Running Apps Part 3: Strava Running App

This week I conclude my series of running apps.  While there are so many more apps out there other than the five I have reviewed, these are probably the most used and most competitive of the bunch.  You can find the reviews of Map My Fitness and Runtastic here and the reviews for Endomondo and RunKeeper here.

Strava 

I enjoy Strava!!  When I was in the market for a GPS watch, one of the store associates at Sports Basement tuned me into the site.  You can upload your data from any device.  The greatest thing about Strava is that it keeps track of specific segments and compares your activity (running or bicycling) against others who have done the same segment.

Strava actually began as a website used by cyclists to track their performance using their GPS and cadence equipment.  They had a cycling app out a full six months prior to their running app

 I can say their app is pretty simple to use too. The GPS is very accurate, within 1/50^th of a mile.  It is very quick at triangulating your location so you can start quickly on your run.

The frequency of the audio reminders is better with Strava, it will remind you every 0.5 mile which is sufficient to so that you can keep your desired pace.

Picture Courtesy of appeggs.com

But what I really enjoy about this app is that as well as its site is the feature that keeps track of specific segments.  I run the Embarcadero in San Francisco and can either run north through Fisherman’s Wharf to the Marina Green or south, past the ferry building and around AT&T Park.  Along each of these routes I am measured against other runners in specific areas.   

For example, the mile between the Rocket and 3^rd street has over 200 runners.  I have been ranked against these people and myself so I know when I PR or move up in rank.  There are also other fun segments, like “Dodge the Tourist” in Fisherman’s Wharf or how fast you can climb the Filbert Steps  to Coit Tower.

The site does have pretty good statistics, not as much as I like,but are sufficient for the task.  They also will keep track of the mileage you have put on your equipment (shoes and bike). It also will link to your other equipment (heart monitor, cadence, power meter, etc.) if you so choose.

 If I ever chose to sign up for the premium level this is the site I would pick.   This is definitely a fun app.

In Summary

While I just covered five of the apps I have used over the last year, there are many more to try.  The best app will be the app that is easy to use and fits your needs.  For example, for me Audio cues are important (RunKeeper), but maybe you want app to provide you with the extra motivation (Strava), or maybe you want an app that focuses on the social aspect of running (Endomondo), or an all inclusive fitness app (Map My Fitness).  What ever your reason, you will be able to find an app you need.

Running Apps Part 2: Endomondo and RunKeepers

This is the second in a three part series and, as stated in the preview, last week we covered Map My Fitness and Runtastic and next week we cover Strava.  So sit back with your favorite coffee, tea and danish and enjoy this weeks review of Endomondo and RunKeeper.

Endomondo 

There is a lot to like about Endomondo.  They have structured both their app as well as there site to focus more on the social and challenge aspect of running.  There is a lot of content on their site (almost too much) including the random challenge (like how many miles can you run in a month).  Also, there is a lot of ways to analyze your running, cycling or other activities.

The app is pretty easy to use and I like that it isn’t cluttered.  While the audio cues are really good, they only are available in one mile increments and this cannot be adjusted.  To turn this off, it appears you have to upgrade to the Premium Sport Tracker Pro.  The premium level allows you to create customizable time and distance intervals, graph, low power mode, a “beat-your-self” mode, etc.  That said, many of these features are available for free in the Runkeeper app as well as Strava.

I do like the level of analysis though you get as part of the basic program.  You can compare your activities against your personal best as well as keep track of any improvement. Also, many of the pacing information missing on the app you will find on the site.

Basically though, there is nothing here to really have me change to using this app since I would still need the other tracking sites to do the level of analysis that I currently do as well as there being no incentive to pick the premium level.

 

RunKeeper

So I love the RunKeeper App, when it works.  There is so much potential here – the perfect running cues, the ability to set up your intervals, wonderful tools on the site, the ability to race with other RunKeeper members at events.  You can even choose audio cues based on either time or distance. 

However, it amazes me that after months of issues with their GPS tracking in the app, they have not been able to fix what so many other apps do.  So let me elaborate.  So as I have said before, I use my HTC Sensation when running and download my apps from Android market.  Typically what happens is that for the first week or so the app works like a gem doing what it is supposed to do.  Then I get that one run in that it is telling me I am doing pretty good, a 7 minute mile.  Problem is that I am a 8:30 runner.  Then all of  a sudden I am running like I am Meb, doing a sub-5 minute mile!!  Then I am faster than a cheetah, doing a 2 minute mile!!!  

The problem here is the GPS tracking.  For example, my typical 5 mile run (based on my GPS watch and most other apps) on the Embarcadero ends up being a 7 mile run on RunKeeper.  Looking at the map that is created, you can see squiggly lines, which I am assuming are every step I make, which it is factoring in the mileage calculation.  Since the time run is a constant, the division by the mileage makes you feel like Speedy Gonzalez.

This problem is well known and there is even a discussion thread on the RunKeeper site about it.  The tech solution stated on the website is to delete then reinstall every time you have the problem.  To me, this is not a satisfying solution.  What I am finding as the real solution is to really limit what you are asking the app to do which means either run the audio cue every 5 minutes OR every half mile (minimum).  This for me seems to make the app work correctly. 

That said, I really want this app to work, with all of the capabilities!!! There is so much potential here it is a shame that so many people are having problems with this app with very little support on how to fix the problem.

Running App Review Part 1: Map My Fitness and Runtastic

So begins my Friday Product reviews.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I will be discussing  the two apps below this week, followed by RunKeepers and Endomondo next week.   I will end with Strava the following week.

Let me know if you agree with my reviews or you have other running app recommendations.

Map My Fitness

This app is kind of the granddaddy of the bunch.  Originally an one-stop site to track both your fitness and diet, it has since put out apps that interface with their site.  This is the site I began tracking much of my running three years ago since it interfaced nicely with Google maps.

For the most part, it is a sound app.  It does track pretty accurately; however, I stopped using it because it was power hog.  When it first came out, unless you like running with a bulky powerskin, you are good to have an hour to maybe a hour and a half of battery life.  They have since fixed the problem and it now uses power much more efficiently.

The GPS tracking is pretty accurate.  I also run with my Timex Ironman  Global Trainer GPS and the differences between the two are with 1/100^th of a mile (probably because I started on before the other and moved a smidge).

A new feature found on their site is challenges.   Very similar to Strava, you can create segments that you may run on a regular basis, and it will record your achievements and those of other runners that run the same course as a creative way to improve your running.

I am a bit disappointed with the audible.  While you can adjust the frequency, currently it will only provide you an update every mile.  This is fine for a race; however, it very good if you are using it to train with.

Also, and this is why I switched to RunningAhead.com, I over analyze everything.  While Map My Fitness is an one stop shop from a fitness standpoint, allowing you to track your diet and activities, this is a basic site that doesn’t do a good job of in depth tracking and trending.  That you get at the fee based premium level.

Runtastic

I do not recommend this app. While it has so much potential; however, you do not get much through the basic program.  There are a series of premium levels; however, why pay when you can get so much more on the other sites?  

For example, it does have audible cues down to the half mile; however, you need to purchase the premium level if you are going to run further than 1.5 miles (which you are alerted to when you run past that distance).  Also, the metrics provided are very basic, the time you have run, your average miles per hour (not pace) and calories (I can care less on the amount of calories I expend while I am running).

It appears that they are more of a company run by the technology instead of the end user.  For example, I have been getting an e-mail on a regular basis.  I would love to read it; however, it is in German.  Their limited basic service shows that they are focused on marginal revenue instead of wanting consumers to want their product, driving premium membership.

With all the competition, they really need to reexamine their business model.  Strava, RunKeeper, and Map My Fitness provides so much more content at even a basic level, I do not see much adoption by runners other runners which will further hamper innovation at Runtastic.  From my experience, Runtastic is not fantastic.

Running Apps: A Preview

So starting this week, I am beginning product review Fridays.  I’ve realized that one of the reasons I enjoy blogging is that it takes me back to when I was a reviewer on the high school newspaper.  I would review anything from restaurants to movies.  What’s funny is that I would always shy away from doing any type of sports reporting – I was brought up believing sports was a waste of time and to develop more of my “intellectual” side.  It is kind of funny now that I enjoy running and cycling at the level I do. Now that I also working for an Open Access Publishing company, my writers block is gone and I am really enjoying writing again.

Over the years, I have been using different online sites to track both my fitness and diet.  My favorites being  Livestrong.com, LogYourRun.com, and RunningAhead.com. I will review the different sites in another post. 

The greatest challenge though for me has always been the tracking, it has been very manual.  I would map out different routes using the sites mapping program and assume with the that they are at least 95% accurate (which I have since found out that I was correct).  The greatest value though for me to use these sites is at least I can match up my diet with my exercise schedule and tweak it as I go along.  Also, one of the greatest benefits for me has been that I am able to track the mileage I put on my shoes and bike.

So last year I got my first smartphone, a HTC Sensation.  I love this phone!!  I have never been a gadget guy, I am a slow adapter.  That said, I have really enjoyed the different apps from Google Play (android market) I can download, which brings me to this post.

One of the things I look for in a running app what is the ability of the app to provide audible cues that tell me my average pace, current pace, and distance.  Why this is crucial for me is that I wanted the ability to know exactly how fast I was going, especially during a race, so that I could meet my goals.  It also is a motivator during my training runs.  This is something my watch cannot provide.  What also is important to me is the frequency of the cue. For example, if I am training, I like an the cue to tell me the above at the very least every 0.5 mile, preferably every 0.25 mile.  This way I can run fartlek’s to work on my speed.  If I am running a race, I might only want to hear the queue every mile to two miles.

Also important to me is how much of a power drain on my phone it will be.  I do have a power skin; however, it is too bulky to run with.

Finally, I prefer an app that have comprehensive level statistics as well as  the ability to test your mettle  against others using the app as part of its basic features.  This has greatly helped to further motivate me in my training runs.

I downloaded a series of running and exercise apps to use. I tried Map My Fitness, RunKeeper, Endmondo, Runtastic, and am currently using Strava.  That said, I am also running with a Timex Ironman GPS Triathalon watch now, reason being I have been using RunningAhead.com for some time and also have found that some of the apps do not use the power in the smartphone efficiently or they have problems with the GPS (this may be my fault since I keep my phone in my pocket and not on a smartphone arm band holder). 

So this week will contain a review of the Map My Fitness and Runtastic.  Friday July 6th will be a review of RunKeeper and Endomondo.  On Friday, July 13^th I will wind up this series with Strava.