Using Phone Apps Wisely

From my earlier posts on running and cycling apps, you can tell I am a big fan of Strava.  I love being able to both track my accomplishments and be able to compare my stats to other Strava users.  So you can understand why I thought the following story was a bit interesting.

Apparently Strava is being sued by a family of a cyclist that was killed in an accident. The cyclist was going 10 miles over the speed limit on Grizzly Peak in the Berkeley Hills, trying to beat someone else time and lost control of his bicycle.

As with any app, program, MP3 player, or piece of equipment that you use in any activity, the operator of the device needs to use it responsibly.  So what struck me with this story is that, while the rider was trying to use Strava to "beat" another cyclist time going down a dangerous stretch of road, he bears the responsibility of his actions.

Having come across a similar accident a few years back in the Oakland Hills.  The cyclist had been going down hill to fast and slid on wet pavement that was in the shadow of some trees.  We drove him to the hospital where we learned that he had broken his hip.

It is unfortunate that we allow others suffer for our own poor judgement; however, I think it is interesting to blame a piece of software.

To sum up the point I am making, use your GPS, phone app, IPod responsibly.  Know your limits and be modest in your capabilities.  It is OK not to be the crazy one that has the best time.  Push yourself; however, in the realms of reason.

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: 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.