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How Far Did I Run?

How Far Did I Run? Best Ways to Track Your Running Training

Are you looking for the answer to ‘how far did I run?’ If so, you’re not alone. Tracking your metrics is something that many runners will aim for, and this can be done accurately with the right tools.

Keeping tabs on your heart rate, distance run, steps, pace, and terrain is now easier than ever, thanks to the latest tools and technologies. In this article, we will go through the best ways to track your running training.

Best Ways to Track My Run – GPS Running Tools

Smartphone Apps

One of the best ways to track your runs is through smartphone apps. You can keep tabs on important metrics such as pace, distance, and elevation at the touch of a button. There are a variety of free and paid apps to choose from, with some offering a free trial. Take a look a look at our top picks, but be sure to do your own research to find the right run tracking app for you. One of the great things with a smartphone app is that you can position your phone over your running clothes, so it is not as restricted as much as a watch.

Runkeeper

One of the most popular and easy-to-use apps is “Runkeeper”. It’s an excellent app for beginners and provides you with the crucial data to get into a routine. You can access training plans and measure your progress with ease.

Adidas and Nike Apps

The Adidas running app and Nike Run Club app are two other popular apps that offer fantastic features. Nike’s app is gamified, and it allows you to challenge yourself to beat personal goals and also to compete with friends. The Adidas app includes social sharing and has some fantastic analytics displayed in aesthetic graphs and charts.

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GPS Watch

Another way to keep tabs on your distance is with a GPS watch. Some have a built-in GPS, whereas others will require you to carry your smartphone during the run. Garmin and Fitbit are two reliable brands that produce GPS watches with built-in technology. When choosing a watch, be sure to check out the features to see whether they align with your requirements.

Price ranges can vary so you are likely to find a watch that suits your budget. The accuracy of GPS technology is a major advantage and some devices will even let you select how often your location is pinged to satellites.


Google Map My Run – Is it Useful?

If you don’t feel like carrying around a smartphone or watch, you can rely on Google Map My Run. This popular run-mapping website and smartphone app allow you to track routes with an intuitive map of your city. Powered by the technology of Google Maps, you can easily choose a start point and finish point with stops along the way. It is simple to identify routes since they automatically select the nearest roads and trails.

To get started you simply sign up for a free account. Then you fill these details in after your run, and from there, you will be able to instantly track your run. You will get access to real-time stats and totals for the end of your run.

Our Verdict on Google Map My Run

We have tested Google Map My Run extensively, and we found it to be a very useful and easy-to-use tool. The design is clean, and you can track basic stats. You can also break up your runs into smaller courses and analyse the comparison. Moreover, you can plan and save routes whilst also viewing popular routes in the areas.

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Best Running Route Planner

Best Running Route Planner

If you want to find the best running routes, you will need a running route planner. Aside from Google Map My Run, there are planners which have more extensive features. With these apps, you can plan your run confidently and save your routes with ease.

Strava

One of the most popular route planners is Strava. The app is a favourite for runners due to its variety of features, such as tracking and sharing stats. Their route planner tool has undergone recent upgrades, which has made it a standout. You can get fantastic route recommendations based on your location.

Additionally, you can modify your requirements based on terrain and the length of your run, and the app will find the perfect route for you. You can also create your own routes and share them with others. One of the drawbacks of Strava is the fact that this feature is now premium and therefore requires a monthly subscription. However, it is considered one of the best running route planners which means the fee can be justified.

Komoot

Another app that can be considered as the best running planner is Komoot. It is excellent for planning since it takes into account busy roads. You can save and find routes on the app, and one region is available for free. Routes can be synced and saved to your smartphone or watch. The planner will also give you the type of surfaces that your route covers so you can see if your running shoes will be up to the task. Like Strava, Komoot is a fully-featured run tracker as well as a route planner.

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Garmin Connect

Judging by the name, you would think that this next route planner requires a Garmin device. However, you can access Garmin Connect in the app and on their website to create and plan your route. It does a decent job, and the interface is fairly easy to use. To make the most out of it, you would need to sync the route to a Garmin device. There are a number of fantastic Garmin watches available at different price points.

Training Peaks

Training peaks has been the industry leader in analysing training. That being said, it is also one of the best ways to track how far you run and any heart rate or power data you may have. It is widely used by coaches around the world, and can be paired with Strava, Garmin connect, Sunnto, Polar and nearly all other GPS watch manufacturers.

Conclusion

With so many apps and technologies available, it has never been easier to see how far did I run. It doesn’t need to be expensive either, with many free apps and cheaper devices available. Whether you’re just starting out or if you have logged some serious distances already, you will now have a much better idea of the best ways to track your run.

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