Tested: Apps to get you moving
You run at least in part to destress from life so bringing your smartphone with you might seem counterintuitive. But apps that track your training and compare it to that of your friends can significantly improve your performance and give you that nudge to get out the front door
RunKeeperThis app keeps it simple but provides everything you need to track your runs (or other activities such as cycling, skiiing and hiking) and provides audio feedback during your workout. It uses GPS only, rather than 3G as well, which improves battery life and eliminates roaming charges if you track runs on overseas trips. Runkeeper emails you when you achieve personal goals and a full featured website lets you view your progress and see how your "street teammates", ie friends, are progressing.
Free. Apple, Android
Strava RunHaving taken the cycling community by storm, Strava has now been tweaked for runners. Strava's unique selling point are "segments", parts of your run, eg a loop of your local park, where you can virtually compete against other users. Strava calls it social fitness. Your runs can automatically be posted to Facebook (you'll flush out the runners among your friends) and Twitter (expect to be abused for auto-posting). Strava provides reams of data for your records and on that basis is probably best suited for slightly more experienced runners.
Free. Apple, Android, GPS devices
Nike+/Adidas MiCoachThe two sports kit giants initially developed apps to work exclusively with their own hardware sensors but now make them available as smartphone activity trackers.
Both offer all the standard features, including website support and social media links and are popular with runners of all levels. Nike+ allows you set goals and pushes you further on your training. MiCoach has some nice extras, such as a guide to stretching post-run and the ability to create a personalised training plan based on a sample run.
Nike+: €1.59. Apple. Android, coming summer 2012
MiCoach: Free. Apple, Android, Blackberry
RunmeterUnlike the other apps here, Runmeter doesn't have an associated website and lets you do everything from within your iPhone with all data stored locally.
If you’re so inclined there are 120 types of announcements Runmeter can make during your session, such as if you start falling off a target pace. With social links including Facebook, Twitter and the running network Dailymile, Runmeter is probably the best choice if strong tracking tools and extensive community features are priorities for you.
€2.39. Apple.
- JOHN COLLINS
Race of
the Week
Mourne Way Marathon, Saturday June 9th
This is actually a combination of races: 5km, 10km, half and full marathons and an 85km ultra. And it's off-road, but the views of the Mourne Mountains (right) will help distract from the challenge. Cost: £20-£50. 26extreme.com
Medals of honour: The black toenail
What:Pretty much everyone who is doing longer distances, or hill running, will know what it's like to look down at their feet and see a black toe, a loose toenail, or several of each.
It can be a bit of a surprise when it first happens, although there’s nothing quite like taking off your sock after a run and having to search for a missing toenail.
How:The pressure on the toes and toenails, either from a tight shoe or sock, or from the thousands of steps put in week after week, causes blood blisters and fluid to build up under the nail. There can be pain when it first happens, but that will usually ease off.
Gradually, the old nail will be pushed out by a new one. That new one might be a bit twisted and warped at first, but it will smooth out in time.
Prevention: Make sure you've got the right footwear – not too tight but not too loose either.
There’s some online advice about sterilising and heating paper clips until red hot, and piercing the blister. Ignore this advice.
Running tracks
Everyone can run to ‘Eye of the Tiger’, but we took to Twitter to ask for your nominations for “Surprisingly Good Running Music”. Try this playlist . . .
@niallc74 I was surprised by how easy it was to run to Lou Reed’s Street Hassle. Got lost in it and forgot how much I hate running
@kenlukesmith Surprisingly? Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack for The Last Temptation Of Christ
@tony_mcguinness Cliff Martinez soundtrack to Solaris (Soderbergh re-make)
@MedEdHead Just checked 10km playlist – Pat Benatar, Love is a Battlefield. Oopsies
@colmheaney Girl Talk mash-ups always give me a boost
@DarraghMc Wendy Carlos’s opening Clockwork Orange bit as epic warm up for stretches
@philipeconnolly Untrue by Burial and Gangs by And So I Watch You From Afar are really good
@brendanbelfast I like Springsteen’s ‘Magic’ which is about seven miles long
@fionakearney Currently Kate Bush and perhaps sadly, podcasts from iTunes U. Hardcore pace I have not
@DeeBren6 Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin – old-school soul gets you digging deep when you are struggling
