How to measure my runs?

[bluebug32]

I just started running to give my body a new challenge other than cycling. What's the best affordable and simple way to measure distance, speed, splits, etc? I don't think I'm going far enough to justify a Garmin, but seeing my improvement will definitely help me stick with this.

[HillSlugger]

The Garmin Forerunner 305 is a great watch and is fairly "cheap" these days. The 205 is very similar but can't use a cadence sensor.

[OakLeaf]

If you're running either on roads/sidewalks or on trails that are visible from aerial photography, you can plot your course very accurately on mapmyrun.com .

Then a simple stopwatch can give you the rest of what you need to know. The timers in most phones have lap capability, if you have a way to make your phone's screen accessible when you run. If you have a smartphone, there's an iMapMy app that uses your phone's GPS - the free app is all I've used, and it worked quite well (aside from issues of simply being able to access the phone), but there are pay options as well.

[indigoiis]

I just use mapmyrun, look at the clock before I leave the house and when I get home. I do take a watch on long runs, but nothing fancy. Also, not for nothing but you can feel it when you're running better (or worse) than your base. Set up a few base runs in your neighborhood that you can run once a week so that you can gage improvement.

[bluebug32]

Thanks! It would be nice to know when I've run my fastest mile, etc. Winter is probably the hardest time to start running, but I'll see how long I can hang on before resorting to the trainer or cross country skiis.

I do have an iPhone, so I'll have to look into apps.

[jessmarimba]

Check out the RunKeeper app - it's free and has a gps tracking system. Even let's you start tracking, close the app, and start up some music while it jeeps paying attention.

[Kerry1976]

I use a Garmin 305 (but have used a 201 and 101) to log my runs. I am a strong supporter of RunningAhead.com. It is an amazing place to log your runs and a top-notch community of wonderful people. I can't say enough good about it. Also, there are multiple ways to log your runs (and other activities - it is limitless - i log bikes, strength, aquajogging, etc.) such as on a droid phone, etc. It also has a FB app so your FB friends can cheer you on as you work hard to reach your goals.

[Owlie]

I've been using Google Maps' distance measuring tool (or mapmywhatever, same thing) and a watch to map my...well, I can't really call them runs...brisk walks.

[Susan]

I use Cyclemeter on my iPhone, it can log runs too. You get the total time, average speed per mile, total miles, and can look up your runing (biking)route on google maps.
If you use it every time, you can also see how often you run per month etc.
I like it

If you want to I can PM you a link to one of my runs so you can see how this looks like.

[bluebug32]

Thanks so much for the wonderful recommendations (exactly why I love TE so much!). I tried the RunKeeper app. and I really like it so far. Still investigating the others. Thanks again!

[WindingRoad]

So I just got an iPhone 3G, well I actually don't get it till the end of January when my contract is up. But anyways, do any of these apps work best on the 3G iPhone? I know there is a 4G model out there that probably runs all of these well but unfortunately that wasn't in the budget.

[bluebug32]

So I just got an iPhone 3G, well I actually don't get it till the end of January when my contract is up. But anyways, do any of these apps work best on the 3G iPhone? I know there is a 4G model out there that probably runs all of these well but unfortunately that wasn't in the budget.

When you browse apps in iTunes it will tell you what version of phone the app is compatible with. I also have a 3G and can use most apps. Granted, many of them are now sooo slow and, at times, unresponsive (I guess they want us all to upgrade). Any of the apps that rely on the compass (a feature introduced with the 3GS) won't work on the 3G, but most running apps use the GPS that all the phones have. I've been using RunKeeper on my 3G and love it.

[OakLeaf]

If you can find a 3GS instead of the old 3G, they're much faster, but without any of the problems that made the 4G notorious.

[limewave]

I started with mapmyrun and a stop watch. I came up with a couple loops, 2 mi, 3 mi, and a 5mi. Then I knew where each mile marker was from mapmyrun. My stop watch had a "lap" feature on it so I could tap that at each mile marker.

Now I use the forerunner 305, and LOVE it. I still use mapmyrun to plan new running routes.

[zoom-zoom]

I use RunningAhead.com. Great with or without a Garmin.