Running With My iPhone And Runmeter

Besides my shoes, when I'm running, there is one thing that I don't leave home without: my iPhone.  It serves as my running companion, my coach and what I will call my "stride guide".  When I was cycling, I used a Garmin Edge 705 GPS-enabled cycling computer to record the details of my rides.  However, I was disappointed with the accuracy of the Garmin's calorie algorithm; the calories expended during a particular ride seemed to always be inflated.  I started using my Suunto T6 HRM wrist top watch (again) to more accurately ascertain my caloric output.  For emergencies, I also carried my iPhone in a jersey pocket.  I began recording my rides on my iPhone using MapMyRide, mainly because I did not like Garmin's proprietary software (Garmin Training Center), which, at the time, seemed a bit lacking.

When I started running, I quickly decided to run with only one device.  For one, you don't have the pockets of a cycling jersey nor the stem/handlebar of a bike to attach things to.  I also wanted to use music, selected by their beat, to provide a specific tempo (180 bpm) in which to run to.  Because I was already using MapMyRide, the iPhone served as the ideal "all-in-one" platform, especially after iOS 4 allowed multitasking.  I began using MapMyRun, which was essentially identical to MapMyRide.  After reading an article about other iPhone-based running apps, I decided to try a few others. I downloaded and used RunKeeper for a bit, along with Runmeter.  On some workouts, I even ran programs simultaneously.  Over time, I quickly discovered that, after my runs, I was referring to one program more than the others.  Judging by the title of this blog entry, one could easily surmise which program stood tall:  Runmeter!

Why do I like Runmeter?  All of the above-mentioned programs track your time, distance and pace, do GPS map-tracking, allow music to be played simultaneously, can announce various details during the run (e.g. pace, mileage, time) and provide detailed post-run data and/or graphs.  Of course, both RunKeeper and MapMyRun steer you to sign-up for their "premium" services, which have subscription fees.  The attractive feature of Runmeter is that all the data is self-contained on the iPhone.  Let me explain.  With RunKeeper and MapMyRun, data generated by both programs is uploaded to their web-based applications.  Once uploaded, the data from a particular run can be viewed, compared and manipulated to your heart's desire.  Certainly appealing to many.  In comparison, all of the data garnered while using Runmeter is what they call "iPhone-centric" . . . both the data collection (run tracking) and the data visualization are done on the iPhone itself.  It is no longer necessary to have to login to a website to interpret your data!  Read on . . .

Click for larger view

Some features that I find useful:

• Calendar View, which shows all of your runs, along with an arrow that details whether a particular run was better, equal to or worse than your median run. 

• Announcements. The ability to tailor what announcements (run details) you'd like to hear during your run, along with the announcement frequency.  I typically set Runmeter to announce my distance, time, pace/speed, average pace and clock (time of day) every half mile.  Runmeter will then briefly pause a song to announce these details, then resume the song.  Although I set these announcements to occur every half mile, Runmeter can be programmed to make these announcements at other mileage increments or at certain time intervals!

•  Email Updates. The ability to email updates to any email address of your choosing during and after a run. Much like the Announcements feature, this feature is highly configurable.  You can have Runmeter email your loved ones at certain mileage intervals, so that they know where you are.  This email can contain a map link, which can then be viewed in a browser.  At the end of each run, I like to export each run's details via this email feature.  I simply send an email to myself.  This essentially serves as a "backup" of my data.  Note that these emails can have the GPS data formatted as a Google Maps url or a GPX file (along with KML or CSV formats) so that I can import it into any program that accepts GPX data!

• Automatic Stop Detection.  Senses when you stop moving and adjusts the time accordingly, so that your elapsed time and other statistics cover only when you are moving.

• Social Media Integration.  For those of you who tweet, Runmeter does Twitter and Facebook.  Your wall or timeline can be automatically updated with your run status at a time interval of your choosing. 

In summary, Runmeter is a great running application that I use with admiration and pleasure each time I run.  The one feature that I'm hoping will be incorporated in a future release is the ability to input a run pace "goal" before the start of a run.  Say I want to average an 8:30 mile over the course of 10 miles.  I could enter 8:30 as my goal pace, and then have Runkeeper announce at certain intervals whether I'm ahead of or behind my goal pace or a "ghost runner".  I have noticed that Abvio seems to update Runmeter at regular intervals, continually trying to fine-tune their wonderful app. I should also mention that I have installed Run Coach on my iPhone, but really haven't had the chance to use it.  It does differ from Runmeter, RunKeeper and MapMyRun in that it is oriented towards that of a personalized training plan in which you follow to accomplish certain running goals.  For instance, say I plan to do the San Francisco Marathon in July 2011.  I would select the marathon training plan, and input the exact date of the event.  Run Coach would then fabricate a personal running/training schedule, if you will, which "coaches" you for the marathon, given the time frame.  Therefore, it is more of a niche application; not simply a "run data recorder".  Because a marathon in 2011 is my goal, perhaps I could run both Runmeter and Run Coach together?  Enough talk.  Time to get out and run!