If you follow me on Facebook and Twitter then you’ve probably noticed the self-promoting “I’m Running!” run updates. The look like this:
Besides the obvious (I’m bragging about how far I’ve run), the updates have become a way for me to track how much I’m running and where I’m running and compare it with others in my area. The link on the Twitter and Facebook updates will take to the greatness of RunKeeper. Check this out. Here is how it works.
I installed the RunKeeper app on my iPhone. There is a free version, but after using the Free Version for a few days I upgraded to the $9.99 paid version. The only difference is that the Pro Version allows you to set your own training schedule. I’ll get to that…
With the free version you turn on the app, select what iPod playlist you want to listen to, tell it how often you want verbal updates (every mile? every kilometer? every minute?, etc…), press the start button and run. The RunKeeper app takes advantage of the GPS location tracker to track where you are running, thereby telling you how long you’ve been running. Genius! And yes, you can set your type of activity to cycling or other outdoor activities. You can even do things like swimming and treadmill walking; but of course you have to enter the data into your RunKeeper account after the workout.
Here is where it gets good. The paid version of the RunKeeper app allowed me to setup training specific to what I’m doing. I was running the Couch to 5K program that you see so often online, and found a variation of this program from RunningMateMedia.com that I liked. However, when I downloaded the podcast from Running Mate with built in verbal cues telling me when to run and when to walk it was also full of cues telling me what shoes to buy and what websites to visit. Who wants to listen to ads while running? Here is where RunKeeper proved worth the money. RunKeeper allows me to setup exactly what cues I want, and then it interrupts my playlist at the appropriate times to tell me when to run and when to walk, and it even tells me my mileage, time, and pace.
Here is what I am using:
- iPhone 3GS
- Apple stock white earphones // I’d love a new running set. Gifts can be my love language…
- RunKeeper Pro Application
- eForce City Sport Armband Case Cover for iPHone 3G // Yes, it is only 0.18 cents on Amazon. It’s cheap, but sturdy and works for what I need it for.
- Nike Initiator Running Shoes // But I have my eyes on a pair of New Balance shoes…
You can check out all my stored runs with RunKeeper HERE and follow along by visiting my Facebook and Twitter feeds. And this October 2nd I’ll be running in the 2010 Komen Lubbock Race for the Cure with a group of friends. It’s only a 5K, so it shouldn’t kill me! If you’re in Lubbock you should join us!
