My Walking + Running Data on iOS 8

Since upgrading to iOS 8, I have been tracking my running data using Apple's Health app.  With my old iPhone 5 running iOS8, I had been manually entering my run distances--I know that I could pair the Health app with a variety of running apps to have the data tracked automatically, but I stopped using them because they exert a heavy toll on battery life (see my post on running apps for more).  After upgrading to my iPhone 6 Plus, I have enabled Fitness Tracking (Settings > Privacy > Motion & Fitness) and feel that my running distances are tracked fairly accurately with the motion sensors that consume far less energy than GPS.  Here's what my Walking + Running dashboard looks like:

Note the spike in activity during the March 28 to April 3 timeframe--that's when I went on a cruise (see this blog post for more) and ran on the ship's treadmill 1-2 times/day.  Speaking of treadmills, despite turning on the iPhone Fitness Tracking option, I still have to manually input my treadmill run distances because I don't carry my phone in my hands when I run on treadmills, so my phone is not able to estimate run distances.  Even if I did hold my phone while running on the treadmill, I wonder how accurate the data would be--perhaps I'll experiment with that scenario and blog about it later.

One thing I wish the Health app would do is to somehow differentiate between walking and running distances rather than merging them into a single "Walking + Running" distance.  I can understand why Apple did this for technical simplicity, but I personally don't consider my daily walking distances to count as exercise--rather, that is simply a byproduct of being alive (for me personally--I know that many people walk for exercise as well which is great).  Running, on the other hand, is what I prefer to track separately because I do it with the intent of improving fitness.

In any case, I am not really sure what I will do with this data in the future, but I expect that someone will write a cool app using HealthKit that will leverage personal health data to present insightful analytics and/or personalized recommendations to improve health and well-being.  Oh developer, where art thou?

Running Apps

I've experimented with a variety of running apps for my iPhone in the last year, so I thought I'd briefly review my impressions of each one.  Despite me using the free versions of each of the running apps, they all had more features than I was interested in using, so I am only commenting on the features that I felt were pertinent to me.  I'm sure you can get a more comprehensive review of the features and functions of each app elsewhere.  Furthermore, I'm sure you could be doing something far more productive than reading this blog, but I digress.  Lastly, I assume that the iOS (Apple) and Android (Apple copycat) versions of these apps are identical in features and functions, but I have not verified so can't say so for sure.

Map My Run.  As with all the running apps that I reviewed, there is the ability to post results from each run to social media.  One interesting feature is Route Genius which suggests routes in your area, using your home as the start and finish.  Perhaps I would have explored this feature further, but I found the prominent ads to be too obtrusive, so I deleted the app after using it only 2 or 3 times.  Buh-bye!

RunKeeper.  This is a pretty good app as far as run tracking.  It reports the usual statistics like distance, time, total elevation gain, and calories burned.  While there are reminders to upgrade from Basic to Elite, I didn't find them overly obtrusive.  However, I was very disappointed to find that after I had wiped my phone (possibly the topic of another blog post) and reinstalled the app, my activity history had disappeared!  I could not retrieve my run details even after logging into my account.  Why did the app not store my data in the cloud?  All the time I spent pounding the pavement was forgotten by this naughty app.  Was there a bug?  Was it user error?  Either way, I no longer trusted the app with my data.  Given the plethora of other running apps, I saw no choice but to end my relationship with every last bit and byte of RunKeeper (or perhaps I should say RunLoser).  Poof.

Strava.  This app used to be called Strava Run until they recently combined their running and cycling apps into one.  In addition to tracking the usual run details, I like the way this app presents a detailed elevation map, mile-by-mile splits, and I also like how you can type a name/description for each of your runs (e.g., "Friday afternoon, running away from rabid fans who had mistaken me for Jeremy Lin").  There are messages to upgrade to a Premium account, but they are not too obtrusive.  Of the apps that I reviewed, I believe (someone please correct me if I'm mistaken) that Strava was the first to introduce auto-pause and also the first to allow you to define Privacy Zones so you can hide the exact location of your home, office, concubine residences, or other locations.  It also stores data in the cloud, so your data is safe even if you need to delete the app or wipe your phone.  Solid performance all around, no major downsides, definitely a keeper.

Nike+ Running.  Run details, check.  Social media postings, check.  Auto-pause, check.  Compete with friends, check.  Cloud storage, check.  Unique to this app is that for each run it automatically tags weather conditions based on your GPS coordinates, and you can also document how you felt (unstoppable, awesome, so-so, tired, or injured), where you ran (beach, road, trail, or track), and which shoes you wore (if you are really into your shoes--I am not).  I had expected this app to heavily promote Nike products, but I felt that they handled it well by putting all of their promotional materials in a menu option called "Shop Nike" which stays out of your way unless you purposely navigate to it.  Of course the Nike swoosh is displayed on many screens, but I felt that the interface was presented in a way that respected my desire to not be bombarded by marketing propaganda.  Another solid performer with no major downers, also a keeper.

And the winner is... none.  After several months, I deleted all of the running apps from my phone.  Why?  First, the social media stuff got old pretty quickly.  I realized that nobody really cared about my run logs but me.  Sure, some people congratulated me on Facebook and gave me encouragement to keep running at first, but then there was silence.  Were they tired of the same old posts?  Was I sounding boastful?  Nixed.  Second, the GPS is power-hungry!  I've started runs with 40% battery life, only to have the battery die by the time I completed my run, and I don't typically run for more than 6-7 miles at a time which could take 70-90 minutes or sometimes a bit more, depending on where I run and how many stops I make along the way (e.g., picking up my daughter from school, pushing her in the jogging stroller to her swim lessons).  Having to constantly recharge my phone was a nuisance.  Finally, I sustained some injuries which resulted in me running a lot less, so I wasn't using the apps regularly.

I hope this helps people who are evaluating running apps for the first time or people who are thinking of switching to a different one.  What are your favorite running apps and why?