Poor Running Apps

In my second quest in six months to consistently run 3.2 miles, I wanted to make sure I knew the distance of my runs. So, I tested a few running apps. Initially, with no luck. The first app I tried was free. It work well for my husband so I decided to upgrade to the 99 cent version, Pedometer GPS on the iPhone 5.  Time worked fine, but GPS and distance were not tracked. I tried multiple setting adjustments to include background refresh. Nothing worked except for the constant reminder "GPS is weak." I ended up using the free version on my husband's iPhone 4S on weekends. Not ideal but worked for the weekend.

Next, I tried MapMyRun because several of my Facebook friends were using the app with success. But for me it was just as useless. I ended up deleting it from my phone.

After researching the Nike+ Sports Watch and Fuel, I decided to download the free Nike+ Running app for the iPhone. With background refresh set, because it tells you to do it about twenty times, I went for my first run. After a steep up hill run in gale force winds, I took my phone out of my pocket. I couldn't believe it. It actually worked, time, distance, GPS map, calorie count, etc. It worked! I verified the distance with Google Maps. And the app was accurate. It will even track history and personal bests. It looks like I've found the app. The only downside is that is doesn't track walking versus running. I like to do both. I'm curious, though, to see how it will work over time.

The 5K Set Back

The end of the summer I met my goal. I ran 5 kilometers. Running, however, isn't my exercise of choice. But a few pesky pounds needing to disappear, prompted  me to hit the pavement. Clearly something more needed to be done than the limited gym activities. It was over 4 years since I ran any distance of value. I got bit by a dog and lost my morning running partner to sleep. Finally, I decided to try again. And I was actually enjoying it.  I didn't fall victim to the so called "runners high" but rather enjoyed the meditative qualities.

I was proud I met my goal. It actually felt good to say I'm going to do something and achieve it. Of course, there's always something to bring you back down to pavement. Something happened to my left foot. The pain was intense. I wasn't able to walk without a high heel. Ice and stretching therapy became twice daily rituals.  My running partner also experienced this pain, hers on-going for almost a year. Plantar Faciitis. Ouch!   I don't think I could handle the pain for a year. Finally, it eased up. And I wondered would I be able to get back to 5 kilometers? And if I could, should I try for 10?