Fat Dad

When I started running it became clear very early that I wanted to track how far, speed and map where I went so I could go back and compare my results and track my improvement while I trained. Many of the runners I have become friends with use a Garmin watch which tracks their heart rate and gps. These devices are excellent resources for tracking all your details and fit comfortably on your wrist.

When it came time to do this myself I already had a heart rate monitor and a gps device built in to my iPhone. I use my ph0ne to listen to music so I already take it with me. It was my mission to find an application for the iPhone which would allow me to track my running stats and let me listen to music. There were many suggestions but after reading the review and features I found Run Keeper. This little application is amazing and does almost everything you would ever want.

The features I find handy are the custom set audio queues. So if your doing 10′s and 1′s you can set it to prompt you through your headphones. You can listen to music while you run and it gives you a great map, and stats after your done. The application has a free version with limited abilities but the paid version is well worth the $9.99 it costs.

Features I would like to see added to it are…

• Auto pause feature for when your waiting at a light. Some of the Garmin watches will not track the time that your standing still which gives you a more accurate pace.
• Ability to drill down on stats and separate. The website gives stats but it would be nice if it let you have more control of those stats. For example if you could see the stats on your running vs walking.
• No phone mode would be a nice feature. I was running with it and someone called. I will never answer the phone when I am in the middle of the run so it would be nice if it could disable that feature. Also the phone call interrupted my music so another reason to disable it.
• More social aspects. They need the ability to bring together runners in your area. It does allow you to find others using Facebook but that is only good for people you know already and not a way to get to know new friends who are runners.
• A safety mode could also be added that if your in one spot standing still for more then 10 minutes a page/email is sent to a preset person with your last know position and maybe a link to google map so they can print it and come find you.

If you do not have an iPhone then I would recommend buying a Garmin as it is a great device. If you do have an iPhone then this app is a great solution.