How To Interpret The Information Our Runner Apps Give Us As We Train.
I pass by other runners all the time when I’m out training. Usually a runners wave or nod is all the communication that happens. But I’d be willing to bet money, that if the questions were posed, “What mile are you on? And what are your average splits?”, 99.99% of us would be able to give a reply. Posting our runs and splits on Instagram is something that runners just do. Running apps are absolutely THE THING in the runner’s community.
The first time I was introduced to a running app was in late 2014 by a co-worker, Endomondo Sports Tracker. Back then I didn’t do much running. I definitely had no idea that I’d be a marathon runner one day. So I give training with running apps it’s share of credit for motivating over the past 6 years. In fact, I haven’t set out on a training run since without tracking my miles. There’s just something about that GPS voice that calls out each mile and split time that I just don’t get tired of hearing (Even if it’s interrupting the best part of the song on my running playlist. Hey gotta have the music too).
Recalling the training for my first marathon, I can remember having very high expectations on my finish time. I’d boldly tell people that would reach the finish line in about 3:20. And that was projected based on the 20 milers I was tracking at roughly 2 hours & 40–45 minutes. Nothing too far off on that projection based on the math. I actually finished my first marathon in 4:47. Still not bad. But not even close to my projection based on training miles. So what was the difference?
Five marathons later, I tend to do my training runs at a pace more rigorous than actual race day. And I’ve logged just over 5000 total training miles. But the splits that I’m logging through my running apps aren’t accounting for time I get to rest and recover at red lights. Definitely won’t have that advantage on race day. And the ultimate reality, no running app is totally accurate, through no fault of their own. I’ve used 3 running apps during my 6 short years as a runner; Endomondo, UA MapMyRun, and Strava. Along with tracking my splits, I’ve also cross checked the distances with Google Maps. Of the 3, Endomondo (which has retired their services as of 1/2021. This has been the app of use the vast majority of the time for me)was definitely the most consistent from a distance tracking standpoint with Google Maps. What wasn’t so great about that app was the auto-pause feature. There would be times where it might take a full 30 seconds to recognize that I’ve stopped at a red light. UA MayMyRun, a very popular app, tends to have the same auto pause woes in my experience. I moved on from this app after a short time, noticing that it wouldn’t recognize when I’ve begun moving. Although, I know a lot of runners that use this app and say it works great for them. Now Strava seems to be the most popular out of the 3 that I’ve used. My favorite thing about this one is the auto-pause feature works great. I’ve tracked 350 miles with Strava thus far. Unfortunately, this app seems to be least accurate of the 3 when tracking distance.
Three of my recent runs show an 8 miler that cross checked to be 7.9 miles, at 10 miler that cross checked to 9.7, and a 14 miler that google maps showed to be only 13.2 miles. Respectively differences of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.8 tenths of a mile, showing a trend of losing accuracy with greater distance. Not that I really needed that cross check. I’ve become very familiar with my routes, and mile markers over the years. So it was easy to see that we’re tracking miles a bit short these days.
Races that are certified by USATF use what’s called a Jones Counter to measure race distance. It’s a device that measures the revolutions of bike wheel(Measuring out a race distance is very grueling work).
Now I’ll still use Strava going forward. The purpose of this article to help any new runner that’s training for their first race understand that data our running apps give us. Take it for what it is, & use it as a guide as you train. But don’t put too much stock into those numbers. Train On! And by all means, keep posting those run splits on Instagram!
