Posted by Al Ingham

Ever since having to run the 2k run around the school each term, and multiple times during Cross Country season, I’ve actually quite enjoyed it. I still remember that I’d average about 12 minutes for that 2km.

Now that I don’t have to do it, I still enjoy a good run. This used to be in the form of a jog around the block, and I’d think nothing more of it. Don’t get the wrong idea – I don’t want anything more. I’m not inspired to run a marathon or anything. This is purely for personal enlightening. I also find that exercise helps me through the mild depression I go through every now and then.

My running was lacking something though. A jog around the block wasn’t enough. So I began to time myself. That became depressing because I’d set a fast time, and never be able to match it again. I even went as far as to plot my route out on Google Maps to work out how long it was. 2.64km to be exact.

Then I found it. Of course, it requires and iPhone, but it’s one of the first apps I install on my iPhone when I have to restore.

• RunKeeper.com 
• RunKeeper App

Run Keeper changed my running. It uses the GPS to log in my route. That calculates the distance that I have run, whilst I am running. Plug in the headphones, and Run Keeper will notify you of different updates about your pace, speed, time, and distance. You can set how regularly this occurs, by time, or by distance. You can set a play list for Run Keeper to play the music on your iPhone ( I have even set up a “Running” playlist which has songs in it of a certain BPM rate!) for you to enjoy as you run.
One of the features I adore on RunKeeper is the coaching. You can set up your own workouts, or use the workouts provided. I personally use the 20 minute easy workout, as I find anything more than 20 minutes I begin to die. But what the coaching does is sets up different paces for interval training. So for 1 minute, I run at a steady pace. Then for 1:30, I keep a slow pace. This continues until the 20 minutes is up. Couple this with the notifications every 3 minutes of my pace, distance and time.

If your’e serious about running, or even if you’re just doing it for fun or mental maintenance like I am, I would highly recommend you use RunKeeper.