Earlier this week, I lost my Apple Watch. It’s been on my wrist basically non-stop for the past 5 years, and it’s how I’ve tracked all my running miles over those years — as soon as I’m done, my watch uploads it to Strava, where I share it with many of you all.
I know I’ll find it sooner or later, but for right now, it’s kind of a pain in the patoot. So, I’m back to keeping a running journal with pen and paper, just because I like to know the progress I’m making.
How do you keep track of your running miles, (or kilometers) — by distance, or by time? And how do you record it — in a device like a smartwatch, or in a running journal?
And if it’s the latter, do you note anything besides just the basics — do you write how the run went, take photos on your runs, or anything else?
I love hearing what others’ habits are like, as I always learn so much from you 👍 — Terrell
I have kept a running/exercise journal since the late 70’s—distance, time, etc. Also now enjoy the Nike app and Apple watch. Finishing runs and bike rides in the same day is a good day😎😎
i use a garmin forerunner and upload to strava. i need a simple watch and don't use hardly any features except to record my runs and occasionally look at my pace. i used to have a tom tom which was really easy to use but it broke and they don't make replacement parts. i don't even think they exist anymore. so many crazy watch options to choose from these days!
Wonderful to see all the technological functions runners use nowadays! I'm still in the paper and pencil mode. Started after my first Chi Running Workshop in 2012. Kept a journal of running times until I discovered Map My Run. I've kept records/maps there since 2013; however,the journal and some kind of paper training program from Chi Running are mainstays on my desk!
For the longest time, I used my little, old Timex to keep a rough idea of the times and then wrote them down in the Journal and on MMR. Timex changed its watchband so it did not fit. I quit wearing it. Now, I use my phone. It's nice because I can send a message when I've turned around and am coming home. Good to keep my daughter informed. She worries about me being alone on the Trail. With the phone, I normally take a photo everyday of something interesting. It is a chronological record of when the seasons change. . .which is not too much. Leafing out and bloom times are pretty much the same date every year, in spite of what is said about global warming!
I tried Strava once for a race as it was required. Never again! I also find it depressing to see the same person bragging day after day about how fast they can move.
I run because I run and am happy that I am still able to do so! :)
I'm a premium Strava user. I've been using it for years. I measure miles, but I pace is really where I focus. My recording device is an Apple Watch. I also use an Polar HR chest strap so I don't have to worry about having the wrist strap on the Apple Watch real tight.
The other stuff I run with... When I run on the local multi-use paths, I don't over prepare. When I go on a long run that may include residential areas, I carry some spicy sauce (POM pepper spray) to dissuade dogs of the four-legged and two-legged variety. I also recently started running with a hat instead of a headband. The increased surface area lets me shed sweat easier. The challenge is that I have to turn it around when the water pours off the bill (better than through my eyes), and then the sweat hits my heels until my shoes are wet. I sweat like a congressman in confessional when I run.
Pace to Race app and I Phone. Time, Distance, 1/4 mile and total pace and whether you are ahead or behind your goal pace. Charts your runs and will interface with strava.
I used an Apple Watch for a few years & loved it, but it would die half way thru my races, so I finally bought a Garmin watch. It plays music & keeps track of my miles, heartbeats, etc. My only complaint is that I can’t get it to sync to Strava. I have tried & tried. I’m about ready to pay someone to help me.
I've been "married" to Polar watches since 2008, currently using their Vantage V model linked to Polar Flow. Love Polar for all the analytics and reliability over the years...I can easily access all my historical training records on their private site anytime. They have a feature called re-live that pulls up Google earth and walks me back through specific running routes offering stats on how fast (or slow) I climbed a specific hill, etc. Yep, I'm a bit of a geek 🤪 and thankfully so is the Polar team!
I’ve been using the Pacer App since before I ran regularly to keep track of my steps, walks, and hikes. I started using it to track my runs. Once I started training for races, though, I decided I wanted a fitness watch so I could see my pace, distance, and heart rate as I ran. I bought a Garmin Forerunner 235 and uploaded my runs on Strava. But! I’m so paranoid that I also continue to use the Pacer App just in case.
A few months ago, my watch quit. I wasn’t training, so I have been keeping track directly on Strava App as well as Pacer. I’m going to buy a new watch, though when I start training again. Appreciate all these recommendations!
I have a Garmin Fenix 5S (which replaced my 220), so I have tracked all my runs on Garmin Connect for about 8 years. However, I started my running ‘career’ using a phone-based app called SportsTracker (European, since my Austria-residing brother got me into running), so I still use it as my ‘just in case’ app. It’s saved my bacon a few times to use both apps, mainly when either my watch or my phone have run out of battery!
I’m a luddite who will never trust electronic devices to be there when I need them. I’ve been through multiple phones and gps watches, which have been useful, but not always dependable. I do use them for capturing the metrics of any individual run or strength development drill, but then I immediately transfer the info to my paper log. For runs, I keep a record of time, distance, speed and pace. For strength, weight and reps for core, upper and lower body exercises. And for humility, I also record my weight. This primitive system has worked well for me. I have complete records back to 2005 when I started serious fitness work. (The 5 pounds gained since 2005 annoy me, but now with winter about gone and the gym relatively safe from covid, I am going to make them go away).
Hi Terrell! I too was an Apple Watch user until last summer. I found the GPS not working well for me (sometimes it had me flying over a river, which sadly, I can't do). I switched to a Garmin and have been very happy. I run with peeps that use Garmin or Apple and I find the Garmin is more accurate when I use it in a race for distance. I like the stats it gives me back (real time pace, heart rate, etc.). The pace and heart rate in real time were a big deal for me as I unhook heart rate training. Happy running!
I read what everyone wrote before replying. When I cleaned out my night table a while ago, i came across my running journals I receive from Running's World magazine years earlier. I scrolled through some and realized, I actually filled in all the blanks... distance, time, pace, weather and how my run went. I have an Apple 5 and the only time it leaves my wrist is when it's on the charger... it tracks what I do, but they new ones do so much more than the first ones...
I have the Nike one and also cell service. I love all the things it does and am looking to upgrade to the 7 in a couple of months... my crystal is pretty banged up. I have stumbled and had it ask me if I fell and have to tell it no and keep on running. However, maybe one of these days I'm going to take a tumble early one morning and actually be hurt and need help... I may not use all the options on my watch, but I'm sure glad they are available...
I track pace and distance on my apple watch (although wear a Garmin if I'm running from my office) but have always kept a second log via excel to track food, mood, weather and how it impacted a run. I'm currently logging all info about runs and workouts in Final Surge, which my current coach is using. Its a great app for birds eye view of what I'm doing and feeling.
I use a Garmin and Strava for everyday tracking which I love - I like seeing what other people are doing and where/how far they're running! But I've also found it really useful in training if I need to run X number of kms, I can look back and see what route I did before for that distance.
I'm also currently using a paper running journal which my partner got me for Christmas - I was a bit sceptical about having another record at first but I'm currently training for something specific (a 50k ultra, further than I've ever run before) and it's really nice to have a record of all the training I'm doing for it in a physical form. It also means that I can include things I want to remember about certain runs but don't necessarily want to put in a public forum!
Garmin Forerunner 235. This year is about less tracking and more joy of running for me. Being "married to the watch" can be exasperating...especially when I start comparing myself to others!
I have been using Garmin watches since I started running several years ago. Currently have the Fenix 6S and I love it. I took advantage of the sale they had at Christmas. I also have an Apple Watch that I’m wearing as a participant in a brain study (yes, I’m wearing 2 watches, don’t judge, lol!). I find that the Garmin is more accurate with distance for some reason. I also use a paper journal to track workouts. In there I document distance or type of workout along with how I felt or anything else that I think important.
I got a Garmin a few years ago when I was training for my first marathon, which was great, but for the past year or so I've been using the Fitbit Charge 4 as my day-to-day watch/run tracker and I love it! So simple to use and gives me all the basics (pace, distance, heart rate)
I use the Nike Running Club (Android) app on my phone. It gives accurate results about time, route, effort etc. I used to have Mi 4C band, which I liked but some of the info it recorded, particularly times, were clearly wrong. The guided runs on NRC are really useful.
Good morning. I've had a Fitbit for 5+ years now - presently still have the Charge 2 [too cheap to buy a new one] and use it to track mileage. I do look at it too much, at least not about miles.
As I age, soon to begin my 75th Sun revolution, my running goals are quite modest. But I find, that if I fail to track them (daily journal) I will fail to achieve. My personality, “closet Type A” (closet because no one notices how competitive I really am) requires many carrots to keep me motivated. I no longer need awards or recognition. I just need to smile at myself in the mirror knowing “I did it”.
I used to keep track in my journal but now I just use my Nike Apple Watch. If I run using the Nike app, I can also add my shoes to the run to keep track of the distance on my shoes as well.
Hello! The lil ol' Fitbit Charge 4 gives me the information I'm most interested in: pace, distance, heart rate, and time of day (I use the latter as a rough proxy for the temperature and my energy level). I'm glad to have that, and especially gps, but that's plenty for me for my casual tracking purposes.
I have used Map My Run for about 5-1/2 years. I used my phone until Dec ‘20 when I bought my first ever smart watch. (Apple) I love the freedom of not having a phone on my hip or arm. I had not ever considered journaling. I review my history on MMR periodically but not a lot of details. I will try to start doing that. Great idea!
I have my first half of the season this Sun. The Cincinnati Heart walk. Benefits the AHA. I am not nearly ready for it but will just slow down if I have to. I am excited to get the season started and look forward to at least 2 more this year!
Good morning! I used to only track my runs on my smart watch but for the last month I have been keeping a running journal (an excel file) and have just been tracking how I've been feeling during my runs and my mileage/workout. I feel like it's helped me plan out my runs/workouts better as I notice trends.
Used to use the Adidas running app but now use a Fitbit Charge 5. Gets the job done!
I have kept a running/exercise journal since the late 70’s—distance, time, etc. Also now enjoy the Nike app and Apple watch. Finishing runs and bike rides in the same day is a good day😎😎
i use a garmin forerunner and upload to strava. i need a simple watch and don't use hardly any features except to record my runs and occasionally look at my pace. i used to have a tom tom which was really easy to use but it broke and they don't make replacement parts. i don't even think they exist anymore. so many crazy watch options to choose from these days!
Hope you find your watch soon!
Wonderful to see all the technological functions runners use nowadays! I'm still in the paper and pencil mode. Started after my first Chi Running Workshop in 2012. Kept a journal of running times until I discovered Map My Run. I've kept records/maps there since 2013; however,the journal and some kind of paper training program from Chi Running are mainstays on my desk!
For the longest time, I used my little, old Timex to keep a rough idea of the times and then wrote them down in the Journal and on MMR. Timex changed its watchband so it did not fit. I quit wearing it. Now, I use my phone. It's nice because I can send a message when I've turned around and am coming home. Good to keep my daughter informed. She worries about me being alone on the Trail. With the phone, I normally take a photo everyday of something interesting. It is a chronological record of when the seasons change. . .which is not too much. Leafing out and bloom times are pretty much the same date every year, in spite of what is said about global warming!
I tried Strava once for a race as it was required. Never again! I also find it depressing to see the same person bragging day after day about how fast they can move.
I run because I run and am happy that I am still able to do so! :)
I'm a premium Strava user. I've been using it for years. I measure miles, but I pace is really where I focus. My recording device is an Apple Watch. I also use an Polar HR chest strap so I don't have to worry about having the wrist strap on the Apple Watch real tight.
The other stuff I run with... When I run on the local multi-use paths, I don't over prepare. When I go on a long run that may include residential areas, I carry some spicy sauce (POM pepper spray) to dissuade dogs of the four-legged and two-legged variety. I also recently started running with a hat instead of a headband. The increased surface area lets me shed sweat easier. The challenge is that I have to turn it around when the water pours off the bill (better than through my eyes), and then the sweat hits my heels until my shoes are wet. I sweat like a congressman in confessional when I run.
Pace to Race app and I Phone. Time, Distance, 1/4 mile and total pace and whether you are ahead or behind your goal pace. Charts your runs and will interface with strava.
I use MapMyRun and I love it. It's perfect since I will not even consider leaving the house to run if I don't have a phone for my music.
I used an Apple Watch for a few years & loved it, but it would die half way thru my races, so I finally bought a Garmin watch. It plays music & keeps track of my miles, heartbeats, etc. My only complaint is that I can’t get it to sync to Strava. I have tried & tried. I’m about ready to pay someone to help me.
I now use Strava, focusing on miles and pace. I also track miles on an Excel spreadsheet.
I've been "married" to Polar watches since 2008, currently using their Vantage V model linked to Polar Flow. Love Polar for all the analytics and reliability over the years...I can easily access all my historical training records on their private site anytime. They have a feature called re-live that pulls up Google earth and walks me back through specific running routes offering stats on how fast (or slow) I climbed a specific hill, etc. Yep, I'm a bit of a geek 🤪 and thankfully so is the Polar team!
Garmin 935 linked to Strava, MapMyRun, and MyFitnessPal. Each has their specific capabilities and there is no one-size-fits-all app.
Have a Garmin ForeRunner 945 that I have linked to Strava
I’ve been using the Pacer App since before I ran regularly to keep track of my steps, walks, and hikes. I started using it to track my runs. Once I started training for races, though, I decided I wanted a fitness watch so I could see my pace, distance, and heart rate as I ran. I bought a Garmin Forerunner 235 and uploaded my runs on Strava. But! I’m so paranoid that I also continue to use the Pacer App just in case.
A few months ago, my watch quit. I wasn’t training, so I have been keeping track directly on Strava App as well as Pacer. I’m going to buy a new watch, though when I start training again. Appreciate all these recommendations!
I have a Garmin Fenix 5S (which replaced my 220), so I have tracked all my runs on Garmin Connect for about 8 years. However, I started my running ‘career’ using a phone-based app called SportsTracker (European, since my Austria-residing brother got me into running), so I still use it as my ‘just in case’ app. It’s saved my bacon a few times to use both apps, mainly when either my watch or my phone have run out of battery!
Suunto Peak 9 watch along with their app. I also use the Adidas app on my phone which I run with to listen to music. I like to compare the two.
I’m a luddite who will never trust electronic devices to be there when I need them. I’ve been through multiple phones and gps watches, which have been useful, but not always dependable. I do use them for capturing the metrics of any individual run or strength development drill, but then I immediately transfer the info to my paper log. For runs, I keep a record of time, distance, speed and pace. For strength, weight and reps for core, upper and lower body exercises. And for humility, I also record my weight. This primitive system has worked well for me. I have complete records back to 2005 when I started serious fitness work. (The 5 pounds gained since 2005 annoy me, but now with winter about gone and the gym relatively safe from covid, I am going to make them go away).
I use the Nike Run Club app!
I use a Garmin and I also have the Map My Run app on my phone which is linked to my Garmin.
Hi Terrell! I too was an Apple Watch user until last summer. I found the GPS not working well for me (sometimes it had me flying over a river, which sadly, I can't do). I switched to a Garmin and have been very happy. I run with peeps that use Garmin or Apple and I find the Garmin is more accurate when I use it in a race for distance. I like the stats it gives me back (real time pace, heart rate, etc.). The pace and heart rate in real time were a big deal for me as I unhook heart rate training. Happy running!
my running is so slow now that I use a calendar instead of a watch!
I read what everyone wrote before replying. When I cleaned out my night table a while ago, i came across my running journals I receive from Running's World magazine years earlier. I scrolled through some and realized, I actually filled in all the blanks... distance, time, pace, weather and how my run went. I have an Apple 5 and the only time it leaves my wrist is when it's on the charger... it tracks what I do, but they new ones do so much more than the first ones...
I have the Nike one and also cell service. I love all the things it does and am looking to upgrade to the 7 in a couple of months... my crystal is pretty banged up. I have stumbled and had it ask me if I fell and have to tell it no and keep on running. However, maybe one of these days I'm going to take a tumble early one morning and actually be hurt and need help... I may not use all the options on my watch, but I'm sure glad they are available...
I have an Apple Watch and then record in an access database
I track pace and distance on my apple watch (although wear a Garmin if I'm running from my office) but have always kept a second log via excel to track food, mood, weather and how it impacted a run. I'm currently logging all info about runs and workouts in Final Surge, which my current coach is using. Its a great app for birds eye view of what I'm doing and feeling.
I use a Garmin and Strava for everyday tracking which I love - I like seeing what other people are doing and where/how far they're running! But I've also found it really useful in training if I need to run X number of kms, I can look back and see what route I did before for that distance.
I'm also currently using a paper running journal which my partner got me for Christmas - I was a bit sceptical about having another record at first but I'm currently training for something specific (a 50k ultra, further than I've ever run before) and it's really nice to have a record of all the training I'm doing for it in a physical form. It also means that I can include things I want to remember about certain runs but don't necessarily want to put in a public forum!
Garmin Forerunner 235. This year is about less tracking and more joy of running for me. Being "married to the watch" can be exasperating...especially when I start comparing myself to others!
I have been using Garmin watches since I started running several years ago. Currently have the Fenix 6S and I love it. I took advantage of the sale they had at Christmas. I also have an Apple Watch that I’m wearing as a participant in a brain study (yes, I’m wearing 2 watches, don’t judge, lol!). I find that the Garmin is more accurate with distance for some reason. I also use a paper journal to track workouts. In there I document distance or type of workout along with how I felt or anything else that I think important.
I got a Garmin a few years ago when I was training for my first marathon, which was great, but for the past year or so I've been using the Fitbit Charge 4 as my day-to-day watch/run tracker and I love it! So simple to use and gives me all the basics (pace, distance, heart rate)
I use the Nike Running Club (Android) app on my phone. It gives accurate results about time, route, effort etc. I used to have Mi 4C band, which I liked but some of the info it recorded, particularly times, were clearly wrong. The guided runs on NRC are really useful.
Good morning. I've had a Fitbit for 5+ years now - presently still have the Charge 2 [too cheap to buy a new one] and use it to track mileage. I do look at it too much, at least not about miles.
As I age, soon to begin my 75th Sun revolution, my running goals are quite modest. But I find, that if I fail to track them (daily journal) I will fail to achieve. My personality, “closet Type A” (closet because no one notices how competitive I really am) requires many carrots to keep me motivated. I no longer need awards or recognition. I just need to smile at myself in the mirror knowing “I did it”.
I used to keep track in my journal but now I just use my Nike Apple Watch. If I run using the Nike app, I can also add my shoes to the run to keep track of the distance on my shoes as well.
Hello! The lil ol' Fitbit Charge 4 gives me the information I'm most interested in: pace, distance, heart rate, and time of day (I use the latter as a rough proxy for the temperature and my energy level). I'm glad to have that, and especially gps, but that's plenty for me for my casual tracking purposes.
I have used Map My Run for about 5-1/2 years. I used my phone until Dec ‘20 when I bought my first ever smart watch. (Apple) I love the freedom of not having a phone on my hip or arm. I had not ever considered journaling. I review my history on MMR periodically but not a lot of details. I will try to start doing that. Great idea!
I have my first half of the season this Sun. The Cincinnati Heart walk. Benefits the AHA. I am not nearly ready for it but will just slow down if I have to. I am excited to get the season started and look forward to at least 2 more this year!
Good morning! I used to only track my runs on my smart watch but for the last month I have been keeping a running journal (an excel file) and have just been tracking how I've been feeling during my runs and my mileage/workout. I feel like it's helped me plan out my runs/workouts better as I notice trends.