The benefits of running are endless. Increased endurance, strength, energy, weight management and improved sleep are just a few. To maximize the benefits and continuously improve your running capabilities, it’s smart to track your stats. Doing so will help you work towards continuous progress, while allowing yourself to look back with pride on your accomplishments. While many find the mere thought of running to be intimidating, you may be surprised to find that next to walking, it’s the most popular participant sport and activity in the world. It requires little skill, minimal equipment and can be done almost anywhere at any time. If you can run from a bear or a bad guy, you’re fully capable of running for exercise. Even if you start super duper small. Want to start by running 10 feet? Fine! Do it. Next time, run 11 feet. There is no minimum distance required to identify as a runner. You just have run in a way that makes you better than you were before. Remember. Fitness is about YOU. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Running Metrics to Track
Average Heart Rate
One of the most important metrics to manage while you run is your heart rate. If your intentions are to increase your cardiovascular capacity, it’s important to run at a pace that is challenging. You don’t have to run at a challenging pace constantly, but it’s wise to include sporadic bursts of speed or incline running that will make you huff and puff. To effectively track your speed, you can use a running pace calculator which will indicate whether you are going faster or slower than your normal pace, or remaining steady.
Changes in Altitude
Another metric worth tracking is the changes in the altitude of your course. The reason behind this is that when you run at places with an elevation above sea level, then there is a greater chance that you will have less oxygen flowing into your system. As a result, you can get dehydrated faster, causing you to tire out sooner.
Hours of Sleep
Having a sufficient amount of sleep before running is smart because proper rest allows the body to maximize running performance. Doing so will allow you to monitor trends. If you’re like most humans on earth, you’ll likely find your running capabilities to be diminished after a poor night’s sleep. Rest is vital to all of your bodily functions so don’t ignore it. In order to play hard, we want you to sleep hard!
Running Apps
To effectively gather your stats while you are running, leverage the apps brought about by the advancements in modern technology. You can install these apps on your mobile devices but make sure that your mobile gadgets are with you while you run. You can also leverage smartwatches that already have built-in apps to track your metrics. In this case, you’ll need to sync your running watch with the app installed in your smartphone to effectively see and visualize your metrics. Below are some of the best running apps that you can choose from.
Strava
Strava is one of the most popular running apps in the market today. It is available for both Android and iOS devices and the best part is that downloading this app is free of charge. However, if you want the premium version of the app, you’ll need to pay for it. Aside from the live performance stats, you can also attain insight into your training programs and gain an additional analysis of your workouts.
Polar Beat
This free app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Like Strava, a premium version of this app is also available for a fee. The free version already gives you sufficient details about your pace, distance covered, time, and course map. Metrics provided are based on your heart rate changes while running.
Runkeeper
You also have the option of installing Runkeeper on your mobile devices to monitor your stats while running. Like the two previous apps above, it is suitable for both Android and iOS devices and has a free version for download. The best part about these apps that you will have the ability to build interval workouts through it. You can even illustrate your runs with images.
Know which metrics you’re hoping to track beforehand. In doing so, you will have a better idea of how you can improve the way you run or which running course is more beneficial for you. Once you identify the stats you need to track, leverage on the advancements in modern technology, and install the apps that will allow you to visualize your metrics. All these apps are geared towards ensuring that you will be able to improve on your running routine and maximize its benefits for your health.
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