What tech do you use, to monitor your training? Do you use any at all?
So I’ve been using Strava for the running and cycling as it’s been really useful to monitor progress, especially when we’re going on similar routes local to us.
Being able to see if your average time per kilometer increases or if you’re keeping pace with regular sections of a run or bike can be a great help (but also a hinderance!!) to your training plan.
But what else do you use? I use a couple to keep track of my swimming, but they all involve logging sessions after you’ve done them – so not the accuracy of say Strava that is with you on your run/ride. I’m aware I can attach different devices to my goggle straps… but you could find yourself suddenly spending a small fortune on tech where maybe a session with a personal trainer might be more beneficial…
I’ve been over at the #websummit in Dublin this week, which is another story itself, but came across a couple of start ups that could be of use when training. The first, actually solved a problem I had on my first day arriving in Dublin.
I plotted a route before leaving my hotel, but with my iphone strapped in its case on my arm, every now and then I had to stop, undo it, get my phone out & check the map and see where I needed to go next, how far I’d gone and more importantly… how I was going to get back to my hotel. It’s not ideal as every kilometer or so, I was stopping to look where I was going. It’s not such an issue when you’re using local routes you’re used to, but is frustrating that you’re not on a continuous run as such.
So, to my surprise on day 2 of walking another few km’s around the websummit, I came across RunGoApp. I’ve not started using it yet (got sucked into the nightlife that Dublin has to offer) but essentially it’s a run/cycle app for travellers, or those of you with no sence of direction even in your home towns.
It looks like it does a lot of the normal stuff you’d imagine in a fitness type app ie measuring pace, calories burned, time, distance etc. You can load routes of different cities you’re travelling too or plot your own but the real difference is the turn by turn navigation. Think car satnav, but for running.
It’s sounds so blooming obvious but sometimes its the obvious that sneaks under the radar. For me, it solved an instant problem – I can keep going, music playing and then a little voice telling me which way to turn – love it.
Oh and you can use it offline – so if you do use it abroad, you don’t have to worry about burning $£$ in your pocket when you’re stomping the local pavements. I’m going to put it to the test over the coming weeks as I travel around a few more cities, so lets see how it goes! If you want to check it out, head over to RunGoApp.com
I’ve also been learning a lot about heart rate monitors and how that can help you improve your training… more on that in the future, I think it deserves its own post.
There was some other really cool tech that could come in useful, especially in the winter months. Virtual Reality was a common topic on display. Imagine a turbo trainer for your bike, that was responsive to real life movements (ie leaning into a corner) and then you’re looking into an occulus rift style device covering what looks like serious distance. I don’t really believe you can replace the same senses that you feel in the real outdoors, but if it’s dark / cold / icy / whatever where you train in the winter, it could be a good safe alternative to help keep training up in the darker months.
What do you use? What have you found useful to help track, map or measure your triathlon training? Answers in a comment please 😉