R & R with Rachel (Rants and Raves with Rachel): Let's Get Appy

Recently, I bought a smartphone. While I consider myself technologically savvy I never really had a need for one. Even now, a month later, I don't use it very often. One of the features I do like about the phone however, is that a running app can replace my ancient Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS which was big and bulky on my arm and lost its signal if it was cloudy or if I was running in an area where there were a lot of trees blocking the sky.

Now comes the hard part, picking the running app that is the best for me. I admit, I am a little obsessed with how far I run, walk or bike on each outing so obviously telling me that information is important. I also like to know how fast (or in my case how slow) I have ran that distance. The interface needs to be a large enough font so that my aging eyes can read it. Being able to save the information on my various runs would also be helpful though not imperative, and it would be great if I could transmit those stats wirelessly to my computer.

With all these requirements in mind, I started my research. I never imagined just how many running apps existed! I compiled a long list of apps that were given good reviews in various articles and plan on reviewing and critiquing each one on the basis of my needs. To whittle down the list a little I did start with the criteria of the following: the app had to be available for an ios device, it did not need any other paraphernalia to operate and the basic service had to be free. Here is the list of fourteen apps I plan on testing: Adidas Mi-Coach, Endonmondo, GPS Pro: Garmin Connect Mobile, Map My Run, Nike+ Running, Pear Training, Pumatrac, RunKeeper, Runmeter Pro, Runtastic, Strava, Up, Walkmeter, Wahoo Fitness.

I'll keep you posted! Meanwhile feel free to try some of these apps out yourself and let me know!