Map My Run: A First Look

February 18, 2010

Ever since I decided it would be a good idea to actually start running and actually train to do my first marathon before I turn 25, I’ve realized just the tiniest problem. I have no bloody way of tracking how far or fast I’m running. As low tech as I am, I STILL need to know how much progress I’m making if I’m training for something like a marathon.

Annoyingly enough, pretty much all the run tracking thingies are linked to Apple devices. As you all know, I’m just NOT a fan of Apple, the only thing I’ve ever felt they did right was the second generation iPod shuffle, everything else is meh to me. I do have Amelie, my Blackberry and I went online to search my butt off for a running application for Blackberrys, but guess what? There are maybe, less than five of them, two of which I’ve downloaded and turned out to be an utter waste of time and space. And then, there’s MapMyRun.com. They have a Blackberry app. The catch, you gotta subscribe to their gold memebership to the tune of 50 odd USD a year to get it. Even more bloody infuriating is that they have an iPhone app which does not require a membership subscription and can be bought one off at the app shop. EVEN MORE annoying, they have iMapMyRun AND iMapMyRide for the iPhone. Blackberry’s app is for running only.

Oh jeez, why not just say the world hates Blackberrys and be done with?

But, all bitching aside, I signed up for a free membership on MapMyRun.com and tried using it to track my run this morning. Which proved to be kinda helpful in that it gave me a general idea of how far I ran. It also has a calender that will show my training logs and stuff. They have a lovely feature that allows you to search for run routes in your country by other runners, which is pretty rad, all things considered. The other features are a moot for me but they do have a section under training with things like calculating your heart rate zones and a gear tracker to keep track of how many miles your hear are put through. Supposedly, its to ensure you don’t use stuff past the point where they’re good but its not like I give a flying heck, for me, gear gets replaced when it falls apart. Which might explain all the injuries I’m riddled with. -_-

Anyhows, I’ll try using MapMyRun.com for a couple of weeks of training and give it a proper review soon. In the mean time, I’ll just blog my run routes when I remember to. Here’s my route for this morning:

Posted in Geekette, Sports | Tags: Running, Sports, Technology