Running and Technology

I make my living, in part, as a usability specialist.  Usability specialists attempt to make technologies, such as computers and devices, as easy to use as possible.  

Because of this, people sometimes mistake me for a techo-geek.  In fact, the opposite is true.  More often than not, I'm uncomfortable with technologies, find them hard to use, and have to endure a hurdle of fear every time I learn something new.  I found a niche in usability largely because I need it.  And professionally, I make this an advantage: I can relate to the poor souls who suffer through programs and applications the way I do.

As a runner, I'm also very lo-tech and lo-frills.  As Faulkner said about writing: All you need is a pencil, some paper, and a little food.  (Well, actually, he also included a little tobacco and whiskey.  Good ol' Bill.  You get the idea.)  In the same spirit, a runner doesn't need much besides a pair of sneakers and minimal clothing.  I do wear a running watch, but it's a Timex cheapy, not a spiffy Garmin.

But despite my phobias and taste for simplicity, I do try to keep an open mind about gizmos and gadgets.  Show me a technology that enhances my life in some way and I will embrace it.  I have little interest in apps for apps' sake, but I do love the killer app.

This morning I tried the app Map My Run.  It's available on IOS and Android; I used the droid version with my Samsung S4.  That's as technical as I'm going to get.  

I loved this app.

• It's free.  (A feature-rich version does have a price tag, but I doubt I'll need it.)
• It's easy to download and install.
• The essential feature -- take a run and get a report when you're done -- requires nothing other than tapping a few buttons.  (I had some hesitation using it at first because I had trouble believing it was that simple.)
• After my run, I reviewed the report and got everything I wanted, and more: my mileage, my average pace, my splits (1 mile), a Googlemaps-like map of the run.  Plus two great features I wasn't expecting: an elevation map for the entire run, and a continuous chart of my pace over the run.
• Before I saved the report I used a minor but highly useful feature: I made note of some observations I had on the run.  Perfect for the cross-urban blogger.
• Since I also set up a MMR account, I was also able to view the same report on my laptop at the MMR site.  No fee for the account either.

To carry the device, I used an armband specifically designed for the Samsung S4.  While I usually avoid having a lot of gear with me while running, the 5 or 6 ounces strapped to my arm were not at all encumbering.

MMR has many other features (which I may or may not use), but just those described above make this a killer app for me.  Note, though, that this should not be mistaken for a Garmin.  If, for example, you are interested in viewing your pace at any moment from a display on your wrist, MMR is less than optimal.  It's probably best to think of it more for post-run reports than while-you-run monitoring.

I can't wait to take more cross-urban runs with this app.