5 trail running apps to get you moving

Despite working in a digital agency, writing articles on tech and generally spending most hours of the day in front of a screen of sorts, I am quite an active, outdoorsy person that enjoys regular, challenging exercise.

I’ve hit the gym, pumped the iron and watched as inflatable men slapped one another on the gluteus maximus after a solid set while they rubbed on the deep heat and baby powder in preparation for the next grueling challenge, AC/DC blaring in the background. I’ve also done the road running thing, pounding the pavement for weeks on end to get ready for my first half-marathon which I ran in April.

I must say that I loved every minute of it but I’d always had a fascination with trail running, a sport that is already well-known the world over but just gaining a decent following here in South Africa. So after the 2Oceans Half, I hung up my expensive road shoes and got hold of a nice, rugged looking pair of trail shoes. Long story short, the half marathon was the last time I ran on the road.

There is just something different about running through a dense forest alone, with nothing on your mind but planning your next couple of steps, nothing in your ears except the sound of your breathing, and as you swiftly move through nature you realize that this is where you should always exercise. No man made objects in sight, no hooting cars and no choking on toxic exhaust fumes, just fresh air and the beauty that is mother nature.

But you don’t read Gearburn for fitness articles now do you? That’s why I’ll stop with the evangelism and get to the good stuff. Here are five apps that I use on my trail runs.

Runkeeper — Free

Runners are some of the most number hungry people you’ll ever come across. We keep track of mileage, times, splits and laps, and talk enthusiastically about them with our running buddies afterwards over a cold beer. It can be quite annoying for those around us who don’t care for such things but it is what makes running interesting. Runkeeper tracks and stores all of this data for you with just the touch of a button.

All you do is launch the app, click start, pop your phone into your pocket/bag and you’re off. The app keeps track of your time, your distance, your elevation and also maps out your route on a map for later viewing (or while you’re running, in case you get lost in that forest). If you choose to run with earphones, Runkeeper also plays your music and provides you with in-run audio cues on all the stats that you like. It works well wherever you go and is an absolute must-have.

Awareness! The Headphone App — US$6.99

Often, I’ll decide that I really need to pickup the pace of my next run so that I don’t fall into a comfort zone and can keep evolving as a runner. I find that the best way to do this is with music. I’ve setup a number of playlists on my phone with certain BPM measurements and when I run, I try to match my steps with the beat of the song, and it works. The only problem comes in when you’re actually running.

Sometimes I get so focused on the music that I zone out of the world around me and am therefore prone to risks that I cannot hear. These risks are obvious and avoidable on the road (cars hooting, people shouting etc.) but on the trail, you must remember that it’s nature you’re dealing with, and she’s not that understanding. This is why I use Awareness when running with music blaring.

It makes use of the microphone on your earphones to gauge the volume of your environment and adjusts the volume of your music so that you’re always able to hear what’s happening around you. For example, if you’re running on a mountain path and a rock fall just happens to start, you’ll hear it and get the hell out of the way. It’s pretty pricey, but cheaper than the financial complications of being airlifted to the nearest private hospital.

Camera+ — US$0.99

The only problem with pushing yourself on a trail is that you’re constantly exposed to the beauty around you and often want to just stop and take in all the glory, especially after a long, steep summit or as you approach a really technical single track with a sheer drop to the one side.

All you want to do is share what you’re seeing with those who aren’t with you. There are literally hundreds of different camera apps available on the app store and all have merit, but Camera+ is still my favorite of all time. It’s UI and features are unmatched in my opinion and the stability control feature is terribly important when you’re trying to stay still and catch your breathe at the same time.

Living Earth HD — US$1.99

Of course, when going out on the trail, you need to be aware of the weather conditions and the fact is that these can change very quickly when you’re up in the mountains, so make sure to check conditions in the area on Living Weather before you head out.

It is honestly one of the most beautiful apps on my iPhone and provides you with the most current weather information possible as well as a real-time picture of the earth on your phone. It’s a great app to have on your phone when you’re out in the mountains, just make sure to put your phone in a waterproof bag if rain is forecasted.

Emergency — $0.99

It goes without saying that trail running is a very dangerous sport and that you need to be very careful, especially when you’re out on your own. Nasty falls, broken ankles, being trapped in a deep gorge or lost without any water, these are all highly likely scenarios when you venture out into nature.

Along with all the precautionary measures (tell someone where you’re going and for how long etc.), I use an app called Emergency. All it does is store an emergency number that can be dialed by simply clicking on the icon, very helpful if you’re in pain or in a hurry and can’t look up a number in your address book.

So there you have it, a list of apps that I would recommend for any trail (or road) runner out there. I think these pretty much sum up all your needs on the trail, now if only Volkswagen could create a remote app for my car so that I wouldn’t have to run with my car keys on me!