Half marathon training has never been easier with these 5 best apps for your Android. Whether you are a beginner runner or seasoned marathoner, there is an app here for you. This list will help make your half marathon training less stressful and more enjoyable.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Half Marathon Training
- Best for First-Timers: Runkeeper
Visit Page https://runkeeper.com
Runkeeper App
Image Credit: Runkeeper/LIVESTRONG.com
Set your race date, distance and goals. Get your program to make it happen. Then track your progress. It’s as simple as that with the Runkeeper (free) basic plan.
For $39.99 per year, the premium version gets you a more personalized plan. The app, courtesy of Asics, uses data from thousands of runners and races, along with your running stats, to create a your perfect online training plan.
“My favorite feature is all of the different workouts you can choose from,” says Alain Saint-Dic, CPT, a coach with Runkeeper. For instance, you can train by pace, duration or repeat distances. You can also pick a goal-focused plan or use the custom workout builder to set your own path.
Runkeeper has also been doing some pretty cool stuff to keep runners connected. To get in some shorter races during your training season, check out virtual team marathons and races. They let you complete legs of the course and then tag in (and track) your teammates.
Download it: iOs, Google Play; Price: free (basic); $39.99/year (premium)
- Best for Support: Nike Run Club
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.com
Nike Run Club App
Image Credit: Nike/LIVESTRONG.com
Nike Run Club is one of the best free half marathon training apps out there, and it’s ideal for runners craving support and guidance, says Trevor Franklin, CPT, a New York City-based certified personal trainer and runner.
Here’s how it works: You choose a run plan based on how many weeks you have until race day. Then, each of your running workouts has a standard and guided version available. Choose guided ones to run with a Nike coach in your ear and get tips and words of encouragement along the way.
You can also choose to do speed, distance, treadmill and long runs depending on how you’re feeling that day. The app even has “tough day easy runs” to help you recover when you’re dragging. Try listening to an inspiring athlete’s story during the run to help keep you going.
Download it: iOs, Google Play; Price: free
- Best for Socializing: Strava
Visit Page https://www.strava.com
Strava App
Image Credit: Strava/LIVESTRONG.com
Strava has all of the must-have tracking features you’d expect from any great running app, but it stands out for its social features.
The coolest one is the ability to run the same paths as your friends, even at different times, says Lindsey Clayton, a senior instructor at Barry’s in New York City and cofounder of the Brave Body Project. You can track your time to compete against both yourself and other runners.
Then, for a $5-per-month annual membership, you can subscribe to a 6- to 12-week half marathon training plan. Each comes in beginner, intermediate and advanced versions.
Pair the app to a smart watch or heart rate monitor for the most detailed stats. All your activity goes onto your feed, where friends can give you “kudos” for runs well done.
“Another feature of the paid version is Beacon, which lets Strava athletes send a text message to up to three safety contacts letting them know about their run,” Clayton says. “The message includes a link to a live GPS-tracked map, so the contact can track a runner’s progress. As a female runner, I think this is a really important feature, especially if I’m going out on a solo run.”
Download it: iOs, Google Play; Price: free (basic); $5/month (premium annual plan)
- Best for Improving Form: Map My Run by Under Armour
Visit Page https://www.mapmyrun.com
Map My Run by Under Armour
Image Credit: Map My Run/LIVESTRONG.com
Map My Run tracks pace, distance and more — just like most solid running apps. But true tech and data lovers can also sync it to their shoes for feedback on exactly how they’re running. You can even get details on your cadence and stride length!
To take advantage of this perk, you need a pair of Under Armour smart shoes, like the UA Flow Velociti Wind Running Shoes (UnderArmour.com/mens, UnderArmour.com/womens; $124.99).
But no matter the shoes you’re wearing, Map My Run puts all of your stats to good use with personalized technique feedback from top run coaches. If competition fuels you, you’ll be happy to know the data also lets you race your friends, Franklin says.
For a fully customized race half marathon training schedule, choose the MVP version for $29.99 per year.
Download it: iOs, Google Play; Price: free (basic); $29.99/year (premium)
- Best for GPS Tracking: Garmin Connect
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.com
Garmin Connect App
Image Credit: Garmin/LIVESTRONG.com
If you already have a Garmin device, the (free) Garmin Connect app is a no-brainer to complement your training regimen.
“The main reason I love it is the GPS tracking,” Franklin says. Because the app uses the Garmin device’s GPS rather than the phone’s tracking, it’s super accurate, he says.
Once you’ve paired the app with your device, sign up for Garmin Coach. Pick your race distance and goal (run or walk, and pace per mile), current fitness level, amount of days you work out and the date of your race. The Forerunner 45S is a solid base-level running watch that works with Garmin Coach (Garmin.com; $139.99).
Then, for true personalization, choose one of three coaches to guide you throughout your training. They’ll give advice that’s unique to you. Meanwhile, your program automatically adjusts based on your performance during recent runs and workouts.
Best half marathon training app for beginners
Runkeeper
Runkeeper asks you to start by setting your goal with either running or walking, then choose a distance from one mile to 5k, all the way through an ultramarathon (Runkeeper has some pretty unique options like fun run and even a kids’ run). From there, set your date. There are time-specific free plans, for example: trying to run a sub-2:30 half marathon? Runkeeper will set you up for 16 weeks of daily training instruction to beat that PR.
There are race-specific programs as well, but there’s a fee for those. If you’re training for the San Francisco Half Marathon, for example, the app has eight-, 12-, and 18-week training plans specific to that course. Because they’re premium plans, they’ll cost you $10 per month or $40 per year, depending on your payment choice.
Nike+ Running
The Nike+ Running program is based on distance and skill level, and they’re optimized for weekend race dates. Under the Coach function in the app, you start a program for a 5k, 10k, half, or full marathon. From there, choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced, and Nike creates a daily schedule, including rest days and cross-training days, when you’ll be encouraged to swim, bike, or take a yoga class. Each day of running will have a goal distance, but the time is totally up to you. Nike’s program is capped at 12 weeks, so if your race date is too far out, it’ll tell you to get five miles per week in until your training program is ready to start.
MapMyRun Trainer Powered by Under Armour
MapMyRun and Under Armour team up to provide free training plans designed by Olympians, from 5k to 50k. In the half marathon program, you can choose from the “Walk-Run,” “Couch to Half,” or “Current Runner” plans. After you’ve chosen a program, pick your long run day of the week, how many runs you’d like to complete per week, and your event date. Track each run from the dashboard, and the app will break down how to run and for how long each day (ex: walk two minutes, run three minutes, repeat).
MY ASICS Run Training
With the options of 5k, five mile, 10k, 10 mile, half, or full marathon, the Asics training app creates a very personal plan. Set your date, your goal time, your previous experience (how long you’ve run before), your PR, age, and gender — Asics then comes up with a prediction based on all your information. You can share your plan on Facebook to cement your commitment to your plan publicly. The more your run, the more the app will assess your pace and adjust your plan to be entirely specific to your needs. Each run day will have a goal pace with notes and instructions.
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