3 Apple Watch Running Features I Wish I’d Known About Sooner

As a longtime Apple Watch wearer and runner, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the watch’s running features. Turns out, there was still plenty I hadn’t explored, and a few of those features could’ve made training a whole lot easier. With the San Francisco Marathon happening this weekend, I got a crash course in Apple Watch running features from Apple. Most of these work on every model running the latest version of WatchOS, while others are exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra series. These are the features I’m adding to my own training routine. Read more: The Future of Apple Watch AI Isn’t a Chatbot. It’s a Coach @cnetdotcom I got a crash course in Apple Watch running features from the pros, and these are the ones I’m adding to my own training routine: 1. Custom Workouts Build your own training plan in the Fitness app based on time, distance or heart rate zones. Your watch keeps track of each segment and taps your wrist when it’s time to move on. 2. Pacer Set your target pace before a run, and your Apple Watch will help keep you on track so you don’t start too fast or fall behind. 3. Race Route Turn your usual running route into your own personal race. Compare against your best or most recent time and see if you can beat it. I also share a few bonus tips (including a couple of Apple Watch Ultra exclusives) in the full guide linked in our bio. #AppleWatch #SFMarathon #MarathonTraining #allthingsmobile #fitness ♬ Volt Slope – Guitar Whisperer 1. Custom Workouts Instead of trying to remember every interval or warmup, let your Apple Watch guide you through the workout. To build your own workout, open the Fitness app on your iPhone and tap the Workouts tab. Find your workout of choice (Running, in my case), tap the timer icon, select Custom Workout, then scroll to the bottom and tap the + button. Give your workout a name so it’s easy to find later on your watch (try adding an emoji or three), then build your routine. I started mine with two-minutes of warmup drills, but you can also create segments based on distance, time or heart rate zones. You can even repeat an entire sequence so you don’t have to re-create each interval individually, then finish it off with a cooldown if that’s your jam. Once you’re done, the workout automatically syncs to your Apple Watch. The next time you start a run, tap the timer icon, select your custom workout and go. The watch keeps track of every segment and buzzes your wrist when it’s time to move on, so you can focus on running instead of watching the clock. 2. Pacer If you’re the type who gets a little too hyped at the start of a race and ends up burned out halfway through (like me), Pacer can help. From the Running workout on your watch, tap the timer icon, scroll down to Pacer, tap the + button, choose your race distance and enter your goal finish time. The watch calculates the pace you’ll need to maintain. Next, go back to that timer icon on the top right-hand corner of your running workout on the watch, then scroll down to find the Pacer plan you just created. The interface will now show a progress bar on screen instead of your usual stats, which moves to show whether you’re ahead or behind your target pace. Red means you’re falling behind, green means you’re moving faster than your target, and the sweet spot is right in the middle. You can also swipe between screens to see your usual workout stats throughout the run. 3. Race Route If you always run the same neighborhood loop or trail, you might be able to use it to compete against yourself.  Open the Running workout, tap the timer icon, scroll down to Race Route and select one of your saved routes. Then choose whether you want to race against your personal record or your latest run. I’m still working my way back from an injury, so I’ll be using it to chase my previous best.  Bonus Features for Apple Watch Ultra The Ultra models in Apple’s smartwatch line, like the