Why training apps matter for your next run

Need a little more direction with your running? A training app is the answer, says Ben Lucas, Head Coach of the TCS Sydney Marathon.

Author: Ben Lucas, TCS Sydney Marathon Head Coach

Editor: Lucy E Cousins Here’s the thing, most runners don’t break down during a marathon because they aren’t tough enough. They break down because they’re guessing their way through each training session. Sound familiar?

I see it every year at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS. A runner will sign up for the marathon, start running with good intentions, do a few solid runs early, then suddenly their Achilles is sore, or their knee is cranky.

The problem? They’re running without structure.

How training apps help

When it comes to marathon training, training apps like ASICS Runkeeper app are game changers! Not because tech makes you better (we like you just the way you are), but because it removes decision fatigue. It literally does the thinking for you when it comes to your running.

When you wake up on a random Wednesday morning and your app tells you exactly how long your run is, what amount of effort to put in and why, you’ll understand what I mean. A training app will make sure you don’t overdo it on days you should go easy, and don’t undercook the sessions that actually matter.

One of the biggest mistakes I see with runners in general is they run their easy runs too hard and their hard runs half-hearted. A training app keeps you honest. It teaches patience early on, which is what keeps you healthy later, when it counts.

The unexpected benefit of training apps

There is one very underrated part of using a training app… Any guesses?

It’s being able to watch the data stack up. You can look back after six or eight weeks of training and realise you’re running further (and more efficiently) than you ever have. That belief doesn’t come from hype; it comes from data-driven proof.

If you’re new to running (welcome!), or feeling a bit self-conscious starting out, a training app can be your quiet companion. No comparison. No judgement. Just you and the work you’ve done.

The bottom line is marathons aren’t won on motivation. They’re built on consistency. Boring? Yes. But also efficient? You bet.

A training plan – tracked properly – is how most marathon journeys actually start.

Want more expert training advice? Find the best running content to build your foundation here.