Planning On Running A 10k Race This Summer? Check Out These Apps To Get You Started

Committing to a 10K race is a great way to get back into exercise and start taking a closer look at our fitness levels.   Here at Her.ie, we’ve signed up to this year’s Breast Cancer Ireland Great Pink Run sponsored by Avonmore Slimline milk. Whether running or walking, it’s time to start planning on how best to work on our fitness for the next two months. Check out these five super handy (free!) apps below. 1. Couch to 5K If you’re looking to get fit, this is the number one app for beginners. Track your fitness journey in simple steps, and keep note of your progress. A few minutes of exercise a couple of times a week is enough to get you started on the road to your goal. Click here for more details. 2. Zombies, Run! We love this app. Zombies, Run! does exactly what it says on the tin. As you're running, you listen to your mission (there are 200 to choose from) through your headphones. If you're chased by zombies, you have to speed up. And you have opportunities along the way to rebuild your town. Perfect for the days you're not feeling motivated. Click here for more information. 3. Map My Run Map My Run is a GPS running, workout tracker and calories counter. It allows you to log workouts, record GPS-based activities to view detailed stats and connect with your other devices to analyse all your data in one place. How does it work: Simply set your location and Map My Run allows you to find local routes, courses, groups and fitness events near you. Click here for more info. 4. Nike+ The Nike+ basic app gives runners week-by-week workouts to work toward specific goals, like running a 5K. After you record a workout, this app will save a map of your route, as well as your time, pace, elevation change and calories burned. What makes it stands out: The Cheer feature lets you post a real-time note on Facebook or Pinterest that indicates you're running. When someone comments on or likes that status, you will hear virtual cheering noises on your phone, turning a solitary run into a social event. 5. Strava Feeling competitive? This is the  one for you. This app is famous for its leaderboard system that lets users designate segments and then "race" other users for the top time on those segments. Strava keeps track of your routes and distance run, and lets you join "challenges" to motivate you to work toward a goal. A gear tracker records the mileage on your shoes so you know when to buy new ones, and you can connect to heart rate monitors or other sensors. For more info click here. This article is sponsored by Avonmore Slimline Milk, proud sponsors of Breast Cancer Ireland's Great Pink Run. Avonmore Slimline Milk contains added iron & vitamin C to give you that extra boost to get you over the line! Sign up for the Great Pink Run here.