As you may know, I recently signed up for the Expedition Everest 5K Challenge at Animal Kingdom with a few friends. Even though I run three miles often without much trouble at all, I still wanted to train. My goal with the whole training deal is to get my run time down from a 10:30 average to a 8:30-9:00 minute mile average. In the process I am also starting to train for a certain half marathon that is still to be decided.

Since starting my mini training I have started using a running app that is pretty awesome and I have completely fallen for. Nike+ Running has been my favorite running tool and has completely helped me get my average time down by about 45-seconds so far. The app has multiple running programs depending on what you want along with multiple fitness levels. Right now I am on the 10K trainer at the intermediate level.

The different levels seem to be a mix of your activity level when starting and how much you wish to run. I am not one who likes to run everyday so the intermediate is pretty great since I only run 4-5 times a week! Each run is timed and logged so you can see progress as you go. You can also see your progress through a chart that shows your speeds and changes throughout the run. This is possible by holding your phone or putting it in one of those super cool arm, wrap things that I need to get. The gyroscope in our phones does all the work and seems to be doing it right since all of the mile markers in the treadmill, my HRM, and the phone match up.

The app also has a calendar, weather info for your area, and that ever so loved social aspect where you can get friends and compete with them for best times or most miles. Yes, some of the controls are what you would expect from a free app. I am still not sure how to change my name in the profile or add extra info and I seem to always forget the layout every time I use it. But it is free and it is fun and it has helped me shave almost a minute off my mile time. For that, I am quite content!