This is part shout-out, part unsolicited recommendation and 100% rave.
Sometimes the little guys get it right. And when they do, they should be recognized for it. Eric Yee gets it right.
A little background: There are a plethora of web sites about running. Some of these are corporate sites, like Garmin‘s, which provide a means for users of Garmin GPS watches and devices to upload and store their collected data. Some sites are forums, some are training programs, and many are a mix of the above. The explosion of mobile apps has created a whole new generation of web sites focused on serving these apps. Many of these sites make their money by subscription, “gold” level memberships and the like.
A few years ago, I used a web site to track not only my running, but also my gym workouts and more. Unfortunately, the site’s creator stopped supporting it, and my $25 per year subscription was not giving me the value I sought. I searched around a bit, and found a lot of sites.
The problem with many of the sites seemed to be the lack of focus; there seemed to be more bickering and personality conflicts than there was actual running information. As many runners may remember, 2008 saw a major upheaval among several of the top sites, as one acquired the other, and the fallout was extreme and a lot of bitter feelings were expressed.
Enter Eric Yee. Eric’s site is RunningAHEAD.com, and it’s been online for years. Maybe it’s flown under the radar (although the active membership seems to be quite large), or maybe I’m just bowing to the principle that when you’ve found something you’re looking for, you stop looking!
RunningAHEAD includes the ability to upload data from Garmin and other devices, create and save courses, list personal records, maintain an equipment log, produce reports on configurable parameters, create a training program, and a host of widgets, tools, and custom displays. Add to this the ability to create user groups, join other groups, and participate in forums, and you have a soup-to-nuts solution for every runner.
Here’s an example of a live widget that posts my last five runs:
Oh by the way, did I mention it’s FREE? Well, there is a slight wrinkle: a free account includes some advertising, but it’s usually unobtrusive and pertinent. One can (and I do) contribute to the site’s upkeep, and Eric will remove the advertising. Nice.
I’ve been a happy user of RunningAHEAD.com for five years. After a run, the first thing I do is connect my Garmin Forerunner to my computer, open my browser to the site, upload my data and review my run. It’s become a regular part of my running routine. Thanks, Eric!