Creative Ways to Use Your Favorite Running App

If running is a staple of your regular workout routine, odds are you have a favorite smartphone app to run alongside you. Whether it's RunKeeper, Nike+ or MapMyRun, you use mobile technology to measure your distance, pace and speed, and to push yourself to the limit.

But with all their features, how else could you use these apps? We put together a list of 10 ways to get the most out of your running app. Try measuring how fast your dog runs, or see how active you really are when you mow the lawn.

1. While Mowing the Lawn

Measure: Distance
Mowing your lawn can be a better workout than you think. You can use your running app to see just how far you walk while landscaping.
Image via iStockphoto, Eddisonphotos

2. On a Roller Coaster

Measure: Speed
Ever wonder how fast that roller coaster is going? Turn on RunKeeper, Nike+ or MapMyRun to find out -- just make sure you secure your phone.
Image via iStockphoto, pedrosala

3. At an Amusement Park

Measure: Route, Distance
Places like Disney World and Six Flags are vast and confusing. With a running app, you can track where you go and see how much you've walked -- it's probably more than you'd think.
Image courtesy of Flickr; Richard Stephenson

4. During a Scavenger Hunt

Measure: Route
Great memories of an Easter egg hunt can be soiled within days because of the rotten smell of a forgotten few. For any kind of scavenger hunt, you can use a running app to remember where you placed the items, minimizing any messy aftermath.
Image via iStockphoto, franckreporter

5. While Your Dog Runs

Measure: Speed
You marvel at how fast your dog can run, but just how fast does he go? If you attach your phone to his doggy jacket or some other way, you'll get your answer.
Image via iStockphoto, dageldog

6. During a Hike

Measure: Route, Distance
This one may seem a little obvious, but you can use apps like RunKeeper to keep your bearings in the woods, see how far you've hiked, map out a route for next time and even take pictures along the way.
Image courtesy of Flickr; GanMed64

7. During a Helicopter Ride

Measure: Speed, Distance
Helicopter rides are fun to go sightseeing, but wouldn't it be awesome know how fast you're going and how far you traveled?
Image courtesy of Flickr; Howard Lewis Ship

8. Run in Different Shapes

Measure: Route
Before you write this one off as stupid, think of what a romantic story it would be if you ran with your significant other in the shape of a heart right before proposing? Hey, at least it's creative.
At the very least, you can challenge yourself to run in different shapes every time you work out. Think you can manage an octagram?
Image courtesy of Flickr; Gisela Giardino

9. Leave a Trail in Foreign Cities

Measure: Route, Distance
Exploring new cities around the world can be exhilarating, but do you really want to carry a map everywhere or keep your eyes glued to your phone's GPS? Use a running app to let you know where you started so you know how to return.
Image courtesy of Flickr; Wilhelm Lappe

10. Measure Your Heart Rate

Measure: Pulse
This is less of a creative use and more of a frequently forgotten feature. By purchasing a heart rate monitor for your smartphone, you can measure your pulse with apps like RunKeeper.
Just think -- if your doctor ever recommends that you reach a specific heart rate when you exercise, you can use RunKeeper to prove that you can do it.
Video screenshot courtesy of RunKeeper

Taken from mashable
Creative Ways to Use Your Favorite Running App