Smashrun
How I have used Smashrun is at odds with my behaviour patterns with all other apps and technologies. Usually I am a dabbler and struggle with consistency. To give an example, I current journal or jot down notes across the Notes app, DayOne (a digital journal), AnyType (an object-based note taking app), sending WhatsApp messages to myself, and two paper journals. That's if you exclude this blog and my other blogs, as well as everything I have in Craft and Coda that needs to be migrated to AnyType. Things are scattered. I've tried to pick up apps, but they come and go from my life.
Smashrun is different. It literally contains every run I have done since 2019, when I started using it and started recording my runs on my Apple Watch. Every run, in one place! Incredible! With so much data, I can zoom out on my relationship with running. Every run counts, but I can see how it's not the end of the world if running isn't going great for a while, or if for whatever reason I fall off the wagon. Back in 2020-2021 I was running significant volumes and paces (for me). I thought that would be my forever. I was arrogant and naive. Falling off the wagon that first time was difficult emotionally, but was also useful for me, because humility, patience, flexibility, and gratitude are much more needed for a lifetime of running. I also love Smashrun because it's amazing to me to see how the runs stack up over time. I've run over 6,000 kilometres since I started recording my runs. That number is big! And it represents to me consistent acts of showing up for myself to go do the thing that is important to me that maybe I don't want to do that day. Rinse and repeat. The years of data in Smashrun show me that I've been able to continue to run, in some capacity, through thick and thin.
Smashrun is an essential bit of digital kit for me. For the reasons above, it has helped me so much. Other apps that I value and have used consistently over the last five years are Footpath (for drawing running routes) and WorkOutDoors (for beautiful maps on my watch).