Preparing for Hot Weather Runs

The Apple Watch made its debut last September, and when its release was finally announced, runners were keen to learn more about how this new gadget would measure up to their fitness needs. Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed some exciting features about the Apple Watch, and though questions about its performance still lingered, runners were eager to discover what the watch could bring to the table.

Here’s everything endurance enthusiasts need to know.

What Does It Track?

The Apple Watch features two primary apps for fitness tracking: the Activity app and the Workout app. The Activity app is designed to monitor your daily activity, presented as three colored rings. The Move ring tracks the calories you burn, the Exercise ring measures your active minutes, and the Stand ring indicates the time you’ve spent on your feet. You can set personal goals for each of these rings, with the option to adjust them manually or receive motivational suggestions from Apple.

The Workout app, on the other hand, is designed specifically for fitness activities like running or cycling. It tracks your time, distance, pace, and calories burned, much like any other fitness watch. The watch also stores your workout history, offering motivation in the form of achievements, goal suggestions, and progress updates.

The Apple Watch also includes a heart rate monitor on the back, featuring infrared and visible-light LEDs. This, combined with the watch’s accelerometer, gyroscope, and your iPhone’s GPS, provides a comprehensive overview of your health metrics.

Can I Replace My GPS Watch?

Unfortunately, not quite yet. The Apple Watch lacks integrated GPS, so if you want to track your running route, pace, or distance, you’ll need to bring your iPhone along and connect the two via Bluetooth. It’s worth noting that while Tim Cook has shared that the watch is water-resistant enough for showering, there hasn’t been any mention of its performance in the pool or during heavy rain.

What Else Can It Do?

Apart from fitness tracking, the Apple Watch boasts some standout features. One of the most exciting is the ability to store music directly on the watch, so you won’t need your phone to listen to your favorite tunes. The watch also includes a feature called “Glances,” which lets you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access important information like your heart rate, weather updates, music controls, and text or email notifications.

Another unique feature is “Digital Touch,” which allows you to send your heartbeat, draw pictures, or get someone’s attention with simple taps. You can also call an Uber, use your watch as a hotel room key, or make payments with Apple Pay, all directly from the watch. A range of apps designed specifically for the Apple Watch is also available, which can be downloaded from the Apple Watch app store on your iPhone.

Which Fitness Apps Are Compatible?

To download apps, you’ll use the Apple Watch app store within iOS 8.2 on your iPhone. While the keynote didn’t mention many fitness-focused apps besides Nike+ Running, Strava has confirmed it will release an app for the watch at launch.

How Long Does the Battery Last?

Battery life is always a concern for smartwatches. If you’re planning on using the Apple Watch during long runs or races, you might need to rethink your strategy. Cook promised “18 hours” of battery life for typical use, but it’s unclear whether this includes heavy usage. There are reports suggesting the watch may struggle to hold a charge for several hours during active use. All-day heart rate tracking may not be included in the final version due to battery concerns. So, expect to charge your watch overnight, and likely after workouts as well.

What’s the Build Like?

The Apple Watch comes in three models. Runners might find the Apple Watch Sport the most appealing. Made from anodized aluminum, it’s available in silver and space gray, with a 38mm or 42mm screen protected by Ion-X glass. The watch is about 30% lighter than its stainless steel counterparts, and there are five different band color options available.

The standard Apple Watch is made from stainless steel or black stainless steel, with a variety of bands to choose from. For those seeking a luxury option, the Apple Watch Edition features a stunning 18-karat gold case in rose or yellow gold.

How Do You Use It?

Despite its small size, the Apple Watch is easy to use. It has a touchscreen that distinguishes between regular taps and harder presses, known as “Force Touch,” for specific controls. The watch’s interface is navigated using the “Digital Crown,” a dial on the side of the face, making it easy to scroll through menus. Siri is available to assist with voice commands, and the Taptic Engine gives you discreet feedback through gentle vibrations.

The Apple Watch connects with your iPhone via Bluetooth or WiFi, and you’ll need at least an iPhone 5 or later to use the device.

What’s the Price, and When Can You Get It?

Pre-orders for the Apple Watch began on April 10, with the official launch in stores set for April 24. Visit your local store for a demo on release day and experience the features firsthand.

As someone who once thrived in endurance sports, I know firsthand the passion and dedication that comes with pushing your body to its limits. I loved everything about endurance sports— the sense of community, the commitment, and the exhilaration of pushing through a challenging workout. But it took a life-altering experience for me to realize that pushing too hard isn’t always the answer. It nearly cost me my life.

On April 13, 2015, my son’s first birthday, I experienced a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia known as ventricular tachycardia during a morning run. I had been feeling unusually tired for weeks, but that day, it felt different—far worse. Despite my body’s signals, I pushed myself to go for a five-mile run, hoping it would help me feel better.

It was a warm spring day, with the humidity returning and pollen blanketing everything in sight. I slipped into my favorite running gear—a pair of Boston Marathon shorts and brand-new shoes. I love the excitement of lacing up a new pair of shoes, but on this day, that excitement would quickly turn into fear.

During the run, I felt “off” several times, occasionally struggling to catch my breath. These feelings would pass, and I assumed I was just out of shape. In my typical fashion, I pushed harder, determined to finish strong. I was training consistently, sleeping well, and staying hydrated. Yet my body wasn’t cooperating.

When I hit the final stretch, I decided to sprint the last half-mile to make up for my slower pace. As soon as I stopped, everything went wrong. I felt dizzy and unstable, unable to keep my balance. My heart raced so violently that I could feel it in my chest. I collapsed onto my front steps, trying to calm myself by focusing on my breath. But nothing helped.

At that moment, I genuinely feared for my life. My heart was beating so rapidly that I could see my chest moving in and out with each beat. I looked down at my Garmin, which was struggling to keep up with my heart rate. The numbers kept climbing—220, then 240, and even 250 beats per minute.

That day, I was incredibly fortunate to survive. I later learned I had a rare genetic heart condition known as ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy). This diagnosis meant no more running, swimming, or cycling for me—activities I had once loved. Despite these restrictions, I am incredibly grateful to still be here to share my story.

Every February, during National Heart Month, I reflect on my experience and use it as an opportunity to raise awareness that athletes are not immune to heart disease. My hope is that by sharing my story, we can encourage early detection and prevention, so others don’t face the same near-death experience I did. If you’re an athlete or know someone who is, it’s crucial to listen to your body and seek help if something doesn’t feel right. Early detection can make all the difference.