Half Marathon Trainer: 21K Run Reviews

by KateC27

I loved these apps, and have been using them for years. I have many of them from this developer. Tapped in today to see I now have to pay for a subscription to HalfMarathonTrainer, when I’ve already purchased the full version long ago. No thank you. Deleting, after years of being a loyal customer. There is no reason to pay for a 6 month plan or another $15 for an unlimited version when I already paid to go pro and nothing is changing on HalfMarathonTrainer . Sad, because I loved the program, but don’t like being nickeled and dimed.

by RumiDawnWalker

The bug is that HalfMarathonTrainer freezes about 15 - 20% of the time at the end of a run, such that so I don’t know my distance or time, nor are my miles recorded. HalfMarathonTrainer freezes with exactly one second remaining, after the coach voice says “Great job! See you again in a couple of days.“

This bug seems to happen especially on the “Day 1” of each week, but I’ve had it happen on other days including Day 6 — the longest run — when it was particularly infuriating to not know how far I had run.

I contacted HalfMarathonTrainer developers months ago about this bug and they recommended I make sure my iPhone was up-to-date with the latest operating system; it was.

This bug is a total bummer, for I otherwise love HalfMarathonTrainer and wouldn’t hesitate to give it five stars. But the bug is a tremendous source of frustration. [Incidentally I also used the 5K & 10K apps (which are excellent) and never had this issue.]

‘Hope they get the bug fixed!

by Tomer H.

1 out of every 3 workouts wind be saved at the end. The timer would reach 0 the whole app would freeze and then crash. It takes a few resets to get HalfMarathonTrainer to work again. Only thing that would be saved is that I did the work out but the distance, path, and calories burned would not be saved. I haven’t had this problem with the 5k or 10K app. I reached out to them and they said it is not a common problem and I should reinstall HalfMarathonTrainer which I did to no avail. It is disheartening to have your workouts disappear like that.

by Annoyedhskksb Djs

I just typed a super long and detailed review of HalfMarathonTrainer which was lost. Ironically, this is similar to the 43 minutes of my life that were lost after I spent them running in the blistering heat only to have HalfMarathonTrainer skip back to the warm up after 48 minutes when I accidentally grazed the button with my finger. I understand that you can lock your phone to "prevent" this, but that's rather impossible when I'm forced to use other running apps simultaneously because this one doesn't show your pace when you run! There are free apps out there that are MUCH better for runners. Why is it Sooooooo easy to just delete an entire segment from a run?? Shouldn't there at least be some kind of confirmation prompt before just skipping back and deleting all traces of hard work/torture?! Why can't HalfMarathonTrainer record all of the runs that we do and just ADD the extra time if the runner chooses to go back to the previous segment?! Or why can't the user manually go back and edit the run after it is completed by deleting segments if they don't wish to have them factored in?! This is beyond annoying. Otherwise HalfMarathonTrainer has good potential.

by BigFully

I like HalfMarathonTrainer as far as getting me ready for my half marathon. I am 2 weeks away from my race and I am already running the distance. I have never ran 12 miles before. HalfMarathonTrainer did great in preparing me. I have 2 suggestions... I have been frustrated several times during my runs because of the forward and back buttons on the screen. I like to carry my phone as I run so I can easily see my progress. If you accidentally touch the forward or back button it will start you over or send you to the next stage of your work out! No way to go back to where you are in your run! Please either do away with those buttons, make it a two step process... "are you sure you want to start over" or have an option to go back to where you were in your run. If I am 9o minutes into a 120 minute run and my finger or once even my clothes hits the back button, your screwed unless you know the exact time you started the run after your warm up. Secondly, I wish there was a feature to keep up with distance. I have to run a second app on my phone to keep up with how far I am going and my time per mile. Would be nice to have that feature built in.

by Ken314159

Overall I’m satisfied with HalfMarathonTrainer. When running outside it gives a good enough estimate of distance. I like that it’s time-based, not distance based training. Haven’t had any issues with it not notifying me of alerts. It does have one major flaw though. To scroll through the different workouts you have to drag the bar on the bottom of the screen. This bar also has a check box that gets filled when you complete a workout. It is very easy to accidentally check or uncheck these boxes and permanently delete a workout. There is no equivalent manual entry - the one that exists doesn’t allow you to put distance, map, or calories burned - and no recovering the lost information. For this reason I’ve given HalfMarathonTrainer 3 stars. There is also no way to view upcoming workouts other than scrolling through day by day which increases the risk of accidentally deleting one if you (like me) like to plan ahead. A calendar view would help this issue, and a “double check” feature would help the other one and if HalfMarathonTrainer includes these changes in a future update it will be 5 stars for me for sure.

by Paperblairplane

I've been training for a half marathon for awhile and used HalfMarathonTrainer quite a few times. Probably the best feature to me is that it is a program already built in that is very easy to follow along.

Bad part? Here in the winter I've been running indoors on a track and it couldn't be any worse as far as accuracy on distance and times sadly. I run with a fitbit as well so I know how many miles I've actually ran, also can tell obviously by how many laps I've ran, but it would be great to be able to count on just one app for all of my running needs. When I say inaccurate I mean, I actually ran 5 miles but it's saying I've run 3 in HalfMarathonTrainer , maybe it is just a poor connection and it cannot register the GPS signal? But I've tried multiple indoor tracks and all have had the same problem.

Now, that said, when the spring comes around and I'm running outside, I'm sure it will be better.

by Keatev

I’m brand new to HalfMarathonTrainer. And I’m either doing something wrong or it’s just not possible to see how far you’ve run while you’re running. I like to get 1/2 mile notices and def. one mile notices. I’ll have to run Map My Run at the same time as HalfMarathonTrainer. To get those features. Probably should have just upgraded the Map my run app.
Update: and HalfMarathonTrainer should let you manually log in your miles when you use a treadmill.

by ChangoKong1

Overall it’s a great app for training for a half marathon. As with their other running apps, a heart monitor option would put HalfMarathonTrainer at 5 stars. Other small additions that would make this better m, a separate distance measure for total running time, right now you get a total of warms ups and running. No separation. Also instructions on pace. Are my short running days supposed to be race pace or half pace or sprint pace? I would recommend HalfMarathonTrainer to any would be runner.

by TC_Conway

...as it changed mine. I just completed this, going from the 5K to half marathon training and never thought I could do it. HalfMarathonTrainer is easy to use and inspiring. Just follow along and U2 will be running a half marathon in no time. Seriously, get HalfMarathonTrainer.

by 9999rfan

Just follow HalfMarathonTrainer and you will get to your half marathon distance. I’ve used the Fitness 22 5k, 10K and some workout apps. ALL are great and lead you to success. Definitely worth every penny.

by Cbh3

Absolutely one of the best ways to start running. The voice coach is great and the interval running is actually enjoyable. What started out as a way to break up the boredom of hotels and work travel has turned into a real hobby.

by Lucha Geist

I've been wanting to get back into running for years. After several false starts, I decided I needed help. HalfMarathonTrainer got me from my couch through some injuries and into running shape again. I can't wait to get to the marathon level.

by Sim Seemma

Well being a new mom, I can’t always leave the house. HalfMarathonTrainer actually helped me train for my half a marathon on treadmill while my baby took naps. I also use their other apps couch to 5K & 10K... you have to put the time into it for it to work.

by Charlie23355

I'm on my third running app from fitness 22 and I love it I went from never having run more than what we did in gym class to 8 miles over the course of six months. Really easy to use and has helped me to lose Weight and actually enjoy running!!

by Rosiebe333

So I just completed my first half marathon I started with the 5k one then 10K and finally purchased the half marathon . When I started I couldn’t run for more than 6 mins without feeling like I was about to die and just this weekend I ran 13 miles that’s crazy

by SGMC

Good variety to build up to
the half marathon. The lock screen helps keep the program going without it jumping backwards/forwards with a simple touch. Agree with others than keeping track of mileage would be good. I run a second app for that information.

by AndyCaru

I used the 10K runner app by Fitness 22, and now I’m on to the 1/2 marathon. I love the inspiration and the encouragement. I also really like how it keeps a running total of the hours and miles I’ve put in.

The only suggestion I have for an improvement is to have a mileage ticker on the countdown screen as I’m running.

by Lhc11

I am grateful to HalfMarathonTrainer (and the 10k one before it). As a newly competitive runner, it has really helped me stick to a program--just ran a 20k last weekend, and the half marathon is 3 weeks away; thanks to this, I know I can do it. I appreciate its clarity, even though I know it is not as elaborate a training program as some.

by RMS12050

I am well into this program but not yet done. I began with their 5K and 10K apps. Now I am moving up to 21. This has a great interface and is easy to use. More than that it's running program is well planned. I have already registered for my first half marathon. I am confident that I will be ready to go. This is a great app. Get it and get going! Highly recommended.