3 Apple Watch running features I wish I’d known about sooner – CNET

As a long-time Apple Watch wearer and runner, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the watch’s operating features. Turns out there were still a lot of things I hadn’t explored, and a few of these features could have made training a lot easier.

With the San Francisco Marathon this weekend, I got a crash course in Apple Watch features running from Apple. Most of them work on all models running the latest version of WatchOS, while others are exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra series. These are the features I add to my own workout routine.

Learn more: The future of Apple Watch AI is not a chatbot. He’s a trainer

1. Personalized workouts

Instead of trying to memorize every interval or warm-up, let your Apple Watch guide you through the workout.

To create your own workout, open the Fitness app on your iPhone and tap the Workouts tongue. Find the workout you want (running, in my case), press the button timer iconselect Personalized trainingthen scroll down and tap the icon + button.

Name your workout so it’s easy to find on your watch later (try adding an emoji or three), then create your routine. I started mine with two minutes of warm-up exercises, but you can also create segments based on distance, time, or heart rate zones. You can even repeat an entire sequence so you don’t have to recreate each interval individually, then finish with a cooldown if that’s your jam.

Once you’re done, the workout automatically syncs to your Apple Watch. The next time you start a run, tap the timer icon, select your custom workout and off you go. The watch keeps track of each segment and vibrates your wrist when it’s time to move on, so you can focus on running instead of looking at the clock.

2. Coach

If you’re the type of person who gets a little too excited at the start of a race and ends up exhausted halfway through (like me), Pacer can help.

From the running workout on your watch, press the button timer iconscroll to Pacerpress the + buttonchoose your race distance and enter your goal finish time. The watch calculates the pace you should maintain.

Next, return to that timer icon in the upper right corner of your running workout on the watch, then scroll down to find the Pacer plan you just created. The interface will now display a progress bar on screen instead of your usual stats, which moves to indicate whether you are ahead or behind your target pace. Red means you’re behind, green means you’re moving faster than your target, and the sweet spot is right in the middle.

You can also swipe between screens to see your usual training stats throughout the race.

3. Running course

If you always run the same loop or neighborhood trail, you might be able to use it to compete against yourself.

Open the running workout, press the button timer iconscroll to Race course and select one of your saved routes. Then choose whether you want to run against your personal best or against your last race.

I’m still recovering from an injury, so I’ll use this to chase my previous record.

Bonus features for Apple Watch Ultra

The Ultra models in Apple’s smartwatch line, like the latest Apple Watch Ultra 3, add a few operating features you won’t find on the standard Apple Watch.

Precise start

If you’ve ever started a workout with an Apple Watch, you’ll be familiar with the three-second countdown after pressing Start. This, among other things, gives the watch time to find a GPS signal. But it’s not great on race day if you just want to get up and go.

To get rid of it and enable precise start, open Settings on your watch, scroll to Training and turn on Precise start.

Now when you start a workout, the timer starts immediately. It may not be locked into GPS from the start, but you’ll know if it is when the compass icon in the upper left corner turns blue.

Action button run shortcut

If you want to run even faster, you can assign the action button to start your favorite workout.

Go to Settings > Action buttonchoose Trainingthen under First press select Outdoor running. You can even assign it to launch one of the custom workouts you just completed.

Quick Pause Shortcut

Instead of relying on auto-pause, an Apple Watch Ultra model also lets you instantly pause and resume a workout by pressing two buttons at the same time – no sweaty screen swiping for me.

More AI execution features in your future

If you have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro or later) paired with an Apple Watch running WatchOS 26, you’ll also be able to use Workout Buddy.

Workout Buddy is an AI-powered voice companion that uses your workout history, pace, heart rate, and fitness data to give you personalized, real-time encouragement during your run.

Instead of generic messages, it might say things like “This is your fastest mile yet” or remind you that you’ve already covered 40 miles this month. With the upcoming WatchOS 27 expected to roll out in September, Workout Buddy will also be available in Spanish.

Whether you’re running the San Francisco Marathon this weekend, training for your next race, or just trying to get back to your personal best, I hope a few of these tips help make your next race a little smoother.

Vanessa Main Orellana

Main writer

Vanessa is a senior editor at CNET, reviewing and writing about the latest smartwatches and fitness trackers. She first joined the brand as an on-camera reporter for CNET’s Spanish-language site, then moved to the English side to host and produce some of CNET’s YouTube videos and series. When she’s not testing the latest health technologies, you can catch her hiking or trail running with her family. See full bio