Marathon Training Apps for the iPhone

As most people already know, the iPhone is known to have thousands and thousands of applications. There is pretty much an application for anything that you might need. If you are a marathon runner, and are curious if there is an iPhone application that acts as a personal assistant to your training, there are actually many of them.

You of course need to have an iPhone to use these great applications, but if you are already an owner of an iPhone, then you're already ahead of the game.

Here is a guide to the top 5 iPhone applications for marathon runners:

1. Marathoner - This application is $2.99. Marathoner is a one of a kind application and is used as a training application that can actually connect runners who are training for marathons. Anyone you are connected with can view and share their training progress with you, and you can share it with them. This application gives any marathon runner the ability to compare their progress with others to help them improve. Marathoner also features: training sets, which allows you to either create your own, or join someone else's; you can create your own network of runners and train with them or lean on them for support. There are also calculators to help you keep track of your BMI, pace, calories, and burned calories. Soon, you'll also be able to upload course maps and training routes.

2. iMapMyRun+ - For $4.99, this application allows runners to take photos along their route, and allows you to use your iPod feature without leaving the application. The best part about iMapMyRun is that there is a built-in GPS system which can be very helpful when setting distance goals. With the map feature, you can pre-plan your run by setting your route to the exact distance you want. There are also features such as, real-time tracking (distance, time, pace and speed), synchronization with your training log and routes, history, and twitter integration.

3. MarathonMate - Marathon Mate is only $1.99 and will serve you great purposes when it comes to allowing you to track your location, speed and heart rate. Other running mates or friends can actually find you when you are on your run, by tracking you with this application. You can choose whether or not you want to be found, but if you do, having a sudden and unexpected running partner could make your run that much better.

4. Speed Gauge - Pace Calculator - This great application is simply just a speed gauge which allows you to save your running data for future reference. You can quickly select preset distances that are integrated with this application. The best part about this application is that it supports times in fractions of a second, which can be very important to short distance runners. You can purchase this application for $1.99.

5. Marathon Travel Guides - For $0.99 you can have access to a travel guide including eats, sights, transportation, accommodations, shopping, entertainment and directions at any marathon destination you might be at. Most avid marathoners don't stick to just their own area to run in marathons, but instead travel all over the country to participate in many different marathons. Therefore, having a marathon travel guide would be a great companion for anyone who is out of town and try to find their way around.