Running marathons is phenomenally difficult work - but thankfully it can be made that little bit easier with the help of smart technology.
If you're running the London Marathon, or just inspired to get fit and healthy this summer, here's the best tech to help you reach that goal.
Running watches
If you're running frequently, the chances are that you'll want the most fully-featured running watches available. These devices can measure heart rate, GPS location and workout intensity in order to provide detailed and informative data about your fitness sessions.
Fitbit Surge
Fitbit is known for its simple step counters, but the feature-packed Surge is the company's entry into more dedicated fitness tracking.
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The Surge features GPS and a heart rate monitor to offer more accurate information about your exercise. The large OLED screen clearly displays your stats, and the battery should last around 5 days.
The touchscreen can also display messages and control music from your smartphone.
Expect to pay: £179.99
Polar V800
The Polar V800 is pretty much the perfect training watch. It tracks everything you do, including running, cycling and swimming.
The V800 can be paired up with the Polar heart rate monitor and shoe pod to give you information including location, cadence, stride length to calorie burn and recovery status.
Unfortunately all of this comes at a price, with the watch starting at £350, but the Polar V800 will have you competing against Mo Farah in no time... probably.
Expect to pay: £350
Fitness trackers
If you're just starting out (and likely to quit in a few weeks), then maybe a less dedicated device is for you. These fitness trackers are designed to be worn all the time. They'll count your steps, and work out intensity, but won't provide rich and detailed information like the running watches. These devices are also usually cheaper.
Sony SmartBand Talk
The Sony SmartBand Talk is one of many devices that attempts to straddle the gap between smartwatch and fitness tracker.
The band is capable of step counting and measuring workout intensity, but it can also display emails and make calls.
Beyond fitness needs, we were really impressed with its battery life and call quality.
Compatible with: Android
Expect to pay: £129.99
Fitbit
Fitbit offers a number of clip-based and wearable devices, but in this category the Charge and ChargeHR are our pick. The devices track fitness and sleep, with the ChargeHR also capable of recording heart rate.
The comprehensive data that the Fitbit produces is easily accessible from the company's smartphone app or website dashboard.
Compatible with:Android, iOS and Windows Phone
Expect to pay: £99, £119.99 respectively
Jawbone UP Move
If you're after a fitness tracker that isn't worn on the wrist, the Jawbone UP Move is just for you.
It tracks your steps, exercise, calories burned and sleep pattern, and uses LEDs to display your progress.
This little device won't break the bank either, so it's not a big deal if you give up in a few weeks' time.
Compatible with: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: £39.99
Withings Activité
The Withings Activité is a stunning piece of design. It resembles a classic, minimalist timepiece but hides a wonderful tech secret.
The watch is capable of step tracking and monitoring sleep patterns. It's also waterproof, and can vibrate to wake you up.
The Activité is the most expensive fitness tracker, but for that you get a sophisticated sapphire crystal face and Tanneries Hass leather strap.
Compatible with: iOS and Android
Expect to pay: £320
Smartwatches
Smartwatches are new to the game, and generally, they're not as well thought out as more established fitness trackers. However, if you'd like to try using a smartwatch, these are the best to keep track of your fitness.
LG G Watch R or Sony SmartWatch 3
There are the two best Android Wear smartwatches when it comes to fitness - but both have their drawbacks.
The Sony is geared towards exercise with its durable rubber strap and with the inclusion of GPS, but unfortunately it doesn't have a heart rate monitor.
The LG does include a heart rate monitor, but it fails to include GPS.
Expect to pay: £180+
Apple Watch
Apple are taking fitness seriously with the Apple Watch. It includes a heart-rate monitor and step counting - but unfortunately, no GPS.
Apple is offering a number of different variations of the Watch, giving users the ability to customise the appearance of their timepiece - we'd suggest going with the cheapest 'Sport' edition.
This comes with a soft rubber strap which should be more comfortable during exercise.
Expect to pay: £299+
Apps
Apps are also a great way to aid training, with detailed workout sessions, exercise recording options and diet recommendations.
Endomondo
The Endomondo app is a personal trainer that fits in your pocket. It'll keep you motivated, and also aims to make exercise fun.
One of the benefits of Endomondo is that it can track almost any distance-based sport and record duration, distance and calories burned.
The app provides audio feedback at regular intervals, and maintains a full training diary to analyse your performance.
Compatible with: Android, iOS and Windows Phone
Expect to pay: Free with the option to upgrade to premium for £1.99 a month
Nike+ Running
Nike's app is a sophisticated run tracker with a pleasingly simple and intuitive interface. It'll time your runs, can measure calories, track you on a map, record your pace and reward improved performance with badges.
Audio distance and pace feedback mid-run is a helpful service. Building a community of friends and other runners is a great way to encourage regular activity and introduce a competitive element. Another neat feature plays audio cheers in real-time every time a friend comments on or likes your run notification posted on Facebook.
The 'Coach' element is a great tool to assist beginners or advanced athletes training over several weeks for a challenge such as a 10k run or a half-marathon.
Compatible with: iOS and Android
Expect to pay: Free
Strava
Strava also tracks activities such as bike rides and running, but focuses heavily on competition with fellow athletes.
Strava contains routes which have been created by other app users. If you choose these routes, you can set a time which is viewed on a leaderboard.
Attempting to climb the leaderboard is great motivation to keep exercising, and the app also provides the option to share your activities on Facebook and Twitter.
Compatible with: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: Free, with the option to to upgrade to premium for £3.99 a month.
Moves
Moves automatically tracks your everyday life and exercise, just by carrying around your smartphone in your pocket.
The app recognises places in your life and creates a visually impressive storyline of your day. It counts steps and records whether you're walking, cycling or running.
Compatible with Android and iOS
Expect to pay: Free
Eat Fit
Of course, what's the point in all this exercise if you go home at night to eat chips and pizza? The Eat Fit app is packed with tools to start living a healthy living style.
Eat Fit sells its self as a 'mobile nutrition coach'. It provides a diverse meal plan so you won't have to complain about monotony in the kitchen ever again.
Compatible with: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: Free with a £0.82 upgrade to premium
7 Minute Workout
Working out takes time, time that some people don't have - luckily, there's no more excuses with the 7 Minute Workout app.
7 Minute Workout is the number one fitness app in 127 countries. It features 12 high intensity bodyweight exercises.
The app vocally guides users through a different exercise every 30 seconds with a 10 seconds rest between them.
Compatible with: iOS
Expect to pay: Free with the option to purchase additional workouts at £0.69 each.
