How Artificial Intelligence Can Make You a Better Runner
What is it about runners and data? Do we love data because it’s simply the most tangible evidence of our abilities? Is it just another way to extend our run experience by reliving a race or training run? Or is it something more, something that can actually change us into even better runners for the rest of our lives?
Today, on Run to the Top Podcast we will speak with Magnus Jonsson, co-founder of Racefox, a wearable, artificial intelligence platform that responds to your running style and gives immediate feedback on how you can run better, faster, more effectively, and with fewer injuries.
Artificial intelligence may sound like something from outer space but, of course, it is with us every day and affects our lives in many ways. Magnus and his company have gone even farther into coaching runners via artificial intelligence. Algorithms, technology and science take us into a new dimension that allows immediate interpretation of massive amounts of data and classification of that data into personal information that can be used for immediate improvement as you run. This real-time coaching can help us stay injury free and improve incrementally by making focused changes, unique to our own bodies, whether elite or beginner.
It’s not as unbelievable as it may sound. Listen as we delve into Magnus’ and Racefox’s world of artificial intelligence and improved running.
Questions Magnus is asked:
2:36 First Four:
- How long have you been running?
- Where were you born?
- Where do you live now?
- What is your favorite workout?
3:19 What is Racefox and what does it offer runners?
4:30 How does Racefox analyze asymmetry with runners?
5:30 How much data are you gathering with Racefox?
6:36 How did you get involved in this project?
9:36 What did you learn from skiers and what challenges did you have moving to a running platform?
11:42 How does Racefox runner’s movement data to give them feedback?
14:25 How does it work for injury prevention and how has it worked with athletes with injury prevention?
16:29 How many athletes, especially runners, have used your program and what results are you seeing from it?
19:04 How important is the real-time coaching?
21:52 How compatible is the app with miles vs kilometers?
25:00 What is your partnership with Polar?
26:38 How does the Racefox program and subscription work?
27:48 Is it a monthly or annual subscription?
28:29 What races are you collaborating with?
28:44 How does Racfox help runners train for a marathon?
29:38 Does Racefox help runners set realistic race goals?
32:11 Is the data private or shared with other users?
34:10 What success stories do you have from users?
36:46 How can Racefox help runners continue running for the rest of their lives?
37:53 What is the key takeaway listeners should get about Racefox?
38:41 How can Racefox help runners and human coaches work together?
40:46 Any final thoughts to share?
43:34 Final Kick Round:
- What is your favorite local training run or outing (location, starting point, parking, distance, terrain and safety issues)?
- Favorite book(s), video or resource?
- Who or what would you like to have featured on the Run To The Top podcast?
Quotes:
“Small data is your data; it’s how YOU are moving. Big data is how ALL the community we are working with are moving. So we can understand what is a good strategy for moving for running.”
“Everybody knows how to run; one step at a time, basically. But, when you start looking into it, with our tool, you start to find very interesting things. Because we see the full stride and we see the normal ground contact time and so on. But what we see when we work with it is above that and we try to make sense of it and how should you improve.”
“We all have different possibilities and weaknesses. And through (Racefox) we can, in a very simple way, understand what your potential is and how we can work with you. And then we will give you what you should work on.”
“Learning comes from the present. If you want to change behavior, you do that now, like, within 3 seconds. Especially movement. The movement memories are so hardcore to work with. You need to work in real-time in the present to actually change something.”
“I don’t really work well when I don’t train. You need endorphins to navigate modern life in a good way. And to be able to do that, you need a body that is in good shape. I think running is one of the greatest training forms there is out there.”
“When you’re preparing for a race, or just starting running, Racefox is a very easy way to get someone to hold your hand to get from Point A to Point B.”
Take a Listen on Your Next Run
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Run To The Top Winners Circle Facebook Community
Run To The Top interview with Tom Fowler of Polar USA
Book: The Real Happy Pill by Anders Hansen
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