As a long-time Apple Watch wearer and runner, I thought I knew everything about the watch’s functional features. Turns out there was still a lot I hadn’t checked out, and a few of those features would have made the training a lot easier.
With the San Francisco Marathon happening this weekend, I got a crash course on Apple Watch running features from Apple. Most of these work on all models running the latest version of watchOS, while others are exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra series. These are the elements that I add to my training routine.
Read more: The future of Apple Watch AI is not a Chatbot. It’s a coach
1. Custom Performance
Instead of trying to remember every interval or warmup, let your Apple Watch guide you through your workout.
To create your own workout, open the Fitness app on your iPhone and press the button Exercise tab. Find your favorite workout (Running, for me), press the button time iconchoose Custom Workoutsthen scroll down and tap on + button.
Give your workout a name so it’s easy to find later on your watch (try adding an emoji or three), and build your routine. I started mine with a two-minute warmup exercise, but you can also create segments based on distance, time or heart rate zones. You can even repeat the entire series so you don’t have to recreate each interval individually, and finish with a cooldown if that’s your go-to.
When you’re done, the workout is automatically synced to your Apple Watch. The next time you start running, tap the timer icon, choose your custom workout and go. The watch tracks every segment and buzzes your arm when it’s time to move on, so you can focus on running instead of watching the clock.
2. Speed
If you’re the type that gets a little touchy at the start of a race and ends up burned out in the middle (like me), the Pacer can help.
From a running workout on your watch, tap time iconscroll down to The Pacerpress the button + buttonchoose your race distance and enter the time to finish your goal. The clock calculates the speed you will need to maintain.
Next, go back to that timer icon in the upper right corner of your workout on the watch, and scroll down to find the Pacer plan you just created. The interface will now display a progress bar on the screen instead of your usual, moving stats to show whether you are ahead or behind your target pace. Red means you’re lagging behind, green means you’re moving faster than your target, and the sweet spot is somewhere in between.
You can also swipe between screens to see your general workout stats during a run.
3. Race Route
If you always use the same local loop or route, you may be able to use it to compete against you.
Turn on the running workout, press the button time iconscroll down to Race Track and choose one of your own saved routes. Then choose whether you want to compete against your personal record or your most recent run.
I’m still working my way back from injury, so I’ll use it to chase my previous best.
Bonus features of the Apple Watch Ultra
Ultra models in Apple’s smartwatch line, such as the latest Apple Watch Ultra 3, add several functional features that you won’t find on a regular Apple Watch.
Getting Started
If you’ve ever started a workout with an Apple Watch, you’re familiar with the three-second countdown after pressing start. This, among other things, provides the viewing time for receiving a GPS signal. But it’s not good on race day if you just want to get up and go.
To remove it and enable precise startup, turn it on Settings on your watch, scroll down to Exercise and open Getting Started.
Now when you start exercising, the timer starts immediately. It may not be locked to GPS right off the bat, but you’ll know if it is when the compass icon in the upper left corner turns blue.
The action button uses a shortcut
If you want to run really fast, you can assign an Action Button to start your favorite workout.
Go to Settings > Action Buttonchoose Exercisethen less First Press choose Outdoor Running. You can even assign it to run one of the Custom Actions you just created.
Quick Stop Shortcut
Instead of relying on Auto Pause, the Apple Watch Ultra model also allows you to pause and resume a workout by pressing any two buttons at the same time – no sweaty screen swipes.
More effective AI features in your future
If you have an Apple Intelligence-compatible 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 intensity data to give you personalized real-time encouragement during your run.
Instead of standard commands, it can say things like, “This is your fastest mile yet,” or remind you that you’ve already run 40 miles this month. Since the upcoming watchOS 27 will be released 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 best, I hope a few of these tips will help you make your next run a success.
