Stop obsessing over distance, start studying elevation

Everyone loves talking about miles logged. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, or hiker, distance is the easiest metric to share and compare. It’s clean, simple, and usually earns a reaction like, “I don’t even like driving that far.” But while mileage looks impressive in a training log or calendar screenshot, it’s actually a poor predictor of how difficult a route will feel. If you’ve ever finished a workout thinking, “That was way harder than I expected,” the problem probably wasn’t the distance.

Fire up your fitness with new routes

New year, fresh goals, big motivation. And then suddenly… you’re running the same route again. And again. It’s easy to assume that when fitness goals fall apart, it’s because of discipline. But more often than not, it’s boredom. Research consistently shows that most New Year’s goals fade within the first few weeks, not because people don’t care, but because the process stops being interesting. Movement thrives on curiosity. That’s where new routes come in.

How to be an elite pacer using Footpath

Pacing an ultrarunner isn’t just about running beside them. Honestly, you’re rarely beside them. You’re usually a few steps ahead, a few steps behind, or setting a two-minute timer while they take a dirt nap in a pile of leaves. It’s about being their calm, confident navigator when the miles blur together, aid stations feel endless, and trail markers seem to disappear. Whether you’re guiding a friend through the night or helping an elite athlete chase a podium, your job as a pacer is to anticipate needs, stay on course, and keep spirits high.

How to clean up GPX files in Footpath

If you have ever uploaded or imported a GPX file only to find the line zig-zagging off the trail, floating through the woods, or cutting corners, you know how messy map lines can be. At first glance, the route might look fine, but when you zoom in, you may see it drifting off the actual road or trail and wandering through places you never intended to travel. These small inaccuracies can be confusing while navigating and will throw off your distance and elevation stats.

Overtraining in running and how to train smarter

Most runners have brushed up against it, some of us have barreled straight through it. Overtraining. It’s that sneaky state where too much running, not enough recovery, and a lack of planning collide into a perfect storm of fatigue, plateaued performance, and sometimes even injury. It’s easy to fall into this trap, especially as a newer runner when every group run feels like an exciting new adventure. You show up, run faster than usual because it’s fun pushing the pace with friends, and before you know it, your performance is not where you want it despite all the miles.

Route planning for multi-day adventures

Planning a multi-day backpacking, running, bike touring, or ski mountaineering trip can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. With Footpath, you can easily map, organize, and adjust your entire adventure from the palm of your hand (or your laptop), using powerful tools built specifically for outdoor explorers. We’re excited to have partnered with Amsterdam-based ultrarunner Jake Catterall to help share his incredible journey: a 350-kilometer supported run from the coast of Morocco all the way to the 4,167m (13,671 ft) summit of Mt.