40 INTERACTIONS MARCH–APRIL2015 INTERACTIONS.ACM.ORG UNTANGLING RUNNING:

DESIGNING FOR
REAL-LIFE RUNNER
E XPERIENCE S

Paweł Woźniak, Chalmers University of Technology Kristina Knaving, University of Gothenburg Staffan Björk, University of Gothenburg

Morten Fjeld, Chalmers University of Technology

 

HCI tools to build the well-being and health of society through technological interventions [ 2]. We believe this needs to be complemented by understanding usage in the wild, as detailed accounts of the users’ experience can truly inform future design [ 3].

The media image of a dedicated
runner depicts a highly motivated
individual in branded clothing who
runs in perfect weather on a well-
prepared route. When running is
presented in this way, it creates a
vision that spreads to other fields, such
as running technology design. The
technology we see today is presented
in the context of situations where
running is easy and fun. Technology
for motivational support is mainly
designed for entry-level runners.
After conducting extensive research
in understanding individual runners
and runner communities, we realized
that current technology supports only
a subset of seasoned runners’ needs.
Instead of creating technology for the
inspiring run in perfect weather, we
wish to design for the tougher aspects
of running.
People who already run regularly
and participate in races are a user group
different from novices, and they have
different expectations of their running
technology. Can technology help the
runner smeared in his own spit during
the last mile of a marathon? How do
Since running has low entry costs and
is widely available, it has become a key
fitness activity included in local and
national health strategies. Training
programs intended to help people start
running are reported in the mainstream
press, attracting interest from people
intrigued by the sport’s health and
leisure benefits. Marketing campaigns
have been launched to expand national
runner communities and persuade
more people to be part of the running
experience. As a consequence, many
design efforts in human-computer
interaction (HCI) have investigated
how to design systems promoting a
more active lifestyle [ 1]. These efforts
are part of a larger trend of using

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