Apple Watch and running data

Hi

Yes - Apple Watch Series 1 can be used to track an outdoor running workout without taking your iPhone along.

To record your workout as a specific activity, be sure to track it using the Workout app (or a third-party app that shares data to Health), selecting Outdoor Run as the workout type:

• Work out with your Apple Watch - Apple Support
• Running
• Workout overview

When used without taking the paired iPhone along, in order to estimate distance, the Workout app relies on data from the built-in accelerometer. Be sure to allow the arm on which you are wearing your Apple Watch to swing naturally whilst running.

After you have completed your workout, once your Apple Watch and iPhone have reconnected via Bluetooth, your workout results will be synced automatically to the companion Activity app (and Health app) on your iPhone. The results can then be reviewed on your iPhone at any time:

• On your iPhone, in the Activity app, go to: Workouts (tab) > tap on a workout to view the results.
• Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

For improved accuracy of estimations, you may wish to calibrate your Apple Watch by taking your iPhone along during some initial workouts. Detailed instructions for doing so are provided here:

Calibrating your Apple Watch Series 1 or earlier for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

Other tips for getting the most accurate measurements are detailed here:

Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Note the the distance recorded is just the number of steps taken during the rune without the phone. The number of steps is converted to distance by taking into accout your stride length when you ran with the phone with GPS on the phone determining actual distance.

How Apple Watch estimates distance, how to calibrate your watch and how to get the most accurate estimates are all already explained within my previous reply and the linked resources.

Apple's recommendations include, for example, calibrating your Apple Watch for at least 20 minutes at each of the different speeds at which you typically walk, jog and/or run.

For more information on this and other factors that affect activity tracking, see the related links in my previous reply.