On all COROS watches you will find at least two activity modes to track your runs. With the PACE/PACE 2 you will have the option to select "Run or Indoor Run", for all other models you will also have the option to choose "Trail Run". This article explains the differences between each mode and when to use each.
Run
The standard "Run" activity was designed to be used when running on paved or hard-packed roads with minimal elevation gain/loss. The "Run" activity mode is designed to work seamlessly with any downloaded workouts, training plans, or basic interval runs. "Run" mode also allows for you to access "Nav Settings" (PACE 2/PACE 3/APEX 42mm/APEX 46mm/APEX Pro/APEX 2/APEX 2 Pro/VERTIX/VERTIX 2/VERTIX 2S) to help you navigate routes, add checkpoints, navigate "Back to Start" and more.
In "Run" mode, you can access the following Activity Alerts: Distance, Pace, Cadence, Heart Rate, Nutrition, and Power. "Run" mode does impact your EvoLab metrics such as Threshold Pace, VO2 Max, etc. "Run" will give you an analysis of your run with a "Running Efficiency" metric. To view more information about EvoLab please see "EvoLab Metrics".
Indoor Run
The "Indoor Run" activity mode should be used whenever running indoors, whether that be an indoor track or treadmill. When selecting "Indoor Run", the GPS function of your watch is automatically turned off as GPS signals will be weak and inaccurate indoors.
"Indoor Run" utilizes cadence to estimate pace and distance with the help of a powerful cadence-pace model. If your pace appears to be wrong and needs to be updated, you can rely on the post-workout distance calibration on the watch. The watch will use the average cadence of the workout and the new distance to calculate the new pace for that cadence, updating the cadence-pace model. All the other cadences will receive an update via the model. The pace will be correct the next time you run indoors with any cadence.
In "Indoor Run" mode, you can access the following Activity Alerts: Distance, Pace, Cadence, and Heart Rate.
Trail Run
"Trail Run" mode is intended to be used on technical trails, trails with significant elevation gain/loss, or any extended/multi-day runs. "Trail Run" will default to using 3D Distance instead of standard Distance (to change go to Trail Run -> Settings -> 3D Distance). 3D distance utilizes elevation gain to calibrate the distance compared to 2D distance.
Trail Run mode features a Resume Later option in case you take long breaks between runs but want to capture it all as one activity (stage races for instance). To use this feature, pause your run, select "Resume Later" in the options. "Trail Run" mode also allows for you to access "Navi Settings" (PACE 2/PACE 3/APEX 42mm/APEX 46mm/APEX Pro/APEX 2/APEX 2 Pro/VERTIX/VERTIX 2/VERTIX 2S) to help you navigate routes, add checkpoints, navigate "Back to Start" and more.
At this time, training plans and interval training are not included in "Trail Run". "Trail Run" activities do not impact Marathon Level. In "Trail Run" mode, you can access the following Activity Alerts: Distance, Pace, Cadence, Heart Rate, Nutrition, and Power.
Custom Data Screens
Another benefit of having multiple activity modes for different types of running is to allow for the ability to customize data screens to display the information you find most valuable to view in the different modes. For example, if running around your neighborhood or on a track, you may not care about elevation or vertical gain/loss, but you may want to see this data while doing a "Trail Run".
To view more information on customizing data screens, please see Customize Activity Data Pages
*If you have unlocked EvoLab, each of the run modes mentioned above will be included in your analysis of Training Load, Base Fitness, and Fatigue levels*