What Data Should You Monitor for Each Race and Running Strategy?

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro and Active 3 Premium provide runners with dozens of different data points. You can choose which ones you want to see on the screen and how they are arranged. One screen can display a single metric, while another can show up to eight. In total, you can use 10 data screens.

That doesn’t mean you should display everything. Too much information can be distracting and make it harder to make decisions during a race. It is better to choose the metrics that will actually help you execute your race strategy. Different data will be useful for a negative split, maintaining a steady pace, or tackling a challenging course profile.

The examples below focus primarily on road races. In trail running, pace is often less useful because of the constantly changing terrain. In that case, metrics such as running power, heart rate, elevation gain, or total race time may be more useful.

NEGATIVE SPLIT STRATEGY

What does this strategy involve? You run the first half of the distance more slowly to conserve energy for the second half. If you start too fast, you may fade significantly later in the race and lose much more than you gained during the opening kilometers.

Which data can help you execute this plan? Above all:

  • average lap pace, or lap pace,
  • current pace,
  • distance or lap distance,
  • heart rate,
  • optionally, total race time.

One of the most important metrics will be lap pace. If you plan to run the first half more slowly, you should also know what average pace you want to maintain over that section. Current pace can fluctuate because of climbs, descents, or wind, so there is no need to react nervously to every short-term change. What matters more is the average pace shown by lap pace. If it starts to deviate significantly from your target, you can calmly adjust your pace.

Lap distance can also be useful. Once you reach halfway, press the lower-right button on the watch. Lap distance and lap pace will reset and start counting from zero. This makes it easy to monitor both the distance covered and average pace during the second half without having to do any additional calculations.

Heart rate is another important metric for monitoring effort. If it is higher than expected, it is worth considering why. The reason could be high temperature, humidity, insufficient recovery, but also a climb or a headwind. In such a situation, it is better to slow down slightly and stay in control rather than use up too much energy too early.

The fifth metric that can be particularly useful when chasing a personal best is total race time. It allows you to assess in real time whether you are still on track to finish within your target time.

STEADY PACE STRATEGY

Maintaining exactly the same pace throughout a race is not always possible. Climbs, descents, wind, and temperature can all affect your pace. Instead of trying to maintain an identical pace for every kilometer, it is therefore better to look at the bigger picture.

In this case, the most useful metrics will be current pace and average pace, along with heart rate, distance, and total race time. Together, they can help you assess whether you are running according to plan and keeping your effort under control.

Unlike a negative split strategy, there is no need to focus on dividing the race into a first and second half. The main goal is to maintain as even a pace as possible throughout the distance while taking the conditions on the course into account.

A STRATEGY ADAPTED TO THE COURSE PROFILE

If the course has a challenging profile, it is worth preparing for it before race day. Downloading the route and checking its elevation profile can help you identify longer climbs, descents, or more technical sections in advance.

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro and Active 3 Premium support routes saved in .gpx format. This allows you to analyze the course and divide the race into several stages, adapting your strategy to each section.

On climbs, your pace may naturally slow down, so there is not always a reason to maintain your target pace at all costs. In these sections, heart rate, running power, or elapsed time may be more useful. It may be better to wait until the course profile becomes more favorable before increasing your pace.

USING MULTIPLE DATA SCREENS

You don’t have to put all the information on a single screen. You can split the data across two or three screens and switch between them during the race.

On the first screen, it makes sense to display three or four key metrics, such as current pace, lap pace, distance, and heart rate. The second screen could show just one or two additional metrics, such as total race time.

This can be particularly convenient for people who normally wear glasses but take them off during races. Instead of trying to read lots of small numbers on a single screen, you can switch between simpler views.

An additional screen can also display the course profile. Seeing an upcoming climb makes it easier to understand why your pace is slowing or your heart rate is rising. This allows you to make calmer, more informed decisions instead of unnecessarily fighting to maintain your pace before every hill.

ESTIMATED FINISH TIME

Another useful metric can be ETA, or estimated finish time. The feature, available through the Grun for Amazfit app, allows you to see the approximate time at which you are expected to reach the finish line. When chasing a specific result, this can be more convenient than simply looking at total race time. Instead of calculating your projected result based on your pace and elapsed time, you can see the estimated finish time directly.

If the projected finish time starts moving away from your target, that is a clear signal that you may need to adjust your pace.

The Grun for Amazfit app is available in the Zepp App and can be installed free of charge on both the Cheetah 2 Pro and Amazfit 3 Premium.

ALERTS CAN HELP YOU STAY IN CONTROL

Alerts can be a useful complement to the data you monitor during a race. When using a negative split or steady-pace strategy, a heart rate alert can be particularly useful. On the Cheetah 2 Pro and Active 3 Premium, you can set an alert for exceeding a specific heart rate or percentage of HR max. This provides an additional safeguard against starting the race too aggressively.

You can also set reminders for hydration or taking a gel. These can appear at specific time intervals, such as every 30 minutes, or be linked to the number of calories burned.

For mountain and trail races, route-related alerts can also be useful. Warnings about an upcoming climb, descent, or turn allow you to prepare for a change in the nature of the course. In these races, current pace often becomes less important, while running power, heart rate, elevation gain, or total race time may matter more.

HAVE A PLAN, BUT DO NOT FALL TOO MUCH IN LOVE WITH IT

The purpose of all this data is not to have you constantly checking your watch. On the contrary, a well-configured screen should allow you to quickly check the most important information and get back to running. Before the start, it is therefore worth considering which strategy is best for you and which data will actually help you execute it.

However, even the best plan may need to change. “Sometimes the smartest decision you can make is knowing when to walk away from the original plan and adapt to what is in front of you. Ultimately, that decision may turn out to be the best one. So, have a plan, but don’t fall too much in love with it,” says Ruth Croft, who had to change her strategy during UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2025 and focus simply on making it through the night.

The same principle applies to road racing. Your watch should help you execute your strategy, but it should never force you to stick to it at all costs. Data is there to help you make decisions — including the decision to change your plan when that turns out to be the best option.

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