Around the world, running fever shows no sign of slowing. The sport’s accessibility is a major part of its appeal, but creating a structured training plan and sticking to a routine remains challenging for many.
The Galaxy Watch8 series’ Running Coach feature offers personalized training for every skill level, helping runners — especially beginners and those who prefer to train solo — find joy in their progress.
After two years of running without a coach, Korean fitness influencer Narae Kim (@healthy_naraekim) felt her progress had plateaued. With Running Coach, she set out to push past that barrier. Samsung Newsroom followed her journey to see how it went.
Getting Started With Running Coach
Running without a goal can only take someone so far. For those unsure where to begin, the Galaxy Watch8 series offers an easy starting point. By simply slipping it on and heading outside, runners can use Running Coach in Samsung Health to set personalized goals.
The first step is the running level test. Before training begins, Running Coach evaluates a runner’s ability, assigns one of 10 levels and recommends a tailored program lasting three to five weeks.
▲ Running Coach evaluates each runner’s current ability before starting a program.
The method is simple — enter previous running experience into the Galaxy Watch8 series, then run as far as possible in 12 minutes. Beginners can start with walking or light jogging, gradually picking up the pace as guided by the watch. For the most accurate results, complete the test on a flat course and avoid overexertion the day before.
For her running level test, Kim ran at a steady pace for 12 minutes and entered her rating of perceived exertion (RPE).1 The result placed her at level 6 — for runners aiming to complete a half marathon, with the specific goal of finishing 15 kilometers in under 1 hour, 42 minutes and 43 seconds. To reach that target, Running Coach created a five-week plan with 19 customized sessions.
Running Coach breaks down goals into 10 levels, guiding beginners toward a 5K and experienced runners toward a full marathon with step-by-step progression.
▲ Running Coach offers customized training plans for every level from beginners to marathoners.
Customized Programs To Match Any Level
One of the biggest questions in training is, “How far and how fast should I run today?” Running Coach provides a clear answer.
In the first week of her program, Kim opened Running Coach during an early morning visit to Hangang Park in Seoul. The day’s session was already laid out — no guesswork required.
Running Coach offers 15 to 19 customized sessions at each level. The plans call for three to four runs per week with recovery built in, making it easier to maintain a steady routine. After completing over 70% of a program, runners can test into the next level or retake the level test to update their training.
As a level 6 runner, Kim’s first session was a light 50-minute jog — manageable for her and a pleasant way to enjoy a crisp autumn morning.
▲ Sessions on Running Coach’s level 6 program
Running Coach in Samsung Health offers 160 programs, helping runners train systematically by level and goal. Instead of simply increasing intensity, the feature gradually adjusts difficulty to reduce injury risk and encourage lasting habits.
Beginners can build endurance with walking and low-intensity jogging, while skilled runners improve through sessions that incorporate high-intensity intervals, long slow distance2 runs and fartlek training.3 Each level’s program is designed to steadily build ability, track progress and deliver a sense of accomplishment.
Coaching in Real Time
Consistency of pace is one of the most important aspects of running, but keeping breathing and speed steady can be difficult. When Kim’s breathing faltered during one session, her Galaxy Watch8 gave real-time audio feedback such as “Slow down” and “Keep it up!” — like having a personal coach at her side.
Running Coach is more than an app that tracks distance and time. Powered by the Galaxy Watch8 series’ advanced sensors, the feature delivers real-time data in an intuitive way — helping runners understand their pace and fitness level as they train.
▲ Running Coach provides real-time feedback, helping runners adjust heart rate and pace.
During runs, the watch displays key metrics such as split pace, heart rate and left-right balance to help runners stay in rhythm and build proper habits. After each session, a detailed report is generated with the runner’s self-entered RPE to show how well the run matched their fitness level.
▲ Runners can view post-run metrics including maximum oxygen uptake and heart rate.
Most importantly, Running Coach provides scored feedback that makes progress easy to see at a glance. Beyond simple numbers, the feature creates a sense of growth and achievement through structured training — a strength that sets it apart.
Add Up Scores To Build a Routine
Running consistently requires not only stamina but also routine. Beyond Running Coach, the Galaxy Watch8 series offers features that help build lasting habits.
Each morning, Kim checks her Energy Score and Sleep Score in Samsung Health to choose a running session that matches her condition. Energy Score combines sleep, activity and heart rate data to measure physical and mental wellness on a scale of 0 to 100. The feature also offers daily recovery tips to balance exercise and rest.
As a professional who often works overtime, she has found this feature especially helpful for maintaining her program without overexertion.
▲ Energy Score and Sleep Score in Samsung Health
Google Gemini — available on a smartwatch for the first time with the Galaxy Watch8 series — takes the running experience even further. From her wrist, Kim asked, “Show me nearby flat running routes.” With Gemini’s help, she discovered new courses to explore.
Even indoors on the treadmill, she could simply say, “Convert my pace in minutes per kilometer to treadmill speed in kilometers per hour.” Gemini instantly delivers the result, making the feature just as useful for indoor training.
A Partner for the Long Run
After completing her five-week plan, Kim retook the running level test — and advanced to the next tier. The personalized training programs in Galaxy Watch8 series’ Running Coach had clearly elevated her performance.
“My goal is to complete a half marathon. Before using Running Coach, I often felt uncertain about pacing and adjusting intensity. But with its tailored programs and data-driven feedback, the quality and efficiency of my runs have clearly improved,” said Kim, reflecting on her experience. “What impressed me most was how it guides you step by step from the basics, almost like a textbook. I’d highly recommend it to beginner runners.”
“Running isn’t about heading out every single day — it’s more important to alternate training with recovery,” she added. For beginners, she recommended what she calls “leapfrog running,” an every-other-day approach. “The biggest motivation in running comes from seeing your own progress and achievements. With Running Coach, you can stay motivated to the very end — even when running solo.”
Consistency is the hardest part of running. But now, the Galaxy Watch8 series is a dependable partner on the wrist — one that tracks a runner’s rhythm and stays by their side. For anyone hoping to build the habit and sharpen their skills, why not start with the Galaxy Watch8 series’ Running Coach?
1 Rating of perceived exertion is a scale used to subjectively measure the intensity of physical activity.
2 Long slow distance is a training method builds endurance and cardiovascular strength by running long distances at a slow pace.
3 Fartlek, Swedish for “speed play,” is a flexible training method that alternates faster running with slower jogging without fixed intervals.