Drum2Run
Jogging without fatigue.
Even uphill
The personal running assistant
Take care of your cardiovascular health. Just run to the music on the app.
Ilia Bukharov
Drum2Run Founder
I believe that regardless of body type, anyone can run
Discovering the secret to long-distance running: Balancing intensity by running in rhythm with music.
Part 1. The very beginning
In 2015, I decided to start running, but quickly realized that to run long distances, I needed to find the right balance of intensity. Otherwise, my body would begin to break down glucose and my breathing would become labored. However, by balancing my intensity, I found that I could run for hours without exhaustion. Read on to learn more about my journey and how finding the perfect intensity changed everything.
Part 1. The very beginning
In 2015, I decided to start running, but quickly realized that to run long distances, I needed to find the right balance of intensity. Otherwise, my body would begin to break down glucose and my breathing would become labored. However, by balancing my intensity, I found that I could run for hours without exhaustion. Read on to learn more about my journey and how finding the perfect intensity changed everything.
Part 2. Unleashing the Power of Aerobic Training: Understanding Anaerobic Threshold
In my quest to become a better runner, I delved into the nuances of physiology and discovered the concept of the anaerobic threshold - the point at which the body can no longer continue running. To put it simply, running in the absence of oxygen requires 18 times more energy to perform the same physical movements. This is due to glycogen, a form of glucose that is stored primarily in the liver and must be "unpacked" to release glucose. Interestingly, this anaerobic threshold is not fixed and can change with regular training. Experienced runners have a higher threshold, while beginners have a lower one.
Read more about anaerobic threshold
In my quest to become a better runner, I delved into the nuances of physiology and discovered the concept of the anaerobic threshold - the point at which the body can no longer continue running. To put it simply, running in the absence of oxygen requires 18 times more energy to perform the same physical movements. This is due to glycogen, a form of glucose that is stored primarily in the liver and must be "unpacked" to release glucose. Interestingly, this anaerobic threshold is not fixed and can change with regular training. Experienced runners have a higher threshold, while beginners have a lower one.
Read more about anaerobic threshold
Part 3. The Idea
It was during a mass run when I had a Eureka moment. I had tried different devices such as watches with heart rate monitors and bracelets, but they only provided simplistic advice like "go faster" or "slow down", and it was difficult to determine their accuracy. The problem was that it was challenging to regulate my heart rate precisely to maintain the right balance between aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Then, during the post-run discussions, my friend advised me not to use headphones during running. He explained that listening to music can affect your cadence, and you can inadvertently push yourself into anaerobic exercise, which is not only less efficient but also requires more energy. That's when my background in music helped me come up with a revolutionary idea.
It was during a mass run when I had a Eureka moment. I had tried different devices such as watches with heart rate monitors and bracelets, but they only provided simplistic advice like "go faster" or "slow down", and it was difficult to determine their accuracy. The problem was that it was challenging to regulate my heart rate precisely to maintain the right balance between aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Then, during the post-run discussions, my friend advised me not to use headphones during running. He explained that listening to music can affect your cadence, and you can inadvertently push yourself into anaerobic exercise, which is not only less efficient but also requires more energy. That's when my background in music helped me come up with a revolutionary idea.
Part 4. A Long Journey of Research
At that very moment, a business angel with a medical background joined our team and from the very first minutes of meeting, he understood the essence of my idea.
By adjusting the tempo of the music to match the rhythm at which the user is running, we can smoothly and accurately regulate their intensity. We quickly developed a prototype with our colleagues and began testing.
It turned out to be a very nontrivial task, but after several dozen modifications, we were able to understand exactly how the algorithm should work. At the same time, we had to develop an algorithm for generating music that would guide the training.
Later we then added voice comments that explain in understandable language everything that is happening in the body right now.
We trained and trained, recording training logs and refining the algorithm. Then came the idea to make it self-learning. That's when it really became a universal tool. We conducted about 300 training sessions before releasing the application and continue to train. This amount of training gave our team a habit of running and allowed us to participate in competitions and even achieve very good results. Moreover, all of us were far from being as fit as Kenyans. We all had excess weight, with BMI of around 30... We lost a lot of weight while testing. For example, I lost 20 kilograms!
At that very moment, a business angel with a medical background joined our team and from the very first minutes of meeting, he understood the essence of my idea.
By adjusting the tempo of the music to match the rhythm at which the user is running, we can smoothly and accurately regulate their intensity. We quickly developed a prototype with our colleagues and began testing.
It turned out to be a very nontrivial task, but after several dozen modifications, we were able to understand exactly how the algorithm should work. At the same time, we had to develop an algorithm for generating music that would guide the training.
Later we then added voice comments that explain in understandable language everything that is happening in the body right now.
We trained and trained, recording training logs and refining the algorithm. Then came the idea to make it self-learning. That's when it really became a universal tool. We conducted about 300 training sessions before releasing the application and continue to train. This amount of training gave our team a habit of running and allowed us to participate in competitions and even achieve very good results. Moreover, all of us were far from being as fit as Kenyans. We all had excess weight, with BMI of around 30... We lost a lot of weight while testing. For example, I lost 20 kilograms!
Part 5. The results
This algorithm really works! In addition to it, we developed an adaptive training plan to feel great while getting in shape. And the most amazing thing is that running has become really easy. Even if you miss a whole month of training! You can run 4 or 5 kilometers in the morning and the rest of the day passes without fatigue, only with vitality and pride in yourself! Then the application itself adapts all the load: both the pace and the duration of the workout, so that it is as beneficial as possible and without any stress on the body.
This algorithm really works! In addition to it, we developed an adaptive training plan to feel great while getting in shape. And the most amazing thing is that running has become really easy. Even if you miss a whole month of training! You can run 4 or 5 kilometers in the morning and the rest of the day passes without fatigue, only with vitality and pride in yourself! Then the application itself adapts all the load: both the pace and the duration of the workout, so that it is as beneficial as possible and without any stress on the body.
Part 6. About drawbacks
I'd like to pass the word to you, my dear readers. I would be very grateful if you try out my algorithm and share your feedback on how it could be improved.
I'd like to pass the word to you, my dear readers. I would be very grateful if you try out my algorithm and share your feedback on how it could be improved.
