Sports tech moves fast, but distance running might be where it is shifting the most.
Training in the sport has evolved over the years, and it isn’t just mileage and feel anymore. Data, pattern tracking and, in some cases, AI all help identify stride tendencies and recovery patterns long before an athlete or coach might notice them.
And wearables are the clearest starting point.
WHOOP, now common among endurance athletes, has leaned heavily into long-term recovery analytics. A 2025 study tracking nearly 1 million nights of data found that consistent wear was associated with lower resting heart rate, increased heart rate variability and more stable sleep patterns.