First Ultra — Support

First Ultra is an iPhone and Apple Watch app that takes you from no running to your first ultramarathon, with run/walk coaching on the run.

Contact

Email Papaspudsllc@gmail.com with any question, problem or idea. Please include your iPhone model, iOS version and, if it's about the watch, your watch model. We reply to everything.

Common questions

Is it a subscription? No. The sample plan, GPS run coaching and the Lock Screen Live Activity are free. One purchase unlocks your own plan, the Apple Watch app, tune-up races and iCloud backup, for good. It works on every iPhone and Apple Watch signed in to your Apple Account, and with Family Sharing.

I bought it on another phone. Open Setup → Unlock the full version → Restore purchase.

The cues don't play. Check Setup → Run cues and use the test buttons there. With the phone locked, cues keep playing as long as the app has location access ("While Using" is enough). On a treadmill, choose Treadmill before Start so the app doesn't wait for GPS.

The watch app says it needs the full version. Buy or restore on the iPhone, then open the iPhone app once so the watch gets the update.

I'm a bigger runner. Is this for me? Yes, and it's built in, not an afterthought. Turn on Extra joint protection in setup (Setup → Your running to change it later). It's recommended above about 220 lb (100 kg), or with past shin, Achilles, foot or knee trouble. The plan then starts with longer walk breaks, increases each week by about 6% instead of 10%, adds a lighter week every third week, peaks a little lower, and, with four or more run days, swaps one run a week for low-impact cardio such as a bike or elliptical. Your joints get the time to adapt that your heart and lungs don't need. Setup → Running guide → "Running as a bigger athlete" covers shoes, surfaces and pacing.

I missed a week. On Today the app offers to repeat the week, push the plan back or rebuild from today, keeping your race date. You can also do this any time from Adjust on This week, and undo it in Setup → Plan adjustments.

I don't lift. Setup → Weekly schedule → turn off "Include strength sessions". The plan becomes running only.

My data. Everything stays on your devices and in your own iCloud. There are no accounts and no servers. See the privacy policy.

Health notice

First Ultra is a training planner, not medical advice. Check with a doctor before starting a training plan, and stop if something hurts.

PapaSpuds LLC