Im on the same boat trying to keep exercising every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to stay healthy and overcome beer craving 😪 not that I go wild every time but it makes me fat and Im trying to cut bad habits, last year stop smoking, on saturdays I go easy just 4km and done, during the week Im doing from 7 - 9 km and my pace is around the same 5-6 min per km depending on the hill, planning to get me a smartwatch, sometimes I go out with my cellphone but its not that safe down here so I prefer to leave it at home so it doesnt get stolen
It's not great if you have to worry about robbery. You could hide a phone on you or just use a cheap one you don't mind losing. Even basic ones have GPS now. I do love my Garmin though.
Having a running routine helps motivate you. I mix it up a bit too, but may try going slower on my long runs. I would like to go further.
Yes it sux, it already happen once and I dont want to go through the process of setting up a new phone, its not the phone its the setup, the apps, the credentials, recover data, I hate it so I just leave my phone at home, I live 1.5km from the park I go so its fine for now, thats why I want to get a smartwatch, small, can hide easy