Best way to measure distance?

e17 pixie

05/11/2006 at 13:03

This week's Reader to Reader question was emailed to me...

"What is the easiest and most effective way to measure the distances you're running? I've tried pedometers, bike computers and route-finder websites, but don't feel they have given me reliable info. What's the best way?"

Meself, I just tend to guess the distance based on how long I've been running for....

Please lend us your thoughts!

M...eldy

pirate

05/11/2006 at 13:08

I like to use my Garmin as I find it quite reliable but I have played with www.mapmyrun.com just for some variety!!

Failing that tie one end of string to your doorhandle and carry the other with you, on your return you can measure the string.

Plodding Hippo

05/11/2006 at 13:09

started with a pedometer-rubbish-and overstimates
then used map24.com
now use a garmin

Welsh Alex

05/11/2006 at 13:24

I use a surveyors tape measure. Two of us go running and I run until the 30m tape is all used up, then my partner runs past me 30m, running 60m in total, until he is at the end of the tape. We then radio back to base where my coach counts up the totals on a whiteboard.

Welsh Alex

05/11/2006 at 13:26

You could also use a blackboard or even a pen and paper. I have heard of peeps' coaches using Microsoft Excel, but you have to watch out for the blue screen of death which can make a training session totally ineffective if all your data is lost.

summer

05/11/2006 at 13:54

Best way I,ve found is to get a map measure. You find them in outdoor pursuits sections. They measure your route in km or miles. Great if you deviate off a normal run, you can then work out how far you have been. It is basic but works. I have been known to drive around routes before but not that effective!!

dan dan

05/11/2006 at 14:07

I have cross referenced my running routes with both my garmin and map24.com- they differed by only 1.5%, which equates to only 20 or 25 metres difference per mile.

I'm happy to accept that they are both really pretty accurate, and that margin of error is so negligible as to have no real effect on any training I will ever do.

Hollywood (busy on runsaturday.com) pirate

pirate

05/11/2006 at 14:13

I don't see the need for all these hi-tech solutions. Since men take about 10 seconds to run 100m and women take about 11 seconds, then all you have to do is divide the length of time you run for by the number of 10 (or 11) second intervals to work out the distance.

M...eldy

pirate

05/11/2006 at 14:18

you see. all you had to do was ask ? :-)

david bastow

05/11/2006 at 14:58

IF YOUR GOING ROAD RUNNING GO ROUND IN THE CAR BEFORE OR AFTER AND MEASURE FROM THE CAR MILEAGE.
OR DIVIDE THE TIME IT TAKES BY WHAT YOU ESTIMATE YOU RUN A MINUTE MILE AT THEN YOU GET THE MILES COVERED

Arthur Rabbit

05/11/2006 at 15:14

I use the google pedometer (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/) Click on "more options", select "UK" and enter your location. You can save routes as well. With the google zoom-in and map/satellite pics overlay you can get very precise measurements.

That's my Battersea park route:
Http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=503812.

Muttley

05/11/2006 at 15:30

Garmin.

Flr

05/11/2006 at 15:35

I don't get on with Garmin (sacrilage I know) but I do get a pretty good guess at distance from gmap pedometer. Tbh I think Garmin can lead to spurious detail as accuracy: your heart and lungs don't care if that good run was 12.6 miles or 13.1 miles.

The Hoose-Goer

05/11/2006 at 15:39

used to have old street map with a bit of string with "mile markers" and trace me route that way. Now, being posh and on T'net I use the "map my run" site:O)

Muttley

05/11/2006 at 15:58

Alternatively: measure the distance on a map of a favourite route. Preferably fairly short and straight to increase accuracy. Run the route at your normal comfortable plodding pace, a couple of times just to compare results. Average out the pace and then calculate your distance by time.

I find that is accurate enough for common or garden plodding. 90 minutes is going to be 9 to 9.5 miles for me. When I bought my Garmin I found I was pretty much on the money for my estimated distances.

Stickless

05/11/2006 at 16:01

String and a large scale map for footpath routes,

g-map pedometer for roads.

I don't like measuring distance at all these days, tooooo depressing. I don't need confirmation of how slowly I run.

Dronach

05/11/2006 at 17:30

Nike+ does me. I'm happy with the accuracy and it is consistent for my runs, if I do the same route it comes out the same.

Guru Josh

05/11/2006 at 18:27

Whether you use a car, garmin, gmaps, map my run it doesn't matter. I would just say that make sure you stick to the same one. If you change between them your distances will fluctuate. Stick to the same one and at least it will be proportionate.

cathexis

05/11/2006 at 18:49

As I'm based in London, I started off using the Run London routeplanner (www.runlondon.com) which was pretty accurate but didn't always take account of the distance added by winding roads.

I now use Nike +iPod, which is extremely accurate, moreso if you calibrate it properly. I also have a Fitbug pedometer (www.fitbug.co.uk) which is extremely accurate - don't slate pedometers until you've tried this!) and also gives me discounts on my health insurance premiums through a special scheme with my provider, PruHealth.

Mike S

05/11/2006 at 20:19

The MAGIC GIS website (www.magic.gov.uk) has an excellent distance measuring facility.

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