Map My Run

You know how long you've run, but have you been wondering how far?  You've been consistently running about 30 minutes a day, but you may not have any idea how far you've gone.  You may not be sure if you're ready for a 5K (3.1 miles) event or not.  If you've been running for 30 minutes non-stop, you've probably already run 5 kilometers on your own.  Let's find out.

Before GPS (global positioning system), the easiest, most reliable way to figure out the distance you've traveled was by either consulting a map, or using the odometer on your car.  For unmapped trails it was either a surveyor's wheel or a very long tape measure.  My dad and I once measured a 3/4 mile trail behind our house using a 100' measuring tape--it wasn't fun especially when we lost count at 21 the first time through.  Anyone who has tried using a pedometer, knows how hard they are to calibrate and how unreliable the results can be.  Technology to the rescue!
 
With the advent of GPS devices, you can accurately track your distance from the comfort of your home, without wasting any gas.  Although there are several free tracking programs available online, my favorite is MapMyRun (www.mapmyrun.com).  Create an account, type in your starting point, ending point, and a few points in between and it will calculate the distance for you.  It's easy to use and not only has roads but some trails.  Forget the measuring tape and needless trips in the car.  Fire-up your computer instead.

LACE UP, log in and map your run.  The results might be surprising!