On the run in the beautiful island
Planning your long run, measuring distances with Google Maps
The long run, according to US Olympian Jeff Galloway, “will help you more than any other component of your training program.” It is an integral part of marathon and endurance training. But how do you plan and measure your long run route without having to go out and use an odometer, pedometer or global positioning system (GPS) device?
It’s easy. Use Google Maps.
PLANNING, MEASURING LONG RUN ROUTE. Google Maps allows you to plan ahead and measure your running routes. Above is the route I planned for our two-city long run this Sunday, Nov. 1. Click on photo to view larger image.Google Maps offers two tools that allow you to trace a route on a map, satellite image or a composite of the two, and then measure its distance. To use the tool, log into Google Maps using your GMail account and then click on My Maps and then choose Browse Directory.
You will then be presented with several add-ons to your Google Maps account. You can either pick Distance Measurement Tool or Area and Distance Calculator. I’ve long been using Area and Distance Calculator but I recently tested Distance Measurement Tool and found it to be better. Click on the Add it to Maps button below the tool area.
After adding the tool, just load a map and start tracing your route. The panel on the left side will keep updating you on the total distance of the route you are tracing on the map.
Is it accurate?
In my experience, yes. I plan out Marlen’s and my Sunday long runs using Google Maps and then use a Garmin 205 for the actual run. The variances in distance are negligible.
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About the author
Max Limpag is an editor of Sun.Star Cebu, a blogger and a newbie runner. His technology blog Leon Kilat: The Cybercafe Experiments was awarded the best technology blog in the first Philippine Blog Awards.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Max Limpag on October 29, 2009 at 1:52 am, and is filed under Gear, Tips. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
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about 9 months ago
Hi Max looks like it’s accurate a good training for your 21k enjoy your run this sunday.
about 9 months ago
Hello Max!
You’re spot on about the long run. The members of Sugbu Triathlon will do a long run on November 29 as prep fo CCM and another one in December. Maybe you want to join? Just join the forum at http://www.sugbutriathlon.com and look for the LSD thread.
The initial plan is to run from KM 0 to Cordova via 2nd bridge and Marigondon. We’re still finalizing the route though. The second option is to run the actual CCM route, if we can get permission from SRP. Kinsay pananghiran aning SRP Max?
about 9 months ago
Hi, Haids,
Thanks! That would be an interesting run to join but it might be too long for me right now. But I definitely want to join the group one of these days because I want to write about them. I’ll contact you for help getting in touch with the group.
About the SRP, I was told you’d have to coordinate with the SRP police. But John would know more because he and the other CERC members were able to get permission to run there several weeks back when they were still finalizing the CCM route.
about 9 months ago
hi! there’s also a nice and easier tool to measure distances than goggle maps although it incorporates the gmaps too. try looking up http://www.sportsdistancecalculator.com. the best part is you can save your week’s (or even month’s) planned routes into this site and just search for it later. really an easier site to use than goggle maps.
about 8 months ago
I have been using googlemap during my long distance run since I started running last July and I find it accurate.
about 5 months ago
hi max,
thanks to this article, i’ve managed to plot my lsd runs better. i don’t own any hi-tech gps watch so i find google maps very helpful. i hope you don’t mind if i share this with other runner friends. more power with your blogsite. thanks again.
charles
about 4 months ago
bai max.., thank au sa imo info about measuring long run plan thru google map by adding distance measurement tool, maglibog pako sa area and distance calculator ky ma drag ug apil ang map.., pero atleast bai nana koy sukdanan.., wala man gud koy kumpleto nga gadgets.., stop watch ra jud tawn ako bai.., thanx again bai…,