Runners: distance?

[Kathy02]

Hi, I have been running all summer long and am starting to question the distance that I thought I was running. I am running outside, so I don't have a device telling me how far I'm going. How does one calculate how far it is that they ran? I have tried just driving to the point that I run to and back, but how accurate is that on my odometer? I guess it's probably right on, but I just need to know becuase my bubble burst this morning then. I thought I was running 5 miles to the point that I was going to, but according to my odometer it's not that at all. It's more like 4. I would much rather believe it to be 5, ya know!
Please help, does it really matter how far I've ran, or the time that it took me to run that distance?

Thank you!
Kathy

 

[CurlyQ]

Yup, your odometer is right - sorry to burst your bubble. It always feels farther while running for some reason. I have a hard time running to a point then turning around. I much prefer running a loop because I can go farther, I'm not sure why that is but I'm guessing it's because there's a destination not just a random turn around point(?) 4 miles is still really good though and if you added another mile (gradually) it wouldn't take much longer.

 

[Kathy02]

Thanks for the encouragement! I don't have any place that I can just run a loop unless I want to try to run 6 miles, maybe more like 6 1/2 miles, and really that doesn't seem very realistic to me right now, especially with winter coming up. So, I think that I will just stick to what I'm doing and work my way up to 5 miles. Maybe I'll work on time first though, I am doing 4 in about 55 min, pretty slow! Of course I start off walking to warm up and then walk to cool down, so that might have something to do with my time too.

Kathy

 

[kpage1230]

Kathy,

Unfortunately, I agree with the other person who responded to you, your car odometer is probably very close. I know it can be discouraging, but don't let it get to you, you're doing really well. I live in Iowa and know what you're saying about the upcoming weather, but I still run outside unless it's super cold or really icy out. If you have the proper clothing, the cold itself won't bother you. On days when you feel good, just run a bit farther and you'll be up to 5 or 6 miles sooner than you think. Good luck.

Karen

 

[JeanneMarie]

I thought I was running 5 miles to
>the point that I was going to, but according to my odometer
>it's not that at all. It's more like 4. I would much rather
>believe it to be 5, ya know!


I feel your pain! I did the same thing several years ago when I started running... thought I was going 3 miles, turned out it was only 2. I figured it out by driving my route in the car.

Now I run a 3 mile loop every morning, and I'm positive it's 3 miles because I drove it! In fact, several of the neighborhood kids, including my DS, run Cross Country and they use my route when they practice at home.

Good luck with your running. 4 miles is great!

 

[Mckmain]

Yes...your car is probably right......I have always used my car to measure. But recently I did get a GPS watch to track the distance I run and of course I question that!!! 4 miles is awesome. As far as what matters, it depends on you...I am a mileage runner so I go for a certain mileage instead of a certain time. its just a preference. Keep it up, you are doing great......Carole

 

[Jennifit]

"Please help, does it really matter how far I've ran, or the time that it took me to run that distance?"

Hi,

That answer depends on your goal. Is your goal to run five miles in a specific time or is it to run a good 40 minutes or so? Makea goal, which will help your running greatly. Find a race (autumn races are great) and go for it!

Good for you for running and going for it! Although your odometer is correct the fact remains that you chose to run that day and that is something to be celebrated!

jenni