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Using A Running Distance Calculator, Is It Essential?

Calculating the distance every time you run is something that any athlete should do. However, calculating the distance is never easy when the distance is long, the surfaces are uneven, or there are many bends. Therefore, the use of a running distance calculator should be considered.

Using A Running Distance Calculator, Is It Essential?

Is it essential to use a running distance calculator?

A well-established goal transforms your training regimen into a yardstick to gauge your progress. Seeing your incremental improvements through the weeks affords you a tangible reward. And, if you find yourself regressing your goal can serve as a baseline for understanding what is going wrong in your training whether it’s enthusiasm or other variables.

As far as race performance goes, goals are an essential building block to success, as you define it. Without a definite goal as part of your training region, you are more likely to run out of steam midway through the race. But if you have pinpointed the best goal, and have trained towards that goal effectively, you are much likelier to locate and stick with the proper pace throughout the race.

 

See also: Top 5 Running Apps For Personal Trainer To Reach Final Goals

 

How to choose my running distance?

For experienced runners of mid- or short distances, the task of setting a pace for marathon training can be a daunting one. And if you are a beginner preparing for your first race, it can feel as arbitrary as choosing numbers for the lottery. At worst, it can even intensify self-doubt. After all, the stakes are high: goals are what determines success or failure.

When done right, however, the process of setting goals draws upon your own physiology rather than your psychology. A wise goal fuses your physiological and psychological strengths to boost performance to your true potential.

Below are some guidelines that will help you reach your goal and your potential on race day.

  • Experiment with speed workouts

During marathon training, I set aside one day per week to run fast. Or, should I say “faster Speed workouts are a good addition regardless of what race you are training for.

  • Tempo runs

This type of run, which is usually paced 10% faster than your “comfort” speed, is a valuable way of raising your aerobic threshold and therefore improving your aerobic pace. The easiest way to identify your tempo run pace is the “talk test.” If you can have a conversation, you are not running fast enough; if you are gasping for air, you are running too fast. You should be able to spit out a short sentence, though. If I am training for a 10K, I do a four-or five-mile tempo run twice a week.

  • Aim for consistency

The most important goal of any training program is to be consistent, a true marker of endurance. You may have run your fastest pace ever a week before the race. But can you perform that way again and again? Run your goal pace at a variety of distances, in a variety of conditions. When I am training for a marathon, I run my marathon goal pace 3 times a week, starting at seven miles and working towards the 18- or 20 miles at which my training tops out Even though I can run faster than my marathon pace for shorter distances. I spend a lot of time getting comfortable with that pace. I liken it to cruise control in a car, with the bulk of my mental energy expended not on going faster, but on running smarter and hydrating effectively.

  • Track your progress

The most important item for stable progression towards your race goal is tracking it. You can use a GPS watch, an app on your phone, or just a training journal. The benefit of GPS watches is that they will give you second-by-second feedback on many aspects of your performance, including heart rate, splits, and distance.

  • Adapt

I feel bad when I don’t meet my goal. But I seldom finish a run feeling like my goal is unattainable. Failure pushes me to try new training methods and techniques. It should teach you how to overcome your limitations. But what if you have the opposite problem? What if you are halfway through training and you think you are going to easily meet your goal? Reset it. Goals are only meaningful if they help you tap into the true knowledge of success that lies beyond the simple meeting of a goal.

 

5 most accurate running distance calculator apps 

There’s a lot of apps that can measure distance, not to mention, they are easily downloadable through Google Play Store. Here are some of them:

1. Maps by Google

google map

It’s not a surprise that Google Maps topped our list when it comes to the best distance measuring apps.

As we all know, measuring the distance between places is an understatement of what this app could do. It offers us routes, traffic information, approximate time of arrival based on the traffic situation, how to commute to places, and so much more.

This app also gives us an actual street view. You might’ve encountered a car that says Google strolling around. Well, that’s how they give us a street view in their app. Cool, right?

With all this being said, what I love most about this app is that the distance of places to one another is accurate. It’s safe to say that I do trust this app in terms of its functionalities.

Get it on: Google Play

 

2. Maps Distance Calculator

Maps Distance Calculator

Next on our list is the Maps Distance Calculator.

Unlike Google Maps, this app only allows you to measure the distance between two places. However, it doesn’t mean that this app isn’t a good competitor in terms of calculating distances

You might think that Google Maps have it all but wait until you download this app. Maps Distance Calculator allows you to draw the path between the locations. Amazing, right?!

For me, it would be so helpful if you know some shortcuts around some areas. For example, if you are to direct a friend to your house, letting them know a shortcut would be greatly appreciated.

You can also choose from different units of measurement and save the path and distance which makes the app great!

Get it on: Google Play

 

3. GPS Fields Area Measure

GPS Fields Area Measure

You might think that you have seen it all… But, the GPS Fields Area Measure app has more to offer for you. As its name states, this app could not only measure distance but could also calculate the area of a lot.

How cool is that? Now, this app allows you to measure by either GPS measuring or manual measuring.

To explain more about that, manual measuring will let you calculate the distance or area by simply plotting the points on the map. On the other hand, GPS measuring will calculate the distance or area as you run or walk through a path.

Get it on: App Store / Google Play

 

4. WellTraining

This application has a running distance calculator function to measure the total distance that you have trained. It uses GPS data to record exercise progress, calculate and measure exercise statistics.

More than just measuring distance effectively, WellTraining users can compare their training performance over time. View your routes on the most popular routes, track your progress and analyze performance on your personal phone.

Set a goal and try your workout with WellTraning, we guarantee your distance calculation efficiency will be shown most clearly and accurately.

Get it on: App Store / Google Play

 

5. Distance & Area Measure

Distance & Area Measure

The Distance and Area Measure app is most likely similar to the previous one. It can measure not only the distance of two places ut also compute for the area by simply pinning points to the map.

This app has the best graphics. You can choose between three different map modes namely: satellite, 2D, and 3D.

The app is easy to navigate and sleek. You can also easily measure the distance of two countries or continents with this app because of its zoom-out feature.

Now, you might be thinking about why we put it in 5th place despite its great features.

Well, the answer is simple. Aside from not having a search bar to easily locate the places, it also has no GPS measuring features, making it fall short for 4th place.

Get it on: Google Play

 

In an age of strong technology, taking advantage of smart applications in physical activity is something that anyone should do. Especially, owning a running distance calculator app is essential.

WellTraining

Read more:

Running Cadence: Definition, Calculator & Ways To Improve

Running Pace Calculator: Incredible Tips For Beginners