Whether you run for enjoyment, fitness or to train for a race, knowing the distance you run provides useful information. You gain a sense of your speed and can track the total miles you log each week as a fitness record. Several options allow you to measure the distance you run. The accuracy of the methods varies. Choose your method of measuring running mileage based on how accurate you need your measurements to be and personal preference.
Step 1
Run on a track or trail that has the mileage marked along the way. Keep track of the laps you run on the track to calculate your total distance, or tally the miles as you run past signs on a marked trail.
Step 2
Time your run on the track or trail, and divide the time by the distance to get your average speed. When you run in a location that isn't marked, use time as a way to estimate your distance. If you average a 10-minute mile, a 40-minute run in your neighborhood would be about four miles. Difference in terrain may affect your speed.
Step 3
Print off the map from a local race that is the same distance you want to run. Follow the map to know exactly how far you run.
Step 4
Map out your desired route ahead of time if you know where you plan to run with a website, such as MapMyRun. Enter your starting address and plot out your run to determine the distance.
Step 5
Drive the route you plan to run using the trip calculator on your car's odometer to measure the distance. If you don't want to plan out your route ahead of time, run first and drive the route afterward.
Step 6
Wear a GPS-enabled running watch while you run. The watch uses GPS to measure your running distance, time and speed. Some watches allow you to transfer the information to your computer to store.
Things You'll Need
- GPS running watch
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