Essentials for Runners: Google Map Pedometer and MapMyRun

Carmen — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:00:01 +0000

So, today was an interesting day. For the first time since my first of two difficult-to-heal injuries – I ran. And it was truly a pathetic thing. A humbling spot, and one I never imagined I’d find myself in again. After all, I’ve run several 5Ks, a few 8Ks, one 10K and a very memorable and torturous half marathon. I’ve been a runner for quite a while. I wasn’t always a runner, though – when I first began my weight loss journey, I couldn’t even walk around the block without stopping to catch my breath. (And cry – but we can just pretend that we never spoke about that, OK? Keep it just between the two of us.) I started walking a block at a time, added a small distance every couple of days, and one day, found I was covering more than seven miles. I could either walk further or start running, so I started running. And until I injured myself, I ran just about every day.

But today was the day I had to start all over again. I went out and started with a warm-up walk, and once I felt comfortable with it, I added in short sprints. While I was trying to power through, and feeling perilously close to death, I wondered how much distance I had covered. I briefly entertained the idea of returning home and then driving the route with my car in order to use what my kids call the “trip tik” – and then I remembered MapMyRun. This site has a wealth of information, from routes that other members have posted, places to map your own run and even a log to record your efforts. There’s also the Google Map Pedometer, which is incredibly cool, and free to boot. Free is always my favorite way to be.

Keep track of your distance. I’ll bet you will become addicted to seeing those numbers jump!

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Essentials for Runners: Google Map Pedometer and MapMyRun

The 10,000 Steps a Day Walking Program

Matt — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:05:51 +0000

I’m sure you have all heard about the 10,000 steps per day thing, right? Well, I am a firm believer in it. The purpose of this goal is to get the sedentary, or couch potatoes, up on their feet more often. The average person’s stride is between two-and-a-half to three feet long, which calculates out to around 2,000 steps to walk a mile; while 10,000 steps is nearly five miles.

Again, this is a goal to motivate those who need a little extra kick in the butt to get moving. Set a goal for walking 10,000 steps and once you beat that for a week straight, up your goal to 11,000 steps per day.

I trust it would be fairly difficult to calculate the steps in your head or on paper, so a pedometer is very useful. A pedometer is a device that calculates the amount of steps that you take. Most pedometers allow you to set your actual stride length so that it can correctly calculate distances and various other elements. Pedometers come in all shapes and sizes as well as cheap or expensive. You can pick one up for five bucks or you can spent a couple hundred; whatever makes you happy. Good luck, and below are a few examples of how you can achieve your goal.

Take your dog for a walk

Go for a stroll with a loved one after dinner

Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Park in the furthest parking spot possible

Mow the lawn with a push mower

Get up to change the channel instead of using the remote

Ready to get started? Then check-out these pedometers.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

The 10,000 Steps a Day Walking Program

Diets in Review Blog » pedometer

Essentials for Runners: Google Map Pedometer and MapMyRun

The 10,000 Steps a Day Walking Program