Discussion: Google Maps Pedometer tool

I've recently been using a pedometer tool for my running and orienteering that breaks down your actual route into a discreet number of segments, and then sums the segments...all imposed on Google Maps - either satellite or map view. In addition, it will estimate calories burned during your run, and allow you to save your course to your own url. All for free.

It is a very easy to use tool, and is available at:<http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/>

For an example of a recent orienteering run of mine (an October 15, 6.1km Green course at Palos North - site of CAOC's 2002 A-meet) go to <http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=521088>

Perhaps this is old news, since this cool tool has been out for over a year, but I just found out about it. I think it is particularly helpful when going out for a training run on streets...you can get a pretty accurate idea how far you've run.

Can never get too much of a good thing!-)

One thing it doesn't do is elevations, but I like it also. (I have used google earth to get the elevation change (at a gross level) on my standard street route)

I don't know that I noticed the satellite view before, so I learned something too!

There is an elevation tool. Not very sophisticated but it does give you the profile. You just have to turn it on using the menu on the left.

www.walkjogrun.net is based on a similar principle, but allows you to see the routes of others in your area.

yeah and some places now have a topo map i think. the only thing i don't like about the gmap-pedometer is that if you run a really wiggly route it is hard to draw it. but oh well it is pretty cool other wise.

Tim:
That www.walkjogrun.net website is interesting. Its purpose is apparently to allow users to create a library of favorite walking/running routes all over the world.

But I find it difficult to use, since you've got to know the zip code in order to do a search for saved routes in a particuar area. At least for me, zooming in on the map fails to show most of the saved routes, particularly in rural areas.

And is there any place for comments on the saved routes so you'd know a bit about them....how to navigate them, attractions and pitfalls along the way, some kind of user ranking?

USATF offers a similar tool as well. I think the search function for routes is a bit more user friendly. It's also easier to draw tight turns. Moreover, it just recently added the "elevation profile" and "total climb" data. However, it's still hard to draw trail running or orienteering routes because you can hardly pick out the trails on the map.

hkleaf:
Thanks for adding the USATF tool...I agree: the more advanced search function, plus the Gold, Silver, Bronze user ranking system and file for user comments really allows a more educated use of those routes.

And it allows a Google Satellite view, just as Gmaps. I don't think it is too hard to use for orienteering. With practice, I've found you can sketch in your orienteering run, using trails, water features and major reentrants that you can make out on the satellite photo, just based upon the subtle indications in the photo ... try really zooming in on the terrain, to the point that you can see individual trees. At this magnification I've been able to identfy amazing amounts of detail -- particularly if you have your orienteering map in one hand.

And for verification, try clicking on the Topo version, which will bring up the USGS topo map of the same area. But I've found that there is a bit of a problem with accurate registration between the Satellite, Topo and Map versions. So it is not easy to switch back and forth.

too bad is not covering Canada. I wil use g-map to measure my routes ( when i'll train again)

I like GMaps Pedometer, but for some reason it freezes when I use it. USATF also has been somewhat buggy for me.

I've since switched to another similar one,

http://www.mapmyrun.com/

edit: fixed link, thanks

Um, NeoteriX, www.mapmyruns.com appears to be an advertising website. Wrong address?

http://www.mapmyrun.com/ appears to be what was meant.

But what about this?!

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Highland+Falls,+NY,+...

amazing

I've been using a Garmin Forerunner 301, and downloading the log into the opensource program sporttracks and from there to Google Earth. The sporttracks program is a lot better than the software that came with the Forerunner.