Calories per running mile?

augustsageruns
augustsageruns Posts: 5 Member
edited November 23 in Fitness and Exercise
I’m curious how many calories burned per mile run you get in MFP or whatever fitness tracking system you use. Also, share your weight, if you like, as I’m sure that affects it.

I always hear 100 cals/mile, but my Garmin has routinely given me about 75. I was cool with it, figuring I would at least not overcount. But today it gave me 51 cals/mile! Surely that’s low?

My weight is in the high 120s. I don’t think it matters, but my pace today was in the mid-8s.

Replies

  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    edited November 2017
    Your weight matters, your pace does not, at least not much, and not in any easy way to calculate.

    100 cals per mile is the accepted number based on a whole slew of assumptions and averages. Given your light weight, I'm not surprised you're a little under the 100/mi number. 51 does seem low, but not "OMG my Garmin must be broken" low. Also, keep in mind that Garmin is making an approximation of cals burned based on a formula, a few data points, and some assumptions. Personally, I wouldn't give 1 oddball number a second thought.

    Another accepted formula is .65 * bodyweight * distance in miles.


    For me personally, my garmin numbers, MFP numbers, and the formula I posted above all results in estimates within about 10% of each other. So for me, based on how "accurate" I care to be... they are all the same.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    edited November 2017
    weight *.63 * miles.

    So, for me, a 5K race (3.1 miles) and 220 lbs ~ 430 calories. My watch (Garmin) gives me 439, which is pretty frikken close.

    You would be ~75, so your Garmin seems right. 51 is low and just a glitch.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    weight *.63 * miles.

    Pretty much this, assuming flat and a reasonably good running surface. Gradients make a difference, that can be accounted for. Mud, rough ground, sand etc all make a difference as they increase drag and impact on your running dynamics.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    75 cal/mile sounds right if you're in the 120s (120 x .63 = 75.6) for your net calories expended. My Garmin is very close to what I expend based on the same formula

    https://runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning
  • augustsageruns
    augustsageruns Posts: 5 Member
    edited November 2017
    Well that settles it. I am so not logging my Costco samples today! >:)

    Thanks for the formulas! I guess my watch is usually pretty spot-on with 75!
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    75 cal/mile sounds right if you're in the 120s (120 x .63 = 75.6) for your net calories expended. My Garmin is very close to what I expend based on the same formula

    https://runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning

    huh. I never thought about back-calculating for expected cals per mile based on weight. Nice, and thanks.
  • mabelsdaddy
    mabelsdaddy Posts: 117 Member
    If i use the mapmywalk calculator, i run 2 miles in 20 minutes, at 236 lbs 6 feet 0in: 435 kcal. is that too high? if it is, ive been logging wrong the whole time.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    mabelsdaddy wrote: »
    If i use the mapmywalk calculator, i run 2 miles in 20 minutes, at 236 lbs 6 feet 0in: 435 kcal. is that too high? if it is, ive been logging wrong the whole time.

    The above calculation gives you 297 cals.
  • ElPasoMark
    ElPasoMark Posts: 47 Member
    edited November 2017
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Another accepted formula is .65 * body weight * distance in miles.

    This is pretty close to what my Garmin FR235 shows I burned on today's intervals (1 min. jog/2 min speed walk):

    .65 x 225 x 2.16 = 315.9

    Garmin = 353

  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    edited November 2017
    Just fyi, if someone is interested, the formula for walking is
    kCal = weight(in lbs) * 0.30 * miles

    So running burns roughly twice the amount of calories as walking does.
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    mabelsdaddy wrote: »
    If i use the mapmywalk calculator, i run 2 miles in 20 minutes, at 236 lbs 6 feet 0in: 435 kcal. is that too high? if it is, ive been logging wrong the whole time.

    Are you getting the expected results? If no, then something is off. Either your calories in or calories out calculation is wrong. Adjust accordingly.

    All these numbers are estimates. They may be close but you still have to find what works for you.
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