Calculating mileage when running indoors?

hannamarie88
hannamarie88 Posts: 231 Member
edited February 5 in Fitness and Exercise
I use RunKeeper when outside, Nike + Running app when inside. I trust the mileage RunKeeper gives me because it bases it upon GPS, which I figure as long as my GPS signal is strong -- should be quite close to accurate.

The dreaded inside running that goes along with winter (blech) has started. Last night my Nike+ app logged me at 3.2 miles, but the treadmill said I had only gone 2.6 miles. That's a big, big window of difference.

I've read a few things that talk about treadmill calibration and since I use my apartment treadmill, lord only knows the last time it was calibrated.

Which one should I trust? I have a 5K coming up Nov. 2nd that I've been training for and I just want a picture of where I stand prior to my run. This is my first serious 5K, I'm quite excited. I know I won't be the fastest by far, but I at least hope that I'm not the slowest.

My run on Nike+ last night would log me at 13:07 min/mile -- which would be the fastest I've ever gone, which is where my concern stemmed from.

Replies

  • Ainar
    Ainar Posts: 858 Member
    Go run outside and see at what pace you have to run for a certain distance and in how much time. Go inside and run for the same amount of time in same pace and you will run the same distance.

    Personally, I just prefer to run outside, even at minus 20°C. Cold isn't that bad. You just have to get a few extra t-shirts on and a warm sport hoodie on. Don't get why people are so scared from it.
  • hannamarie88
    hannamarie88 Posts: 231 Member
    For me it is the running in the dark element -- I have a track within my apartment community, but it is not lit at night. I used to go running at 8, but now that the sun is gone by then, I run on the treadmill. I'm considering getting a head lamp though. Do you use one?
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I would trust the treadmill on this one. The Nike Band is based on a GPS, like you said. And when you'e on the treadmill you're not covering any measurable distance to the GPS. The treadmill gives you distance based on speed and time.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I use the Footsteps pedometer on my IPhone, which ask for height/ weight, strides for both running and walking. Thus far, it seems fairly accurate with the treadmill mileage and time at the gym, which may or may not be calibrated correctly.
  • Ainar
    Ainar Posts: 858 Member
    For me it is the running in the dark element -- I have a track within my apartment community, but it is not lit at night. I used to go running at 8, but now that the sun is gone by then, I run on the treadmill. I'm considering getting a head lamp though. Do you use one?
    I actually prefer dark, it feels cool. I run at forest near the end of city. No lights whatsoever there. I can still see darker shadows which are trees and all though I can not see anything but shadows it's way more than enough for me to not run into one. Rode is pretty wide too. If you spend long enough in a dark you start to see how bright moonlight actually is.

    There's a park very close where lanterns are on whole night and also a street with traffic, lights and everything. But I still go to dark forest... I'm weirdo like that. Imagine on human made running track with more distinguishable textures in dark it would be way easier.
  • hannamarie88
    hannamarie88 Posts: 231 Member
    I would trust the treadmill on this one. The Nike Band is based on a GPS, like you said. And when you'e on the treadmill you're not covering any measurable distance to the GPS. The treadmill gives you distance based on speed and time.

    The Nike+ is the only app I've found with an indoor mode that uses data from the phone's accelerometer (sorry, forgot to share that data in my OP). If it was GPS it would not track at all. But, if the treadmill was correct it would mean I was running a 16+ minute mile, which is like 2 minutes slower than average from my outdoor pace. There was no way I was running a 16 minute mile...

    Maybe my answer is in between the two numbers, ha.
  • hannamarie88
    hannamarie88 Posts: 231 Member
    I use the Footsteps pedometer on my IPhone, which ask for height/ weight, strides for both running and walking. Thus far, it seems fairly accurate with the treadmill mileage and time at the gym, which may or may not be calibrated correctly.

    I have not heard of that before, but I will check it out and see what data it gives. I feel like you have to be a mathematician some days with all the data, stats and charts/graphs involved in exercising/calorie tracking.
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