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Help!: Vast discrepancy between MapMyRun and pedometer distance

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    Mamedarling

    Hello.  I'm fairly new to MMR.  It's helping me to train for my very first 10K, and I'm eternally grateful for it. 

    I'm running into a problem, though (no pun intended), which is that there's at least a one mile discrepancy between the distance indicated on the routes I map and the readout on my (admittedly cheap) pedometer.  Today, I tried to run 6.2 miles and, when I'd completed my MMR route, my pedometer read 5.05 miles.  I wound up just continuing to run until I got to 6.2 to be on the safe side, which isn't a huge deal.  Still, I'd really like to know at least roughly where I am mileage-wise in my training. 

    Has anyone else experienced anything similar?  Since I'm a newbie, I'm not sure whether to chalk it up to the pedometer or some other mistake (I have been making sure to "follow roads" when I plot my runs). 

    Any and all thoughts, suggestions, etc. appreciated!

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberDrJanet
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2008
     
    DrJanet

    Did you calibrate your pedometer?  It sounds like your stride length is set too short.  Your pedometer counts the number of steps, and then multiplies it by how long it thinks each step is, to get the total distance traveled.  If your stride is longer than the default, then you'd travel further than it thinks you have.

     Try measuring your step length more than halfway through a run, because you probably don't run the same way when you first start out as you do once you get into the swing of things, and your stride may change as you tire too.  Pick a spot and time your steps so that your tip of your toe hits a certain point, and then count ten steps from there, go back and measure, and then divide by ten to get the length of each step.

    Another option might be to wear the pedometer while running a set distance, perhaps 1 mile, and see how many steps it counts and use that as the basis for recalibrating the distance per step. 

     If you can't find instructions on how to calibrate your pedometer, then try searching online -- I bought mine at least two years ago, but the company's site still had the whole manual online.  It's not a high-calibre model, either, only $25. 

     Good luck!

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberHeidiLlama
    • CommentTimeMar 17th 2008
     
    HeidiLlama
    Since you admit it's a cheap pedometer, I'd be careful about trusting it. I had a cheap one (under $10 I think) and I walked a mile around the track to test it and it was nowhere near correct even after calibrating my steps. If you really like having one, I reccommend investing in a good one. Otherwise, just use it for walking or tracking your daily steps.
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberBendy
    • CommentTimeMar 18th 2008 edited
     
    Bendy

    It doesn't matter how cheap the pedometer is, if you don't calibrate it well, it will be wrong.

    Brands vary, but my best pedometer was about £2 ($4) and it works great (now that I have it well calibrated with MMR, which took a few tries) (I have had more expensive ones that were not as good as they did not click all the time, and sometimes stopped working mid run)

    Be aware that, even after correct calibration, there may be a big difference if you run on different terrain (as much as 20% or more)

    Hills = shorter strides = pedometer showing more distance than MMR.

    If you callibrate on hills, then run flat, you get the reverse.

    Also, where you wear it can make a big difference too. Make sure you have it where recommended otherwise it may not click properly with each step.

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