Earlier this week I talked about measuring runs by distance or time. Here are some interesting ways to use that data with my favorite running calculator tools.
4 Running Calculator Tools
1. McMillan: Race Prediction and Training Paces
McMillan has an extensive calculator that uses your current race times to predict race times for other distances. Closer distances will yield more accurate results (i.e., a 5K time won’t accurately predict a marathon time).
The calculator also offers pace ranges for training goals, tempo runs, and recovery runs. Even more options are available for a premium.
2. Cool Running: Pace Calculator
This simple calculator saves you from those 0.1 and 0.2 mile race errors when you’re anxiously doing the math after a race.
Insert two of the following: Time, Distance, or Pace and the third will spit out. You can also print out mile splits for a race guide.
3. Runner’s World: Age Grade Calculator
Age-grading your race time will allow you to compare your race time with other participants of different ages and genders. Input your age, gender, and a race time. This tool will output your age-graded score and time.
A score of 100% would be an approximate world record for your age. 60% is generally regarded as locally competitive and 70% as regionally competitive.
4. Runner’s World: What to Wear Calculator
As a new runner, I always worried if I was dressing correctly for the temperature and weather. Running already stressed my body and psyche. I didn’t want to add any more discomfort.
This calculator asks for lots of inputs including temperature, wind, time of day, and type of run. It will then recommend long sleeves vs short sleeves, hat vs ear muffs, etc.
Tools are just tools
Plug away, but remember these are generalizations. Don’t let a little math stop you from greatness.
Example of this — sometimes when I put in my height into online calculators, it spits back an error, “This height is unlikely. Please correct.”
Just because it’s unlikely, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen!
I could not refrain from commenting. Well written.