Map My Run…
Map My Run is a pretty straight-forward website. You find routes that you run or want to run and then you map them. It really is that easy. We will still check out some nuances though.
Sign up
Before you go and sign up, you should note that Map My Run is a Facebook Connect site. What this means for you is that if you use Facebook, you can sign in using your Facebook credentials. Map My Run will then use data from your Facebook profile to find friends who are Map My Run users and show you their runs and allow you to schedule get-togethers.
If you don’t use Facebook or you don’t want to integrate the two, you can simply sign up. They ask for a bunch of information during sign up, but most of it is optional (resting heart rate, height/weight, location). They also have a couple of different levels of membership. You can get more information on the levels of membership by heading to the Membership Comparison page.
Get to mappin’!
Once you are at the map screen you can begin by clicking your start point.
Once you have done that, you can pretty quickly click through the rest of your route. You only need to be “close enough” since after you have the rough route, you can zoom in and refine the turns, stops, and other features. What other features? You can add water stops, restrooms, and any other details your your map that others might find pertinent. Those tools are available as you work.
Once you are done mapping out your route (note the mile markers in the gray circles) and adding any points of interest, you can then save your map. While saving your map, you can do the normal stuff like give it a name, but you are also allowed to tag the route with keywords (flat, urban, sidewalks, etc) and rate it in terms of safety and difficulty.
For the lazy runners out there, you can find runs that other people have made so you don’t have to worry about mapping all these runs yourself. The creative juices that help you plan a running route aren’t unlimited refills. Sometime you just want to find a run and run it. You can search for runs in your area, so you can focus on the running aspect and not the mapping.
Integrating technology
This is all well and good, but how does this track your health? Garmin, Polar, and Nike+ workout monitors are all integrated with Map My Run. All you need to do is import your logs. You can then match them to the route and get a rundown of how effective your work is. These devices will import calories burned, heart rates, and any other stats they keep.
Map My Run also as a Blackberry and an iPhone/iPod Touch application that you can use you track your stats and upload them to the site as well.
A nice smooth blend
Anytime I can find a crossover between my love of technology and my obsession with running, I get really excited.
While I really like the site and what it is capable of, I still struggle with finding the time to add all my stats, maps, and runs. Then again, excuses like that are what make running and working out such a hit and miss thing for most people in the first place.
If you would like some help setting up a Map My Run account or you want someone to motivate you to work out or even to run with you, feel free to email The Digitante by heading to the About page. You can also hit the Google Voice button over to the right to be connected directly to The Digitante on the phone. Finally, you can leave a comment here and let me know if you are using Map My Run. If you are, be sure to share your maps with The Digitante.
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