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Community Corner

Map a Walking Route in Your Neighborhood

Google Maps offers a pedometer that calculates your mileage and calories burned.

I am currently training to run – or rather, walk – the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in October. I am slowly building up my skills and strength by walking around the neighborhood.

There’s an advantage to walking a routine route, like the path around the Silver Lake Reservoir. You know exactly how far you’ve gone. Around the reservoir is 2.2 miles. Around the Echo Park Lake is one mile. Multiply as needed and there you go.

But what about the mileage you’re logging on your way there? Or what if you get easily bored by walking in circles on the same path all the time? To figure out other routes, and keep track of my increasing abilities, I’ve found that Google has a pedometer map site.

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On this site you simply type in your zip code, zoom in to your street and start “recording” you route. By clicking along the streets, the Gmaps Pedometer tallies up your route for you instantly. You can plan ahead, or come back home and calculate that detour you took, to learn how many miles you've walked.

There is even a function to calculate how many calories you’ve burned on the walk, based on your body weight. Just about the only thing the site can’t do is take your heart rate for you.

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Whether you’re a regular runner or someone, like me, just embarking on a fitness program, this handy tool helps you plan a workout that is effective. And it’s easier than getting in the car and watching the odometer as you retrace your steps.

 

 

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