Map Routes and Get to Know Your Neighborhood with Google Earth
I’m ashamed to admit that tonight (when I wrote this post, not when it published) is the first time I’ve run in about a year. Unfortunately, all of life’s obligations and hobbies have managed to squeeze out my much-needed exercise routines. Back in the day I could run maybe 7-9 miles with a few hills. Today I covered about 3/4 of a mile at a very modest pace, and I have to tell you, I counted it an achievement. My whole body hurt when I finished. I’m hoping to restore jogging to its proper place in my life. We’ll see.
But I digress from what I was going to write about.
About 4 years ago (read: 3 years before kids), I discovered Google Earth. For those of you not familiar with it, Google Earth is like Google Maps on steroids. Unlike Maps which runs in your browser, you have to install the Earth application on your computer, and then it contacts Google dynamically to download maps. With each release, Earth gets a little more impressive. In fact, we used it when we were first looking for a new home to discover neighborhoods where we might want to put down roots. We’d plot out a route, virtually tour the neighborhood, and then follow-up with a car ride through to scope out the properties.
One of the features I like most in Earth is it’s ability to measure distances using waypoints. Instead of measuring a straight line from here to there, Earth allows you to set as many waypoints as you like along the way. As a result, you can get an exact measurement of a running route. I’ve used this feature to plot out a few different courses in our community, and to measure the distance around Centennial Lake, a small lake in a neighboring county. Take a look:
Earth will also allow you to zoom in on the map, and then tilt the map to see the hills and valleys, giving you a better idea of what a running course might actually feel like when you jog it.
Of course, the power of Google’s application goes far beyond plotting paths. Already it’s being used to showcase available real estate in some major cities (search for “google earth real estate” and you’ll find a few). You can travel the world from the comfort of your PC (or Mac), and oggle at all those properties neither of us can afford 
Best feature: Earth is free for the version most people will care about. Upgrade to Plus for $20 and you can use it with your GPS device.
Happy Running.
What do you think? Have you ever used Google Earth (or another tool) to plot running distances? Leave a comment and let me know…
Comments & Conversation on this Article...
3 Responses to Map Routes and Get to Know Your Neighborhood with Google Earth
Wait! Got a question on your own project?
Ask your question in our Home Improvement Help Forums.
Otherwise, leave a note here!
October 9th, 2008 6:33 am
Ooooh, a post about running. I love it.
I’ve never used Google Earth (because I always seem to remember to download it when at work and downloading is restricted) but have used a service called MapMyRun.com to track my distances. It’s basically the same process, but uses an interface that looks like Google Maps. I’ve found it super easy to use because you can read all the street names and not have to worry about tree cover blocking your view of your path. Downside is, like regular Google Maps, is that it only gives roads, not hiking or running trails so I have to fudge those a little bit.
I also have a Nike Plus membership, which I think allows me to do the similar run route tracking, but I’ve honestly never tried it on there.
Thanks again for the running post. Good luck on “restoring running to a proper place in your life”!
-John
October 9th, 2008 8:37 am
John>> Good links. Google Earth is nice for getting the paths. You can also turn off the satelite to see only the roads, which sounds more like the interface you describe on MapMyRun. I’m sure services like MapMyRun also provide historical tracking of running progress and such, which Google Earth doesn’t.
I’ve always thought that shoes ought to have GPS trackers built in that you could hook up to USB when you got back to your computer. Has Nike done that?
December 29th, 2008 5:20 pm
I track all of my runs using a Garmin Forerunner 405. They track your GPS position every second or so. Then you can load your data onto Garmin Connect. It also tracks stuff like heart rate (with optional heart rate monitor), cadence (with optional footpod), altitude, lap times, etc. Here are a few example runs/rides on Garmin Connect…
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1457357 (in Wichita, KS)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/953299 (near the 1949 Armistace Line on the West Bank)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/963273 (in Denmark)