Mark's Blog

I wonder if there are any digital topo maps available in France yet. I used TOPO! California when I hiked and biked there (sample route trace here), although it tends to be accurate only to within 10%. The only real bonus over a paper map is that it calculates elevation profiles and total ascent. Still a fun and geeky way to plan routes and catalog what you've done.

If you stick to roads, maybe Michelin has some sort of software that would work.

Now I hike with GPS to map unmarked trails...

In French a map wheel is called a curvimètre.

Ah. Looks interesting, Andy.

I tried the digitized IGN maps, which Jeff bequeathed to the Grenoble CE when he left. But they're the same as paper or worse. The software didn't include any way of marking the route to get the distance.

Since I want to increase my volume by 10% per week, the measurements need to be fairly accurate. Any error gets magnified on the longer routes where I run 3 to 5 km laps with a drink in between each. So if it's 3.6 km instead of 3.3 km or vice versa, in 6 laps it's almost 2 km too long or too short.

The idea of going 20-30 km on Sundays on a track has convinced me that there are worse things than a bit of inaccuracy, however. When the weather gets nicer, I'll probably try riding each route with the bike computer to check the distance. In an hour's cycling, you can check several 3-5 km lap routes.

I was going to suggest the bike computer next. That'll get you within 1-2%, or better if you calibrate it between mile-markers or a stadium track.

Some days I think I should've been a cartographer.

With all the body monitors and distance measurements, don't forget to listen to your body.

The problem with cartography these days is that it's likely most of the work happens in air-conditioned offices with computers working on aerial photos, satellite data, GPS, stuff like that.

The nice thing about regular running is that it's time to listen to your body. You have to do it to get better. Only with my body and my mind together will I find that right form that lets me run faster because I run more effectively and efficiently.