How do you measure how far you've run off-road?

[Squelch]

Due to having problems with my joints I either run off-road (round a field) or along a footpath. I have no idea how far I am running, though I go very slowly so I don't imagine it's very far. Want to eventually join a parkrun but don't want to 'run' before I am confident I can go the distance -- or at least get pretty close. Has anyone found a reliable way of tracking off-road distance that doesn't cost the earth?

[Run4fitness]

MapMyRun is a good app to use

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Mapometer UK .. free... not massively accurate but has an off road option

[Wanna-Be Graduate]

I have the Strava app on my phone. That seams v good for when I go down un-mapped foot paths.

[telford_mike Graduate]

I have the same issue. I did a mountain trail this morning for week 8 run 2. My phone (Samsung) said it was 6.7km. My wife's iPhone reckoned 2.3km. The truth is probably about 4km, but for C25K it really doesn’t matter, as we run minutes, not kilometres. I wouldn’t worry about it until you get close to finishing the programme, then maybe reward yourself with a Garmin or similar. They're not expensive unless you get the super high-end ones, and they'll do a much better job than a phone.

[Ripcurlrana71]

Strava is good and free.

[Squelch Graduate]

At week 7 repeating run 1 - because I ran on a road and hurt my hip so went and repeated week 6 after two weeks rest. Shall have a look at the apps and Garmin's.

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to Squelch]

I have a Garmin watch and it’s brilliant. Tracks activity and auto uploads to Strava.

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

You're an addict. I bet you've given it a name too. It'll be crack next... xx

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to sallenson]

Leave Gwendolyn alone!! Besides who says I’m not on ‘something’ already.....👀 x

[sallenson Graduate]

You could try a long piece of string that you can measure against a ruler afterwards

[Squelch Graduate]

My top consideration -- and not too implausible given that I run around and around a small field....

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Squelch]

Are you in fact a sheep by any chance?

[Squelch Graduate]

Caught me out....

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Mapmyrun run will do everything you need. Enjoy !

[Kymmi123]

I use strava, ive even used it when running up and down tramlines in a field and its measured the distance fine. Cannot wait to get myself a garmin after ive graduated though... a little bit addicted now