Running Calculator

Here’s an interesting website. McMillanrunning.com has a “running calculator” that takes your time in one race and calculates what the equivalent performance would be in another distance. For example, let’s say your PR is 10:15 in a 3200m on the track. If you put that time into the running calculator (you have to convert it to a 2 mile time approximately 10:18), then the calculator says that your equivalent 5K time would be 16:43. If your best 800 meter time is 2:05 then the equivalent performance is 16:00.

There are a number of other sites that have similar calculators. Here’s the website address:

http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/Running%20University/Article%201/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm

And here is a quote from the site talking about equivalent performances.

What is an Equivalent Performance?

When I say "Equivalent Performance", I mean what would be an equivalent race time at one race distance based on your recent race time at another distance. For example, if you run 31:24 for 10K, you might wonder what you could run for a 5K or for the marathon or for a 30K or 15K. Using my Running Calculator, you'll now know. Of course, I must say that these are "estimates" of what you can run. Actual results will vary depending on the course, the weather, if it's your day or not and a myriad of other factors. However, I think you'll find that within a small variation, these estimates are accurate. (Do keep in mind that a 5K runner is unlikely to run the equivalent time in the marathon off of 5K training. The runner would obviously need to train for the marathon to accomplish this equivalent time.)

Naturally, knowing what you could run at an upcoming race based on a recent performance can help take the guesswork out of your race planning. You'll be able to set more realistic race goals and judge an appropriate race pace better. The results are performances that are more consistent and fewer crappy races.

It’s an interesting idea. So much of running is mental. The great Olympic champion runner Lasse Viren once said: “Dream barriers look very high until someone climbs them. They are not barriers anymore.” This site takes advantage of the barriers you may have already crossed to apply them to other barriers. It doesn’t mean you just have to start the race and you will automatically run the time. You still have to do the work. But it affirms that if you approach one race with the same training, attitude and competitiveness, then you should be capable of a equivalent result at another distance.

(Remember do not listen to any advice without consulting your own coach to see whether it applies to you. )