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3 replies

My first course measurement

M matthoerstenMember
I am a running enthusiest. I've always wanted to measure out an accurate course in my neighborhood where I run. So after reading this bulletin board for a while I bought a Protege 5.0 and followed the Protoge Method for course measurement (by NEVILLE WOOD).

I calibrated my bike and computer on a Calibration course by Pete on Metro North in the Columbus, OH area. After calibrating, I did a practice measurement at a local running trail (Hilliard Rail Trails) since they have mile markers set-up. I've always wondered how accurate these markers are. I was able to confirm the trail mile markers to around +/- 2 feet (that was just straight-up without using the 1.001 short course factor). Some of that difference was probably because I wasn't perfectly riding the shortest possible course due to heavy trail use that day.

Then, I went to my neighborhood and laid out a perfect 4 mile course (with small painted dots at every half-mile increment). I laid the course out so that it is a 4 mile loop that begins and ends exactly at my mailbox. Now when I train, I can check my pace at half-miles or I can do speed training and be confident about the distance.

I followed the rules specified by the USATF manual except for one (I didn't go back and check my calibration at the end of the day). It took me all afternoon to accomplish this and I simply ran out of time (and daylight).

But anyway, it was alot of fun and I learned alot about measuring. I'm just thinking how I might get to make another measurement again sometime.

-Cheers, Matt
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peteriegelpeteriegelRCMBB Founder
It is very encouraging to see a new face emerge in the measurement community, especially in my area. I’ve measured a bunch of courses on the Hilliard Heritage Trail. Right now it’s a 15 mile out-back, which is being delayed pending a decision by the race director. The 15 miles uses up the entire bikeway all the way north to Cemetery Pike, still with 1 km to go to the turnaround. The sloped gravel at the north end makes a continuation undesirable, so we will have to figure out what to do.

I hope Matt finds the opportunity to actually proceed through the entire certification process and goes on to measure a pile of courses.

I started measuring for the same reason Matt did – to get accurate courses for my own use. When you are a no-hoper as far as leading the pack, personal times become more important than head-to-head competition, and an accurate course gives you all you need. It doesn’t matter how well the finish line is handled – your own watch gives you all you need.

Perhaps we will get a chance to measure together. I hope so.
M matthoerstenMember
Thanks for the reply and encouragement. I have a couple of comments.

1.) It seems like the Protege/Rim Marking method would be more accurate than the Jones Counter because the resolution of marking a rim is higher than one digit on the Jones counter (which is only 3-4 inches). Is the higher resolution a benefit in an actual course measurement or calibration?

2.) I was concerned about using the Protoge method because I thought it had the potentional to miss and be off by one or more revolutions. However, I did many repeat measurements and was never off by more than a couple of spokes (implying that the Protege never skipped a revolution input).

3.) There is a local 5K (no course certification that I know of) that I run every year and always run an unusually fast time (by about 40 seconds). And alot of other runners say they have their doubts about the course distance. I think it is closer to 3 miles than 3.1. Some day, I'd like to ride the course with my counter and confirm my suspicions.

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