Running Pace Calculator

Why Use A Running Pace Calculator?

The running pace calculator can help you determine how much time you will require to run a certain distance. Improving your running pace is crucial for enhancing overall efficiency, fitness, and performance, particularly for athletes preparing for competitive events or those looking to achieve personal bests. Moreover, as your pace and efficiency increase, it will also help you burn calories.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Running?

An average person may burn about 80-100 calories per mile. However, this value will vary depending on the person’s age, weight, speed, and other factors. Understanding calorie expenditure helps runners fuel their bodies adequately for better performance. It might also aid in managing weight and recovery by balancing energy intake with energy used. Knowing how many calories are burned during runs might help guide nutritional intake and prevent fatigue. The chart below will give you an idea about how many calories you may burn depending on your running speed and weight (1):

If you are trying to lose weight by running, knowing its MET value can help you figure out how many calories you are burning. MET or metabolic equivalents is the amount of energy you use (or calories burned) while at rest.

The MET value of running typically varies from 8 to 15, depending on how fast you are running (2). The next section explains how you determine the MET value to figure out the amount of calories burned.

How To Calculate Calories Burned While Running

You have to calculate the value of calories burned per minute to determine the total number of calories burned for an activity. Multiply the MET value with the person’s body weight in kg and 3.5 and divide that number by 200.

Once you get the calorie burned per minute, multiply it by the total time spent on that activity to find the total calories burned.

For example, if a person weighs 80 kg and runs at a rate of 5 mph (an activity with a MET value of 8.3) for an hour (60 minutes), here is how you have to calculate the calories burned:

Total Calories Burned = (8.3 x 80 x 3.5) / 200 = 11.62

Total Calories Burned in 60 minutes = 11.62 X 60 = 697.2

You can use the same formula to calculate how many calories you have burned while running a mile or two. To make things easier for you, here is the calculation for a person weighing 80 kg with the same running speed:

Calculation For A Mile

Time taken to run a mile at 5 mph= 12 minutes

Total calories burned in 60 minutes = 11.62 X 12 = 139.44

Calculation For 2 Miles

Time taken to run 2 miles at 5 mph= 24 minutes

Total calories burned in an hour = 11.62 X 24 = 278.88

You will burn more calories if you run greater distances. However, several factors can affect your calorie expenditure. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Factors That Affect Caloric Expenditure

1. Body Weight

People who are heavier or have a bigger body (compared to an average person) will need to put more effort into moving or running. As a result, they expend more energy running at the same pace as an average individual who weighs less than them.

2. Gender

Women have more fat in proportion to muscle than males. Females have a 5–10% lower metabolic rate than males of the same height and weight (3). As a result, men can easily burn more calories than women.

3. Speed Or Intensity

Upping your speed and intensity requires your body to use more oxygen, which increases your calorie burn. Therefore, you will burn more calories if you run at a higher speed.

4. Surface Incline

Walking or running uphill burns more calories than going downhill or on a flat surface. It is due to the additional mechanical work of elevating the body weight. When walking or running uphill, the joints at the lower body and muscles have to exert more power to lift the body (4). This may increase the caloric expenditure. A person weighing 155 pounds may burn 1056 calories per hour running uphill while the same person may burn only 563 calories per hour on a level surface (1).

If you are trying to improve your running pace and want to lose weight as well, you can follow the tips suggested in the next section.

Tips To Improve Running Pace

1. Increase Your Speed Gradually

Allow your body to get used to the new stress and strains of running. Gradually increasing your speed helps prevent overexertion, pain, and injuries.

2. Improve Your Stride

Focus on how many steps you run in a minute. Instead of bigger steps, go for quick, short steps to improve your pace. This will help develop coordination and improve your stride.

3. Try Running Hill Repeats

This is the best way to improve your running pace and strengthen the main running muscles. It also helps you maintain a steady pace and stamina.

4. Give Your Body Time To Recover

Give your body rest after a workout so that it can recover and be prepared for the next session. This will help you work out efficiently.

Apart from all this, knowing various tips that can help increase stamina for running, such as doing strength training, practicing tempo runs, etc., can improve your pace. Additionally, always opt for shoes that fit perfectly and have cushion padding for shock absorption to prevent injuries.

Improving running pace require consistent effort. You have to undergo proper training and follow the right techniques to gradually increase your pace without overstraining your muscles. Our running pace calculator can help you track your performance and adjust your routine accordingly. However, remember that you shouldn’t rely only on the calculator. You have to ensure you are consuming enough nutrients, scheduling your training properly and getting plenty of rest. Challenge yourself a little bit every time you train to maintain a sustained effort and reach your running pace goals.