Figuring out distance...

After not having exercised in quite a while, I've decided to take up the Couch to 5K running program. I was just wondering, though, is there an easy/inexpensive way to figure out distance/pace?

I don't live near an outdoor track and don't have the money to spare for a gym membership, but I figure that's the beauty of taking up running...you don't need to! I plan on starting off walking/jogging around my subdivision and/or on a multi-use path nearby, but I'm terrible at estimating distances. How can I figure out when I'm reaching 1/8mi, 1/4mi, etc?

I know distance isn't necessarily all that important when starting out (esp for a beginner like me!) but my analytical side will be encouraged by knowing I'm making progress. :p Any advice you could give would be much appreciated!

how about Mapmyrun.com ?

Google maps, or hop in a car and map it out with the odometer?

I started out by using my bike computer and figuring out some 1/2 mile and 1 mile marks around my house, in different directions. And you could certainly do the same with a car's odometer.

These days I check milage with mapmyrun or www.gmap-pedometer.com

Enjoy!

I use mapmyrun. View in the hybrid mode and you can see a satellite image overlaid with the street names, which is useful for when you're on sidewalk or a Multiuse trail which might not show up on a regular road map view.

K.

Google maps pedometer works well for me. When I used it, I figured out that running around my block was exactly .25 miles, which was helpful.

http://walking.about.com/library/walk/blgooglemap1.htm

Thanks everyone. It looks like mapmyrun is exactly what I was looking for. Kimmyt, thanks for the tip about hybrid view...I found the multi use path that way!

One handy tip about mapmyrun - you can toggle "follow roads" off and on while creating a map. So you switch it off and zoom way in to follow the MUP, and then switch it on to more quickly map the roads you use to get there and back.

Oh! I forgot -- try out Plus3Network.com! You can enter your runs, get the mileage, AND earn money for charity. It would be perfect.