The tutor continues an exploration of calorie burn during running.

In my previous post I calculated, using chemistry methods, the number of calories I burned during a 45-min, 8km (5mile) run.  While the chemistry was sound, the process hinged on my estimated breathing rate:  1 litre exhaled every 2 seconds.

How much air a person really inhales or exhales is very tricky to estimate just by feel. I think my estimate was the best I could do, but it may well be significantly different from reality.

Well, I looked at two websites today to get other opinions on the calories I might have burned during yesterday’s run. For a 180lb runner, Nutristrategy.com gives an hourly rate for a 6.7mph pace (5 miles in 45 min) of 899 calories. 45 minutes is 0.75 of that, implying 0.75(899)=674 calories.

Healthstatus.com gives 704 calories for the same activity at a 7mph pace. To pro-rate it down to 6.7mph, I do 704(6.7/7)=674 calories.

Impressively, both websites give the exact same calorie count for my 45 minute, 5-mile run. My figure of 288 calories suggests my breathing estimate was quite far off.

In experimental science, a committed estimate is often required – especially at the beginning. The estimate’s accuracy will be determined in due time by repetition and cross-referencing.

Perhaps I did better during yesterday’s run than I’d thought:)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.