Regarding the difference in mileage between Sandy's Strava and my Strava, I was curious for a number of reasons. #1 is to help the team understand how many miles are left, as using 3,067 (my Garmin total per Garmin 225 model) less miles run so far obviously seems short, so using Google directions from current coordinates seems much more accurate. Also, though, I want to make sure everyone realizes the actual route Sandy is running is almost identical in total to mine, but also realize my sister and I have worked hard to make sure there aren't any large detours for Sandy when considering safety reasons. I mentioned it once before, but it seems that her Garmin Fenix model picks up better detail than the Garmin 225's I used, so that is my best guess at the 35-50 mile difference she seems to be tracking at. Or, maybe I'm just really good at taking near road bathroom breaks. ;) I'm sharing some quick analysis I did on route differences below, in case anyone is interested.
There were three material differences between Sandy's route and mine. I won't go into a few very minor differences (she ran about 2 more miles in the Chicago area for a safer route my sister and I recommended, while I had a couple more miles to run through my hometown of Boone, IA). She is on a slightly different route today through Kennerdell, PA, but I believe it only adds about .5 miles. There was a very unsafe bridge I had to go over near Knox, PA. There was a flash flood near Munson, PA that added a very small mileage for me, but again, not material at all. All miles below are per the Google maps directions I did my best to show the actual routes taken.
Detour #1, San Francisco City Hall to Niles Junction (Fremont), CA:
Reason for difference: I believe Sandy felt this was the safest route for her on day 1
Sandy miles: 55.3 (approx. Google directions:
https://tinyurl.com/yb3a3eoe
)
Pete miles: 47.3 (approx. Google directions:
https://tinyurl.com/y94memtb
)
Detour #2, CO-14 & Co Rd 34, CO to Gould, CO:
Reason for difference: Sandy had blizzard conditions, and route Pete took was on low use, narrow gravel roads
Sandy miles: 37.4 (approx. Google directions:
https://tinyurl.com/y9vrmdre
)
Pete miles: 30.4 (approx. Google directions:
https://tinyurl.com/ybe6lxn4
)
Detour #3, Kearney, NE to Blair, NE:
Reason for difference: Pete wanted to have lunch at his house in Lincoln, and perhaps run with some friends in the area
Sandy miles: 176 (approx. Google directions:
https://tinyurl.com/ybkx2356
)
Pete miles: 195 (approx. Google directions:
https://tinyurl.com/ybdbzk8u
)
Total difference: ~4 more miles for Pete (virtually the exact same)