Running Shorts

I'm definitely old fashioned when it comes to keeping a log. I just get the kind that you can buy at any big book or running store and usually write mileage or time (depending on how much information I know), workout or race splits, where I ran, how I felt (if it was notable), and anything else I feel like writing in there. Some people are much more detailed (resting heart rate, weight, who knows what else), but I recommend just doing what seems to work for you. Initally I just wrote my workouts down in a notebook.

I don't find my recent logs to be all that informative or interesting, because I remember what I'm doing now, but it's nice to have old ones to look back on, especially so I can see what I was doing when I was running well. My memories aren't always that accurate!

I highly suggest keeping a log. They aren't of any value at first, but after years of running, I'm sure you'll enjoy going back and looking what you did "back in the day". My running log is on the computer (Excel) and includes what I did for the day (obviously), where I did it, how I felt, the weather, who I ran with (if anyone), when I did it, if anything of consequence hurt, etc... If I ran a race I put my splits and my place and what the course was like, etc... You'll figure out what you want in there. Good luck and have fun! :)

I use a small spiral notebook and write how far, how long (if I timed it), general feelings, anything notable. In fact, it is almost like a journal for me. It is also helpful to compare where you are from time to time (if you have bread and butter runs).

Blondie

I use a free training log from Runners World. Tried to do it on my PDA, but couldn't trend analyze what I had done. I agree with the others that feelings, weather conditions, etc are good notes to make. Having it all documented makes it easier to figure out what going right or wrong...as this recent fatigue/anemia thing, in my case.

I have one in Excel. I can send it to you if you want. Tracking annual mileage is a really easy calculation - for instance I know I have run 1478.3 miles so far this year.

I think that they are nice to have because you can track year-over-year mileage and whatnot. Good job in your run today by the way! Negative splits are sweet.

I'm old fashion too and I use this journal/agenda my mom makes :) I started using it after I ran the marathon and it has been useful ever since just to kind of see when I've been doing too much etc, plus I'm sure it'll be nice to read 5 yrs from now. I write more or less what everyone else has described and then in some blank pages I also note what shoes I'm wearing, keeping track of mileage for them, write about how I felt during a race, note injuries, etc. I also keep track of what exercises I'm doing but I keep that in a "strength folder". I know too many things! But it makes it easier not to get stuck in a rut of the same exercise over and over again and note the progress.

Hey, thanks for the link. I just use bound-paper logs to keep track of my runs. I actually used one book two years in a row and just used a different color ink the second year. It was really interesting to compare my workouts directly to each other that way. I also put my weekly mileage into excel so I can graph it, but that's just for when I'm REALLY geeking out with the running.