Log it

Whether you are training for a race or just logging miles for fitness, keeping a log of your miles is helpful. I’ve kept track several ways, with an excel spreadsheet, in a paper running journal, and now I’m trying out a new iphone app. Keeping tabs on your mileage serves several purposes. The biggest benefit is a tangible reminder of what you’ve accomplished. I challenge you runners to keep track of your mileage for a whole year. You may have low mileage weeks where you feel like a sloth but at the end of the year when you see all those miles added up, you’ll be impressed. If you have a great run, note it. If you have a crummy run, note it. Maybe you’ll see a pattern emerge, maybe you’ll find out you always run better in the morning, or over your lunch hour. Maybe you’ll notice that once you go over a certain mileage you start to get burned out. Sometimes you can pinpoint the origin of an injury.

When I’m training for a race, it’s pretty clear what my goal is. But when I’m not training, I still like to have a few goals in mind and those are good to log as well. Like a weekly mileage goal or long run goal or a speed workout. All those weekly goals add up. They give your confidence a boost and you can build on the momentum. If you aren’t logging your runs, why not make that your New Year’s Resolution? Here’s a few tools to help you.

Fitbook Check out my buddy Joanna’s post on Fitbooks, they are a great way to log your fitness and nutrition goals. Use promo code givethanks to get $1 off and a $1 of the purchase will be directed toward a needy child.

iphone App – Winkpass Running Log – This is a great running log and I noticed they now have a shoe tracker as well. Keep track of multiple runs per day (for those of you who are really dedicated), your mileage and time, running route, and type of run.

Garmin Training Center A nice complement to Garmin hardware that logs your workouts where you use your Garmin GPS device.

Online Training Log Just google online running log and you’ll get lots of options. Runner’s World has a free online running log that’s worth a look.

Here’s something for your night-time mix. It’s not a great running song but it’s a great song. There are many reminders this week to remember what we are thankful for and one of the things I’m most thankful for is my daughter. Motherhood didn’t come easy for me but just like all those things (like marathons) that are accomplished after a lot of determination and pain, it’s been so worth it. This is a lullaby for my little one.