The Importance of a Training Log – For Runners

A training log is one of the most practical tools you can use in becoming your own coach. Keeping a log of your workouts is essential for monitoring your performance and tracking your improvements. It gives you an accurate idea of where you were when you started and how you have progressed from there in terms of fitness and motivation. It is also useful in determining what type of regimen works best for you.

A log is valuable for many reasons. It will force you to be honest with yourself as you set your reasonable, incremental and attainable goals. When working solely from memory, people often subtract time when running for speed and add a little time when running for distance. These little white lies are a natural tendency, but they can skew your data and prevent you from setting your optimum goals, which can thwart your progress.

Training logs are wonderful tools for recording what you have achieved. You can look back and take stock of your progress and the physical and emotional state you were in at the time.

The words in your log can be written down anywhere. Some people use free calendars from hardware shops or insurance companies that arrive in the post. Those squares are just big enough for the vital information. Now we have computers so the digital option is also there.

In your log you should record the date, time distance and your emotional and physiological state. A beginners log might read Oct 7, 7am, 1.5 miles, 15 minutes; good mood; strong.

When you have acquired a few months worth of data they are great to look over. They can also give you inspiration when you are recovering from injury as you can see how long it takes to get back to your regular mileage and time.