Some folks keep a blog, some a private notebook and some even keep it in their head although I'm not sure that's an efficient ues of brain cells. Some of the popular mapping websites and run/walk tracking websites allow you to keep a journal of your training runs and walks as well. Point is there are a number of ways to do it and you really should. Why?
Well let me answer that by asking this - Do you need to wear a hydration belt during your races? This is a common question asked by new members before their first half or full marathon. The answer lies in how you managed your hydration during training. If one kept a training journal it would be easier to answer the question. A race typically has water stations every 2 miles (more or less). You should study the course map if one is available to be verify this. So the question is are you prepared (have you trained) to only take water every 2 miles? Now you might be able to last 2 miles and take in the 1/2 dixie cup or so that is offered and be just fine. But what did you do in your training. Did you become accustomed to taking sips more often and will the that affect your psyche as you run the course if you can't do that? There are still about 7 weeks until the Rock n Roll Half marathon. If you start a journal now tracking your hydration habits you'll know what to do.
Now that's only one possible use of a journal. You can (and perhaps should) also track distance, pace, temperature, what shoes you wore, what and how much clothing you wore, how much water, electrolyte and fuel you consumeed and when you consumed it. Try different things and record them. Compare this all with how you felt before, during and after the run. You do not want to try anything new on race day so use your training to try different things and the journal to track the results.
A training journal is also a good place to track those little aches and pains you may be feeling from time to time (or all the time) after a run or walk. This will help you get to know what conditions make the pains worse and when you realize medical attention is needed you'll have a nice history to give the doc to aid in diagnosis.
The advantges of a public journal is acccountability (I tend to give up less on a workout knowing that I'm going to blog about it and I want to be able to truthfully say I finished) and it gives others a chance to chime in with support and helpful comments. Perhaps your readers will notice a trend that you don't. Any USAFit/Philly members may use this community blog as a training journal OR if you have your own send me the link and we'll add it to our blog roll.
Training journals can be anything from simply a collectoin of statistics about your workout or a full blown chapter in the novel that is your season. Whatever your style and whether you make it private or public, consider starting one. It's a very useful tool!
I forgot to add that if some folks decided that they will be uncomfortable waiting for the water stops every 2 miles but they don't want to carry a full water belt so they decide to use a handheld. NEVER try anything new on race day. So if you think that's an option for you trying carrying a handheld one day in training and put in your journal if you liked it or not and why.
ReplyDeleteDon't rely on your memory. Even if you're younger than me (and most of you are) you have better things to do with your mind than remember all these very important details about your training miles.