A training log is a great way for a runner to keep track of his or her progress over a period of time. Writing a log may appear to be unimportant at the time of writing, however, down the road it can be a helpful tool to analysing performances, weather good or bad. Analysing periods of good and bad running can form the basis of future success in racing and training. Repeating a schedule that was successful in the past often leads to continued success in the future. Similarly, avoiding an unsuccessful training schedule from the past will prevent future disappointments. A training log also allows the runner to reflect on past running experiences and relive the most enjoyable ones.
Above all, a training log allows a runner to see what happened before an injury or a bad performance. The log acts as your history book, telling you where you went wrong and where you went right. By analysing the history of your running it is possible to explain your ups and downs and learn from those experiences. What you write in your training log is data for future training schedules. Even if you cannot find answers to your mistakes in the past, this will teach you to write more detailed and relevant information in the future. Seeing and understanding your mistakes will help you learn from them and act as a powerful tool for your future running.
Below is an example of a blank training log. Feel free to print it up, resize it with a photocopy machine, copy it for each week of training, and use it as your training log. The comments area can be as detailed as you want it to be. Some runners prefer to use symbols to express their comments. For example, a happy face for a good run, a sad face for a bad run, and a normal face for an indifferent run. Others prefer to write a detailed account of their training. Whatever works for you is good, however, remember the more detailed and relevant the information the easier it will be to analyse the training log later on for future training schedules.
Training Log
Date Course/Workout Distance Time Comments
