Coaching logs are invaluable instruments for runners, providing an organized option to monitor progress, keep motivated and establish areas for enchancment. However they’ll additionally contribute to obsessive coaching habits. It’s vital to keep up a wholesome mindset and keep away from turning into overly fixated on tempo if you wish to take pleasure in working and keep away from accidents and burnout. In the event you’re utilizing a coaching log to trace your progress, observe the following tips to make sure it helps, relatively than hinders, your efficiency and delight of the game.
Set numerous targets
As a substitute of solely specializing in tempo and efficiency, set quite a lot of targets to diversify your achievements, and write them down in your log. Some non-performance-oriented targets (also called “course of” targets, relatively than “consequence” targets) would possibly embody merely working persistently 3 times per week, or discovering a race to volunteer at each season, or counting a selected variety of birds or different wildlife in your run. By increasing your focus, you’ll have the ability to recognize the assorted elements of your working journey past numbers on a web page.
Embrace the method
Have fun (and be aware in your coaching log) each achievement, nonetheless small–like finishing a difficult exercise (for instance), conquering a future, and even discovering pleasure and peace throughout a run. These non-quantifiable successes could be simply as rewarding and fulfilling as reaching a selected tempo or efficiency aim.
Embody non-running information
Use your coaching log to seize extra than simply running-related information. Think about including notes about your temper, sleep patterns, vitamin, and even private experiences throughout your runs. This broader perspective can present worthwhile perception into the holistic components that contribute to your working efficiency, reinforcing the significance of self-care and general well-being. (Your working ought to contribute to, relatively than detract from, your sense of contentment and well-being!)
Monitor traits
Slightly than obsessing over day-to-day fluctuations in tempo and efficiency (even important ones), deal with figuring out long-term traits in your coaching log. (Exercise trackers or health apps resembling Strava could be useful with this.) Search for patterns that spotlight areas of development. By observing traits over time, you may make extra knowledgeable changes to your coaching plan and monitor your progress extra meaningfully, relying on what you need to get out of working.
Replicate and study
Take time to mirror in your coaching log periodically, figuring out what labored properly and what didn’t. This reflective apply can present worthwhile insights, serving to you refine your coaching method and enhancing your general working expertise.
