Over the years I've tried to keep a running log many times and many ways. Since I'm old school, this has usually been on paper, either in a log specifically built for the purpose, or in a series of notebooks. Each time I buy one I try to make sure it's more appealing than the last--those little moleskins are seductive. But usually not seductive enough--I write down my workouts and notes on nutrition, aches and pains, etc., for a few weeks, then get distracted and stop.
When I'm feeling more technically sophisticated I get a spreadsheet going--first I used excel, and more recently Google Docs aka Drive. This is a little better, but still, I fall off the wagon all the time.
I tried Daily Mile. And Map My Run. Nothing seems to stick.
So? What should I use--or what should I do to make sure I keep using one of the above?
Monday, February 18, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Rethinking a goal
So, my first goal of 2013 has fallen by the wayside. David and I had planned on running the Oakland Half Marathon on 3/24. However, it is already clear that that training goal is a bit too ambitious, for both of us. While we both could run the distance, it wouldn't be a good idea for either of us. David is looking to race, and knows he will not be able to build up the necessary training by then to race well, and not injure himself. As for me, I just have not logged enough miles to date, to be truly ready for a 1/2 marathon in a month.
Sometimes it's better to rethink a goal than to follow through. It's part of smart training. While you're working toward a goal race, in particular, constantly assess your progress. Have you done what is necessary, to date, to make that goal happen? If not, can you "catch up" with your training? The answer to that, closer you get to race day, is often no--just like you can't catch up on sleep. More miles in fewer weeks will not get you in shape for a race, but will more likely injure you or demoralize you when you don't meet your target. If that race is the Big One, maybe you'll run it anyway. If it isn't, consider if it's worth the risks.
Maybe you need to change your target time. Maybe you need to think of that race as a training run--and stick to the plan of running it at training, not race, pace. Then, pick a different race to meet that original target.
This isn't a way to let yourself off the hook. The key here is constantly assessing your training. Each week, or each day even, you can review your training and see if it is moving you forward as planned. If not, you should have enough time to change direction before it gets too close to your race, to come up with a new plan. If you are paying attention, hopefully that means you are getting your training in, and will indeed meet your goal. But if circumstances have really just aligned against that training, figure out a realistic plan B.
We are still signing up for Chicago, when registration opens on Tuesday. But we're also taking a step back--just how and when are we planning on getting those miles in? What has made it difficult to date? How can we better support each other in sticking to the plan? Between now and Tuesday we'll come up with some answers. And then, we need to find another half marathon for the spring.
In the meantime, I'm running the Oakland marathon as a relay, so will still get out there for a road race with that great marathon atmosphere.
Sometimes it's better to rethink a goal than to follow through. It's part of smart training. While you're working toward a goal race, in particular, constantly assess your progress. Have you done what is necessary, to date, to make that goal happen? If not, can you "catch up" with your training? The answer to that, closer you get to race day, is often no--just like you can't catch up on sleep. More miles in fewer weeks will not get you in shape for a race, but will more likely injure you or demoralize you when you don't meet your target. If that race is the Big One, maybe you'll run it anyway. If it isn't, consider if it's worth the risks.
Maybe you need to change your target time. Maybe you need to think of that race as a training run--and stick to the plan of running it at training, not race, pace. Then, pick a different race to meet that original target.
This isn't a way to let yourself off the hook. The key here is constantly assessing your training. Each week, or each day even, you can review your training and see if it is moving you forward as planned. If not, you should have enough time to change direction before it gets too close to your race, to come up with a new plan. If you are paying attention, hopefully that means you are getting your training in, and will indeed meet your goal. But if circumstances have really just aligned against that training, figure out a realistic plan B.
We are still signing up for Chicago, when registration opens on Tuesday. But we're also taking a step back--just how and when are we planning on getting those miles in? What has made it difficult to date? How can we better support each other in sticking to the plan? Between now and Tuesday we'll come up with some answers. And then, we need to find another half marathon for the spring.
In the meantime, I'm running the Oakland marathon as a relay, so will still get out there for a road race with that great marathon atmosphere.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
What's a volunteer?
For the past few years, my partner's younger daughter Maeve has tagged along for one of our running club's annual traditions. The Pamakid Runners have put on a half marathon in San Francisco since 1983--celebrating its 30th! birthday this year as the Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon on Super Bowl Sunday.
A ton of work goes into putting on the race, and there are club members who spend hours in the weeks and months leading up to race weekend figuring out the logistics and making it happen. The big group volunteer activity, though, is stuffing hundreds--thousands--of race goody bags on the Saturday before the race. This is an assembly line like you've never seen. Paper cuts abound. Tedious, maybe a bit--but not when you're next to great running friends figuring out quirky ways to pass the time (watch out for flying mini Clif bars.) It's also worth it when you consider that your work is for 10,000 runners who will toe the starting line the following morning.
Last year, Maeve, her dad and I went together to stuff goody bags. Ahead of time we talked about how we were "going to volunteer" for the Pamakids. She asked me, what's a volunteer? I explained that volunteering means helping with a task, without getting paid; that it is offering to help make something better for other people. Over the past year volunteering has come up a few times in conversation, and she always mentions the Pamakids. For Maeve, the club is associated with that act of doing good. Nice lesson for a club meant for "Pa, Ma, and the Kids" to teach a five year old.
Thanks to all of the runners, club members and other volunteers who made this year's race happen! (As for Maeve, she has joined her sister in attending school on Saturdays, meaning we both missed out. Next up, Rites of Spring?)
A ton of work goes into putting on the race, and there are club members who spend hours in the weeks and months leading up to race weekend figuring out the logistics and making it happen. The big group volunteer activity, though, is stuffing hundreds--thousands--of race goody bags on the Saturday before the race. This is an assembly line like you've never seen. Paper cuts abound. Tedious, maybe a bit--but not when you're next to great running friends figuring out quirky ways to pass the time (watch out for flying mini Clif bars.) It's also worth it when you consider that your work is for 10,000 runners who will toe the starting line the following morning.
Last year, Maeve, her dad and I went together to stuff goody bags. Ahead of time we talked about how we were "going to volunteer" for the Pamakids. She asked me, what's a volunteer? I explained that volunteering means helping with a task, without getting paid; that it is offering to help make something better for other people. Over the past year volunteering has come up a few times in conversation, and she always mentions the Pamakids. For Maeve, the club is associated with that act of doing good. Nice lesson for a club meant for "Pa, Ma, and the Kids" to teach a five year old.
Thanks to all of the runners, club members and other volunteers who made this year's race happen! (As for Maeve, she has joined her sister in attending school on Saturdays, meaning we both missed out. Next up, Rites of Spring?)
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