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What are the benefits to starting a training log & what makes a good training log?

  • 19-12-2021 11:28pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,247 ✭✭✭ Laineyfrecks


    As someone who has a training log & reads a lot of other peoples training logs I was just wondering what people think are the benefits to starting a log? Also what makes a log worth reading?

    We all write differently, some like lots of details & not always running related but involving other aspects of their life because they feel all that ties into their running ultimately. We all have busy lives & try to fit our running in around our families, work life & other commitments.

    Others like to keep it less personal, explaining exactly what they did just in running terms. To me no way is right or wrong, I think a log is a personal thing but was wondering what others think? What draws you to read one log over another?

    The benefits for me have been mainly positive. My log holds me accountable for my training especially when it comes to races & staying disciplined to a training block. I also found the knowledge & support on here to be really great when it came to doing my 1st Marathon & thankfully any subsequent races. Just for someone new starting a log what benefits would people feel they have gotten from their log?



Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭ OOnegative


    The benefits are what the logger/poster takes out of it, I started my “first” log as a naive idiot to be honest. I look back at my first few posts in my original log and I seriously sound like a tool!!!

    This forum can seriously teach you something, for me a great training log is something like TbL’s or Laineyfrecks. Reality with a bit of comedy, but with decent training.



  • Registered Users Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭ Sunny Dayz


    That's a good thread to start up!

    While my log has been poorly neglected over the past year, when I was posting regularly I found it really helpful to me. It helped me reflect on my run / training / race and to get my thoughts out, if I had any. Looking back on my strava will only tell me so much, if I'm logging it here, I might mention I was tired, it was raining, etc. Sometimes if I want a bit of motivation I'll go back and read some of my earlier log entries to see how far I've (hopefully) come along. Also if I'm running an event I've run previously, I like to read the previous race report, just to get a feel for the event again.

    I find other peoples' training interesting, even if most of it is faster and higher miles than myself! But a lot of the same things apply across the board (pardon the pun) and it's all relative. It's interesting to read how other people train, observe other peoples' progress, and some coming back after injury. I really enjoy reading race reports - you really get into it and you find yourself willing the runner along mile by mile as you read it!! you are rooting for them, especially if you've been following their training plan on the log.

    If you don't have a log, I would recommend setting one up.



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,670 ✭✭✭ Annie get your Run


    When I had something to log about, I found it really useful for feedback from those more experienced. I had a lot of really helpful advice over the years. The community feel was really important to me too. Logging kept me honest, it also helped me to see where I may have gone wrong after a race, take learnings from it for future races. As SD said, it's also really interesting reading others training, progression, injury solutions etc. You can get so much from seeing how others approach training plans, how other runners deal with setbacks etc. I stopped because I no longer train but I still come in here to read a variety of logs and see others continue to progress - they are made up of a combination of people I know IRL and others who's logs are just a joy to read. I can't say what makes a good read because the logs I read are all so varied but TBL's and AMK's regularly make me laugh out loud. I like the variety of different styles of writing across the forum. It takes commitment to keep them updated.

    If you're new to here and wondering whether you should or shouldn't, go for it.

    Post edited by Annie get your Run on


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,156 ✭✭✭ ariana`


    Yip love the feedback and insights I get from folk much more knowledgeable and experienced than I am. Also the comradery, support & encouragement.

    It takes a while and a bit of commitment to become invested in a new log. It helps when you've met IRL or have a bit of background knowledge. When the logger is a DCM novice graduate for example then it's easier to get involved in their log, you already have a head start with getting to know the individual and understanding what they are about. It can be a draw if the logger is about the same paces or targeting the same race(s) but honestly I think I read pretty much all the regular logs, for sure some are funnier or more entertaining than others, but everyone can't be a comedian so I try to give the same attention to anyone who puts in the time to write a log.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 214 ✭✭ E.coli


    For me both as a runner and a coach I used training logs as a handy tool. Strava etc are great for the hard numbers but often the most important thing was what was said in passing or even reading between the lines. Working with many from boards over the years often it was a good way to get an insight into there personality and temperament which is really useful for tailoring training and pace/effort prescriptions.

    Personally I have looked back on my own logs a number of times to get a sense of comparison between sessions so I know how they stack up not just from the numbers perspective but also to see what else was going on at the time in my life (stress, work etc)

    Ultimately at that moment I am using it as motivation and accountability as well as a way of reintegrating into the running scene



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,247 ✭✭✭ Laineyfrecks



    I also love nothing more than reading race reports or tough training sessions when people explain what they were thinking when things get tough, I love hearing how different we all are when it comes to gritting it out, how different we approach races, some going out hard & hanging on, others being cautious then giving it all. I enjoy reading about the failures as much as the triumphs because it proves that we are all only human & bad days happen no matter what level you are at!

    @ReeReeG I feel silly sometimes too about posting on other people's logs about training because I wouldn't feel I really have the knowledge for that but again I am trying to learn, I honestly think some people on here have some great knowledge so always happy to see what they have to say. Also like you I love reading those extra details that tell me more about the person outside of their running.

    Some great replies & a lot of similarities in why it's good to start a log so for anyone thinking I'd at least try it out.



  • Registered Users Posts: 10,021 ✭✭✭✭ Murph_D


    This thread title reminded me of a question I was asked when I was in the 'Spotlight' (is it time to revive that?).

    Singer asked the question about which logs were the best, and this was my answer:

    There are a lot of great logs. For me, the very best place the writer’s running experiences and philosophy in the context of wider reflection of life, the universe and everything, and the writer is willing to go beyond the numbers to reveal something deeply personal.

    Historically, Krusty, claralara, Dubgal. Right now (or relatively recently) TbL, OOnegative, Bungy Girl, denisB.

    That was a couple of years ago. The list has been added to since, by Laineyfrecks for sure, and a few more too. But that point about 'honesty' is the key for me. Logs that are just about running are interesting, but not enough. The great ones are all about connecting the running and what it means to be a runner with the rest of the stuff we all have to deal with, i.e. life.



  • Registered Users Posts: 6,580 ✭✭✭ Swashbuckler


    Just one point on reluctance posting on "faster" people's logs.....if you have an opinion or question or something you dont fully get then just post it....at the very worst you'll make the logger think about their approach. At the very best we'll all learn something. It doesn't matter how experienced or inexperienced you are. I'd as soon ask a 2.30 marathoner why he did something as I would a 5hr marathoner. Ive often questioned the likes of AMK , healy etc on why they're doing something. Granted you could argue im closer to their "level" but it really doesn't matter. Everyone has a voice and everyone should feel free to use it. I'm loving my log at the minute coz I have people of all levels throwing advice and commentary my way. If people don't want that then why bother logging.



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