This Running Journal is messing up my Zen

Over the years I'm sure you've heard me talk about how I kept track of my runs. I've used a regular wall calendar for a few years, then I graduated to an actual running log from Runner's World, and then on to the fabulous running journal from Gone For A Run that I just can not say enough about. I love this journal SO much that I wrote about it several times. This journal has everything you need to keep track of training runs, races, PR's, goals, future races, you name it, it's got it. I like it so much that I wrote in depth reviews about it here and here.

I started with my official Runner's World training log when I started training for my first half marathon and then just continued with it throughout the training of my first full marathon.

I moved to the Gone For a Run running journal when I started official training for the 2016 WDW marathon.



Neither the training log nor the journal are filled up, yet I was gifted with another running journal for Christmas. It is The Complete Runner's Day -By-Day Log 2016 Calendar.

I thought about
saving this journal until my other ones were filled up but I can't because this particular running journal is more like a calendar and every page is dated.  So I figured I 'd make this my 2016 running journal.

As much as I like the training tips and full articles in this new journal, I just can not relate to the layout.

1.The days are already marked.  In my other journal/log, I put the date of my run and therefor not wasting any pages.

2.The layout of course is different, and the log is more open to writing your own thing. I like the GFAR Journal where it already lists what things I should be tracking about my run.  I feel this one is too vague. It just has When and Where, Distance, and comments.  As most runners do, I like details. I want to know the weather, the pace, time of day, how I felt, which shoes I wore  (all which of course could be completed in the comment section of this new journal but I like the fact that the GFAR journal already has it listed for you).     


3. If I don't run everyday, then of course there are pages wasted in this new journal.
I often look back in my training journals and read them like a book (I know I'm weird like that). I feel like every training journal tells a story and usually I can vividly remember each run.  For this reason I like to have the runs listed right after one another and not have to flip through pages to find my next run.

4. Of course this new journal has a weekly running log in the back of the journal so I guess I could use that if I wanted to see the progression of my runs all at once.  It has a place to keep a record of the races you run as well. Since I will only be using this journal for one year I know I won't even fill a quarter of the page up!

5. Because there are only so many pages in my GFAR journal, I felt as if I could only use it to track "official" training runs. I wouldn't want to use it for just a lolly gag run or a jog around the park because I wouldn't want to waste a page on that. However, since this new day by day running log already has a spot for each day I don't feel bad logging a less than stellar run or just a walk.

So needless to say, although the there are some useful features in this new journal, I just have a hard time getting use to it. You know how it is when your brain is used to organizing information in one way and then BAM, you change it? Well, that does not work well for me.   -M

We are linking up with the gals from the Friday 5

37 comments:

  1. This is the journal I use. lol I've used it for the past 3 years. But, I must admit, I have nothing to compare it to since it's the only one I've ever tried. Maybe I'll branch out next year!! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Running!

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  2. I tried a running journal once but it never stuck with me. I do however keep a race journal for each marathon I run and I think I've even journaled a few halfs. Its fun too look back, but also years back those journals helped me realize apparently pasta dinners the night before a race were hurting me far more than helping me. So ya, they can definitely be useful.
    If you want to keep it up hope you can get the new one your using to work like you want or hope you find one you like.
    Hey, you could always design your own exactly as you'd like and just self print it. Its cheap to do I've seen 300-400 page printing books starting around $4 a book for self publish stuff:)

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  3. I use the Believe training journal and I like that it has the whole week on one page, but you fill in your own dates. I like being able to see the week at a glance and I tally my total mileage at the end. I also like that it has quotes and other tips throughout the journal!

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  4. I have so many different journals for so many different things, but I must admit that I never stick with them.

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  5. I would struggle with this type of journal too. I keep track of my running/training in a regular journal and write everything including dates etc.

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  6. I've tried the paper journal thing too and it's hard for me to keep up with. I stick with an excel spreadsheet. I just make a new one for each training cycle. It works for me.

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  7. It's so funny how you get used to something and when you try something new, it throws you off! I don't keep a running journal, unless you count Garmin connect and my blog!

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  8. I don't think I would care for a journal like this, either. I like to not waste pages so the Gone For a Run journal is perfect for me, too! :) Have a great weekend!

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  9. I'm super picky about any type of calendar in general so I can totally understand your frustration. I haven't used a training log in a while (bad runner, I know!) but I used to use a cheap planner that I swiped from the office supply room. Shhh don't tell ;) -C

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  10. I don't journal. I used to keep all my runs on my calendar, but it's April 1st and my paper calendar has not even been hung up yet... I log my mileage at running ahead, but I never bother to put much info. I don't think I'd like a running journal that was dated though.

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  11. I have never used a running journal! Maybe I should when I start training for my next marathon.

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  12. You should look into bullet journaling! You make your own layout!

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  13. I don't really care for running journals. I tried it out but it just isn't for me. I do like to take a look through Strava or Map My Run (where I first started logging) to look at trends, changes, etc. but that is about it.

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  14. I did a paper calendar up to the beginning of this year. There wasn't much I could put on that calendar but each day was filled with times, distance, temps, shoes, and if I did a negative or positive split. I graduated to a Runner's World Training Log which sounds a lot like the 2016 one that you have, but I have to put in my own dates. I like format because I can put other things in it like when I swim or bike or do strength training or rest days. But I also like that I can put more comments in then I did with my calendar like what I wore for the weather or if I stretched and rolled (I have found a pattern of not good things when I don't do that on a regular basis)
    @heatherlas.

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  15. I would hate for a journal to have predated pages or a layout to waste pages because who really runs EVERY DAY - unless you're getting paid to do it :)
    Thats why I like making my own lay outs & journals - everyone needs different into that works for them.
    Someone gave me a running journal for Christmas & I haven't even used it yet because it takes me awhile to change my thinking on how I document things.

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  16. I don't do change well either. I don't keep running journals, but I keep track of the miles I did, and what my time was, all in my monthly planner.

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  17. i've never done a running journal but i was thinking just this am that i really need/want to start writing in my regular journal more...creative stuff, highs/lows, good things that happen that i want to record...i do enjoy it!

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  18. I am very set in my ways when it comes to organization, so I completely understand why you're having trouble with a different organizer/journal. I live by the mindset of "If it ain't broke, don't fiz it."

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  19. I sometimes use a running journal but recapping my training on my blog is my most accurate "journal" to date! :)

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  20. I have that journal and stopped using it b/c I waited a year to write in it not realizing it would throw off the dates and it just ended up frustrating me!

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    Replies
    1. Glad I'm not the only one that was thrown off by the dates!

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  21. I've never used a training journal. But I guess I should!

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    1. They are a great way to keep track of runs! You should get one!

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  22. I would agree with you that I would get frustrated by having a set "calendar" format with empty wasted pages on days you don't run. I'm all about being able to create a new entry for every run!

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    1. I like be able to see them all on one page too and this journal does not allow for that unless you run every day!

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  23. I like ultimate freedom for my running journals (I also go back & read them like books!) so I just use a basic lined notebook. Works for me and is really inexpensive!

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  24. I feel you on this. i write everything down, which is one reason online calendars don't really work for me. I'm old school I guess. Lol!

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  25. I use the Believe training journal. Its the first time, and I love it. I am almost at the end. Haven't looked at anything else yet.

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  26. That's too bad.

    I have the Believe journal from Lauren Fleshman which I love -- but it actually doesn't have anything really spelled out for you! I do use the entiries for non-running days to keep track of the activity I did that day -- I can see if I'm getting enough yoga, not enough ST, etc. etc.

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  27. Change is hard at first! I used to have a paper running journal, but now it's all online with Google Calendar and Strava and I really like it that way - now!

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  28. I tried a running journal a few years back but it was too technical. I do write down all my workouts in my calendar though just not the details.

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  29. So I don't use a training journal. I have the blog for that. Maybe I should try writing stuff down on paper and see how that changes things!

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  30. I really don't track my runs. Once I'm done -- and have posted on IG -- I'm done and on to the next thing!

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  31. My blog is my main "journal," but I do log my mileage on a "wall calendar" like you mentioned. If I had another place to document my running/training I think I'd be overwhelmed LOL I certainly see the value in doing so, though. Thanks for the info...I'm going to look into the Gone For A Run journal, that seems like it would be a good fit for me, too ;-)

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  32. I've actually never used a workout journal of any kind... does my blog count???

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  33. I have a notebook where I write out my plans and outfits and then go back and write notes to read the next year. I actually have forgetten to do it for my past 3 races (I should fill those in) but I do like being able to go back and look at suggestions I had.

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