Running log: Does anybody else keep a log of... - Bridge to 10K

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Running log

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10
25 Replies

Does anybody else keep a log of their runs and times or is it just me? I have kept a log on a Excel spreadsheet since 2011, there's probably not a great deal of use for this but it has become a habit nevertheless. I have had a Garmin which records everything for a couple of years but despite that I still enter my runs on my running log.

Today I did a 5k, not my favourite route to be honest, a bit hilly but in these days of restricted mobility beggars can't be choosers I guess. I did it in 32.57, on checking my log I see the best ever I have done a 5k (flat route) was 32 mins so I was not too displeased. It either means I'm not improving or that at least despite getting older I'm not really getting slower, depending on your viewpoint 😁

Happy lockdown running everybody 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️👍

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orangeguy profile image
orangeguy
Graduate10
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25 Replies
Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

I love that you have kept a spreadsheet! I wish I had a log of all my runs, although I have a few years now on Garmin Connect.

I often wish there was a way to save all my posts from these forums actually - that would be a lovely record of the highs and lows of my running journey!🤣

As for PB times and performance, I like to think it means we are staying young! Sadly, most of my PBS are from about three years ago...but I refuse to believe they can't be broken! I ran a PB on a hilly route recently, so you never know!🤞🤣

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

Yes I do! I have a Garmin too and every run is recorded but I still enter details on my iPad. I’ve been running for over seven years now and have details of each and every run after graduation! I love looking back and seeing my progress (or not 🙄).

I find it easier to check back various times, data etc on the iPad rather than log on to Garmin Connect. I also think it’s invaluable when I’m injured because I can go back and check when various injuries happened (ie was it after a particularly fast run?) and to look at how I recovered and what length runs I did to get back to full fitness.

For long runs I also record what I ate and when I ate.

Glad it’s not just me 🙄

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

Great run, good time for a route you’re not overly in love with. I love recording runs. Numbers is my thing. I spend hours pouring over my garmin stats. I’ve not got as far a spreadsheet yet because I know once I do that I’ll never leave the computer. I do however have a nice little set of bar graphs hand drawn showing the elevation gains for each run this year - aiming for a virtual Everest. Happy running 🤗

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10

I'm already feeling better knowing that I'm not the only one 🤣🤣🤣

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply to orangeguy

Ive just totalled my elevations - 4878m this year. Now I'll have to look up Everest to see how much further I have to go.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate10

I don't write anything down but I love looking over all the stats on garmin and strava. 😊

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

I have a Garmin Forerunner 15 and Forerunner 35 since I started running 3 years ago. I started doing an Excel log but the information on Garmin Connect was very good. I’m also on Strava. But I sometimes look back at progress or lack there of on Garmin Connect and the parkrun results page. I also log the distance on my running shoes on Garmin Connect.

Well done on your running.

Damien

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Thanks Damien, logging the running shoe time is a really good idea, never done that.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to orangeguy

Yes you can log your running shoes on Garmin Connect. I only wear my running shoes for running. So each time I log a run it logs the distance against my shoes. I have 813 Km’s on my shoes now. Time to buy new ones.

Damien

Morning orangeguy! Well done on your running and I love that you keep a spreadsheet! 👏👏 I wouldn’t have the patience to do that. However I do run with my Garmin forerunner and thats my log.

We are the same age and I too wonder about my speed and times too. The best I’ve done is I think about 37mins for 5k! that was on my treadmill.

I cannot do that outside as the hills and inclines are hard. Although I’m managing to run albeit slowly some of them! So I often wonder how long will my running last.....! When will I stop? not yet!🤣🤣🤣🤣

Happy running 🏃‍♂️and keep safe!🤗🤗👍

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10 in reply to

Not sure if you have ever seen this, it might be of interest: healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

I fully realise the spreadsheet is very "old school" but then at 62 I think I am allowed to be🤣 Even though I have my Garmin I still use the spreadsheet, its just a habit now.

I'm no lover of hills either 😏

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

I don’t orangeguy , but I know a man who does!🤣🤣

UpTheStanley has records of both our runs since we got our Garmin watches, and every now and then he will give me some stats about the times or distances. I’m more of a photo and race report person. Each to their own.

Thanks ! I’ve just checked it out and saved it to my posts. I don’t feel so old now!🤣🤣🤣🤗

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10

More or less guilty as charged by Dexy5 - the first entry in my spreadsheet is dated 10 July 1997, the start of me working up to that year's Great South Run. But it's not quite every run, especially since I got my Garmin. Now I usually only separately record runs which are part of some sort of improvement campaign, like at the moment I'm trying to increase the distances I can maintain at 13kph (4'36"/k), hoping to get to 5k in 23 minutes, and at 12kph (5'00"/k), hoping to get to 10 in 50. And I'll start a new sheet when Dexy starts working her way back from her ski-ing accident in a week or two. But in fact this thread has made me realise that I've not been tracking some of the things I should have been :-( , and I've got a few hours catching up to do ….. best get on with it then :-)

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley

Its good to know I'm not the only using the old school spreadsheet method then, well done 👍😁

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy

When I was able to run, I was recording my runs on a spreadsheet then I discovered an android app called Pace+ (I have no connection with it) and it did everything I wanted plus more - I think it was free but can't be sure - it is here - play.google.com/store/apps/... other apps are available

Boy, do I miss the running - see runners all the time and just feel sad. Oh BTW - can't run at the moment due to health/bone issues.

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10 in reply to Theziggy

Really sorry to hear that . . . will you be able to get back to running in the future?

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy in reply to orangeguy

I have no idea orangeguy really hope so, don't walk either now - slumped in armchair like a person slumped in an armchair - reason is palindromic rheumatic - worse than being ran over by a train (almost) - knocked my life for six) I am aware a lot of people have it worse than me - but I have to be measuring it's impact on my health and life by how I was before this and how I am now 👍

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10 in reply to Theziggy

I really don't know much about this but am I right saying the symptoms can just disappear and without any lasting damage? . . . well I hope that is the case for you and very soon too so you can get your running shoes on again - take care.

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy in reply to orangeguy

Sadly no orangeguy I've had this for 2 years + and still on steroids for the inflammation/ Come May I intend to start to do some mild exercise every day - building up!

Stay well

ForbiddenPlanet profile image
ForbiddenPlanetGraduate10

It was buying a Garmin that spurred me to start C25K at the end of last August. I've been very happy using the Garmin Connect website to view the data collected. It looks to me like a lot of work and thought has been put into it, and over the months I've been using it I've learned to understand the data as it relates to my running a little better. Though if I had years of runs to look back over I might want something more. I like that the Activities page will download a text file / csv with the data in, ready to open in Excel, and that whilst viewing an individual run I can export splits to a csv file.

Sarararara profile image
SararararaGraduate10

During C25K I logged every run on my iPhone calendar but recently discovered you can only look back at these events for 2 years.

Seem to have salvaged them via a journal app however I think I need to go the excel route so I can combine it with newer Garmin data. Top tip, thanks!

Love2run1969 profile image
Love2run1969

It's funny when I came across your post my sister who has done 2 Iron Man's told me that I should keep a Daily Journal but what I noticed in my phone because I have a Samsung phone the Samsung Health app on it does everything for you it tracks your speed your pace your distance your calories burned and you can upload a photo and leave notes so it's pretty cool

Flattttt profile image
Flattttt

I keep track in a spreadsheet right now because I’m in training, The idea of an app sounds intriguing.

I’ve got all my runs sketched out through January of next year. I’m wrapping up C25K, and then I’ve got a consolidation. Once that’s done, I’ll enter Ju-Ju’s magic in the google sheet, followed by consolidation.

It’s really helpful — on each run day, I look at the spreadsheet for exactly how long to run.

The spreadsheet is also helpful because if I miss a day, or decide to repeat a day because I didn’t run as long as I was supposed to according to the training plan, , or just don’t feel I’m ready to advance, I adjust the plan accordingly. (copy and paste to move future runs further down on the calendar by a day, etc).

The other way it really helps me is, quite honestly, I don’t run every day (C25K has one day of and 2-day off segments, of course), so I kind of lose track of when I have run. Have I had one day off ? Was it two days off? For some reason I can’t really ever remember. Love that spreadsheet.

So, I useIt as a planning mechanism, but you’re really talking about tracking historical data.

I think that would be useful to see if I’m getting slower over time as I age and do something about that. I’m in my mid-50s.

How about that, someone in his mid-50s don’t care to 5K! I swear I’m the only person in my vicinity doing anything like that. Except for one old guy (runner) who looks great.

I will say, after January, I’ll probably keep tracking the runs even though I may be out of training., because I want to maintain a certain number of minutes running each week.

For example, i know myself, — I have days where I’m kind of tired and Run fewer minutes than I’d planned.

Having tracked that, I’ll know at the end of the week how many more minutes I want to run (to maintain the same number of running minutes each week. )

I’m on a mission to enjoy this but also to protect my health! It’s a slippery slope, and I have fallen off the wagon from running and lifting weights many times. The spreadsheet will help remind me of whether I’m meeting my goals.

I don’t track a lot of data, so the spreadsheet Is good enough. I guess what works, works.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

Yep, I do have a spreadsheet as well as all logged on Strava.

The spreadsheet is more about looking a monthly mileage/no of runs for an easy glance. 👍🏻😁

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