Why should you keep a training log of your runs? There are many reasons:
- To help you set and meet your running goals
- To have a record you can refer back to so you can see where you went wrong (or right!) with your training
- As a journal of the routes you like to run and the races you’ve done
I’ve tried to keep a log for many years, but it’s only in the last year or so that I’ve been more disciplined about it. I’ve found that it keeps me honest with my training, and that I really like being able to look back and see what I’ve accomplished.
For those of you that don’t currently keep a training log or are not happy with your current system, I’ve taken a look at a few free online training logs that I think have some great features and are really a pleasure to use. You’ll notice that I haven’t listed some of the more common ones (Runner’s World, Nike) - not because I don’t think they are good, but more because I thought you might like to learn about some non-corporate sponsored alternatives.
Buckeye Outdoors
Buckeye Outdoors is the log I’ve been using for the past year or so. The main page is a calendar of the current month, so you can see at a glance all of your recent workouts. In addition to the basic logging features you’d expect, it also has:
- A training plan interface that allows you to search for a training plan or complete your own training plan and import it into your log
- A ‘daily log’ interface that is accessible from each calendar day that allows you to track your weight, heart rate, diet, etc.
- A reports view that allows you to look at what you’ve accomplished in either a spreadsheet-type view or a graphical view
- A sidebar widget that you can use to display information from your log on your own blog or web site
‘Import Training Plan’ Feature
Who might like it - Runners who want to try to follow a specific plan or like to keep detailed records about their fitness level.
Runstoppable
If I were looking for a new online training log, Runstoppable would probably be the one I’d pick. Although it doesn’t really have any unique features compared to the other sites I’m reviewing here, I’d say that it stands apart from the crowd because of its clean, easy to use interface.
Runstoppable Routes
One of the best features of Runstoppable is its ‘Routes’ feature. When you add a route using this feature, you plot points with your mouse on top of a (Google) map. When you save it, it calculates both the distance and the elevation changes for you. Runstoppable also allows you to create RSS feeds of both your runs and your routes.
Who might like it - Runners who want an easy-to-use log with excellent mapping features.
Flotrackr
Flotrackr log entry
Flotrackr, although not quite as visually appealing as Runstoppable, is also a good, easy to use choice. However, where Flotrackr really excels is in its Facebook-like social media features. Some of these features include:
- Blogging
- Video and picture sharing
- User profiles that are much more personalized and extensive than on most online training logs
- The ability to add friends and teammates and send messages to them
Who might like it - Runners who like social media sites like Facebook and only need basic running log features.
Of course, some of you probably prefer tracking your running on paper rather than keeping everything online. If that describes you, here are a few paper-based logs to try:
I know there are many more training log options out there that I haven’t mentioned, so please leave a comment telling us what your favorite training log is and why you like it. Meanwhile, I wish you all a good year of running in 2008!
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