Running Log

I keep a consistent training log. It's hand written and goes back to September of 2012 in the same book.  I am starting a new book up with the new year... though I cannot find a medium sized graph paper moleskin notebook anywhere in Ashland.... the search continues!

My log was about as exciting and enjoyable to write/read as my running had been through November. So, not very. I have thought about not logging anything for a few weeks or a month at a time just to relieve myself of the task, maybe of some residual stress associated with performing, documenting and seeing my running take shape in such a serious/set and written form. It sometimes feels like if I didn't write it down, it could be free to be different or better in some mysterious intangible way. But it comes back to wanting to eventually total things up and see what my year quantified up looks like in terms of mileage, time, or the always entertaining page flipping week to week for quick glances at workouts, long runs, and even pretty blank sections and reminisce about the good, bad, and indifferent times.

There had been a lot more indifferent times in 2014 than what is normal for a year in my running log. Now, this is only a running log for me so its not a diary or a journal. Its a written account of my training, primarily for training purposes and to make adjustments in the future. If it contained more personal information about my life maybe I'd find myself flipping back and seeing very clear reasons I felt so indifferent about training, or maybe not. Either way, I'm glad to say that in the last month+ things have begun to swing in the other direction. Things have become more enjoyable and more successful. I have a stronger, more defined motivation and now that I am a month or so into the training schedule for track season I can feel myself becoming much more balanced and strong physically as well which is something I lacked for much of the past year.

I am not often inspired or determined to stick to a new routine or set out specific resolutions when the new year hits. This year is no different in that way. I find that I do enough introspection on a normal basis to put efforts in place that will help change things for the better anytime I recognize something that could use a tune up. This happens on a small scale probably daily, but weekly sounds more believable so I'll go with that. This doesn't usually leave me with much that I feel needs hard outlining when Jan 1st comes around. One of the major things that I feel is different this year is a light. A light at the end of the tunnel. Its far but I can catch a glimpse of it. It is far off but it tastes like graduation. Its about an entire year away and I know it isn't always the great change everyone hopes it would of been once it happens but I'll see how that experience plays out when I get there.

In the mean time, I am motivated right now. I get restless doing the same things for too many sequential months. (Thats why my real full resume that would list all the jobs I have actually had would be 2-4 pages long depending on job task description lengths.) Having this light helps drive me. Knowing that having a dedicated coach and team and task at hand is one of few ways to get the best out of myself as a runner, I can commit and be motivated to achieve and push.

My running log is totaled for 2014. Its kind of awful. But I know it could be oh so much worse. I am excited to be starting 2015 how and where I am. I am (mostly) perfectly healthy and ready to set out and get things accomplished. When desire and action meet, peace can be achieved in my mind. Desire and action are nowhere near always aligned and thats for many reasons, but it feels balanced for now. So I will capitalize on progress and enjoy the process 'till the cows come home.

2014 totals:

First 6 months mileage: 803
Issues: Sick/Sick/Backpacking 2 months

Second 6 months mileage: 626
Issues: Hurt Foot/Crashed Bicycle/ Hurt Foot for a while

2014 mileage: 1429
Positives: Trained on a Bike a lot/Learned about life beyond running.