On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Old School

Check this out:


I've decided to eschew online training journals for now. I don't need/want the statistics, frankly. The arbitrary numbers and all of the data just bog me down. I want to run, just that simply - I'm not someone who is motivated by a bar graph or a mileage tally or other quantifications of what to me is a holistic activity. Does that make sense? I contemplated getting rid of my running log entirely, but I want some sort of accountability.

I'll admit some discomfort when I click on my RunningAhead page and see the June/July mileage at zero. I did run in June. I have run already in July. But I know that, and I don't need a website to remind me. When my shoes stop feeling fresh, I'll get a new pair - whether that's 200m or 500m in.

And so yeah I walked during some of my runs this week. Stop laughing at me. That's what happens when you leave for your run between 11am and 1pm on some of the hottest days of the summer so far.

And also? When hipster running logs come in vogue, you can say you saw it here first.
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9 comments:

  1. TamaraThu Jul 05, 08:34:00 AM EDT

    There must be something in the water right now. I ran today without my Garmin. So free!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jeff H.Thu Jul 05, 10:10:00 AM EDT

    This hurts me in my digital feelings area. I hate to see my running friends regress to paper. It's like when friends get married and have kids, they prioritize their paper over you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TThu Jul 05, 10:13:00 AM EDT

      YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. Someday, when YOU have a paper log, you'll understand better.

      Delete
    2. Jeff H.Thu Jul 05, 12:18:00 PM EDT

      1's and 0's 4 ever.

      Delete
  3. EllenThu Jul 05, 10:15:00 AM EDT

    I have a paper log and I use Dailymile. Does that make me half a hipster?

    ReplyDelete
  4. kilaxThu Jul 05, 04:50:00 PM EDT

    Ha ha ha. I love the hipster PDA!

    I keep a paper log and use Garmin Connect (and do a Sunday recap). Something feels good about writing it down. I hope we still get to hear about your 50K training! I did a trail run yesterday in prep to see if I want to consider signing up for one. LOL. Could I be any less committal (sp?)?

    ReplyDelete
  5. SunnyDThu Jul 05, 11:39:00 PM EDT

    Rock on with your paper!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lynda @ Hit The Road JaneFri Jul 20, 01:46:00 PM EDT

    have you ever looked at the Believe I am Journal? It was designed by two pro runners and is really thorough for tracking everything from your training to your thoughts and even when you should replace your shoes.

    http://www.believeiam.com/products/the-believe-i-am-training-journal

    I use it a lot and love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TWed Jul 25, 03:35:00 AM EDT

      You know, I actually bought one and just found it again a few days ago when I was moving - and I threw it out. There was a lot I liked about the journal, but a lot more of it I didn't like. I think I need to go away from a running-specific journal and basically get back to just a simple, straight-up record of my runs. I think I want to figure out what parts of the runs I typically record (is the weather most noticeable? my mood? what's important to me about running?)

      Delete

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