ChrisG
Unapologetic Lifer for Rock and Roll
There have been some comments & questions regarding training journals. Here are some basic thoughts:
*The method must be one that you are comfortable with. Paper or electronic? Go with the one that you are most likely to return to regularly
*If you go paper, then the next choice is what sort of "container" you choose. I've been using "At A Glance" brand academic planners forever. I buy the exact same model every year. It provides enough space for planning and recording my activities. I use it for keeping track of the rest of my life as well, so it's natural for me to use it daily. There are pre-packaged cycling journals out there available in the local book store or on line if you prefer, or a plain old notebook may feel good for you.
*There are various computer-based logs out there, as some of you have already noted. You can always start a blog, too. All the cool kids are doing it, as Norm notes.
*Here's what I record in mine:
-Saddle time. Not to be confused with how long the ride took; you want to keep track of time spent pedaling.
-Mileage if I have it available (only my geared road bike has a computer).
-Where I rode; weather; conditions if applicable.
-Who I rode with.
-Some comments on the nature of the effort. This will often include how I felt on climbs or hard sections. If I do a structured interval workout I'll be sure to list the specifics.
-Anything else that is notable.
-I also include all indoor workouts, cross-training and racing, with appropriate comments.
I always recorded HR data when I was using a HRM, though that hasn't been for several years now.
*Keeping it simple and user-friendly is important. A few key records, kept consistently for a long-term, is much better than a ton of data that peters out after a couple of months. At the least, keep track of time volume and effort, as these are the biggest elements when analyzing and planning your workouts.
*Remember to keep it fun. It's extremely satisfying to look back on what you've done as it accumulates in your journals, and very valuable for keeping track of peaks and valleys in your performance.
*The method must be one that you are comfortable with. Paper or electronic? Go with the one that you are most likely to return to regularly
*If you go paper, then the next choice is what sort of "container" you choose. I've been using "At A Glance" brand academic planners forever. I buy the exact same model every year. It provides enough space for planning and recording my activities. I use it for keeping track of the rest of my life as well, so it's natural for me to use it daily. There are pre-packaged cycling journals out there available in the local book store or on line if you prefer, or a plain old notebook may feel good for you.
*There are various computer-based logs out there, as some of you have already noted. You can always start a blog, too. All the cool kids are doing it, as Norm notes.
*Here's what I record in mine:
-Saddle time. Not to be confused with how long the ride took; you want to keep track of time spent pedaling.
-Mileage if I have it available (only my geared road bike has a computer).
-Where I rode; weather; conditions if applicable.
-Who I rode with.
-Some comments on the nature of the effort. This will often include how I felt on climbs or hard sections. If I do a structured interval workout I'll be sure to list the specifics.
-Anything else that is notable.
-I also include all indoor workouts, cross-training and racing, with appropriate comments.
I always recorded HR data when I was using a HRM, though that hasn't been for several years now.
*Keeping it simple and user-friendly is important. A few key records, kept consistently for a long-term, is much better than a ton of data that peters out after a couple of months. At the least, keep track of time volume and effort, as these are the biggest elements when analyzing and planning your workouts.
*Remember to keep it fun. It's extremely satisfying to look back on what you've done as it accumulates in your journals, and very valuable for keeping track of peaks and valleys in your performance.