Running Journals vs. Race Journals: Why Every Runner Should Have Both
- charleencollins
- Jul 17, 2024
- 4 min read
The Daily Grind: Keeping a Running Journal
For most of us who lace up our shoes a few times a week and hit the pavement, a running journal is a trusty companion. This humble notebook (or app, for the tech-savvy among us) becomes a treasure trove of data, reflections, and sometimes, confessions. Each entry in a running journal helps keep track of mileage, pace, routes, and how you felt during your run. It’s the day-to-day grind that builds the foundation for those races we love so much.
Why Keep a Running Journal?
Track Progress: There's nothing more satisfying than seeing your improvement over time. Did you start the year barely managing a mile and now you're breezing through a 10K? Documenting these changes can be incredibly motivating.
Identify Patterns: Notice you always have a tough time running on Mondays. Maybe that’s because you’re recovering from weekend long runs. Seeing these patterns can help you tweak your training for maximum benefit.
Accountability: Writing down your runs makes skipping a workout harder. There’s a certain level of commitment that comes with knowing you’ll have to record that you didn’t run.
Mindfulness: Reflecting on how you felt during each run can give insights into your mental and physical state. Stressed at work? Maybe that’s why your pace slowed. Feeling great after a new warm-up routine? Jot it down.
The Glory Days: Keeping a Race Journal
While a running journal is essential for daily training, a race journal is where the magic happens. Every race tells a story, and every runner has a different experience worth documenting. A race journal captures these moments in detail, allowing you to relive those exhilarating, exhausting, and sometimes hilarious experiences.
What's Included in a Race Journal?
Race Details: Date, location, distance, your race number – the basics. These details might seem trivial, but they paint the backdrop of your race story.
Conditions: Describe the weather – was it blistering hot, pouring rain, or perfect running conditions? How did the terrain feel? These factors can significantly impact your race.
Race Companions: Who did you run with? Friends, family, or maybe you made a new friend on the course? These people become part of your race story and in my opinion are amzing people to have in your life!
Pre-Race Rituals: What did you eat the night before? Did you have a special breakfast? Pre-race rituals are part of the charm.
Race Highlights: This is where the fun begins. Did you see any funny signs? ("Worst parade ever!" is a classic.) Did you encounter a runner dressed in a costume? Write it down!
Challenges: Document the tough parts. Did you hit "the wall" at mile 20? Did you have to make an emergency port-a-potty stop? These challenges are part of what makes your race experience unique.
Fueling Strategy: What worked and what didn’t? Did you drop a gel? Did your earbuds die, leaving you to finish the race in silence? All of these details are gold.
Results: Your finishing time, placing, and any personal records (PRs) you achieved. Celebrate your accomplishments!
Post-Race Reflection: How did you feel after crossing the finish line? Exhausted, elated, or a mix of both? What did you learn from this race?
Every Race Has a Story
As you compile these race stories, you'll find that every race has a unique tale to tell. Here's a sneak peek into one of my favorite entries:
Name and Place of Race Charleston 1/2 Marathon 1-20-24
Race Conditions Chilly we were freezing at the start but remembered to bring throw-away sweatshirts!
Distance13.1
Emotions Before & After Race Honestly a tad hungover and not at all ready to run a 1/2. After the race, we went to a nice bakery, had an amazing HOT cup of coffee, and split a piece of coconut cake!
Race Result 2:21 minutes unofficial time
Friends who joined: Missy, Annie, Melinda, and Shelly It was amazing to have friends there to cheer us one! We loved stopping, hugging them or should I say air hug them because we were so sweaty, quick selfie and off we went! Such a morale booster!
The Value of a Race Journal
Revisiting your race journal entries allows you to relive your achievements, laugh at the mishaps, and appreciate how far you’ve come. Each race is a milestone, a chapter in your running story, and compiling these memories creates an incredible keepsake.
Whether it's the thrill of your first 5K, the agony and ecstasy of a marathon, or the camaraderie of a relay race, each event adds to the rich tapestry of your running journey. Documenting the good, the bad, and the amazing ensures that no detail is forgotten, and every race can be cherished forever.
So, if you haven’t started a race journal yet, now’s the time. Capture those memories, reflect on your experiences, and create a keepsake that you’ll treasure for years to come. Remember, every race has a story – why not document it?
Happy running and happy journaling!
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