When it comes to keeping track of my training schedule, I make a spreadsheet for myself and color code the runs when they are done. It is always changing so having a soft copy of it is key for me. But the information that is captured there is really just the numbers, and there is SO much more to every run than “just the numbers.” There is a bigger picture that needs to be seen – there are more details beneath the numbers – and a spreadsheet with miles and paces just doesn’t cut it for me.
I was so excited when I discovered the Believe I Am training journal at the beginning of 2011. I have used mine since January to set my goals and keep track of my progress. I love looking through it and seeing how I was feeling, what I was thinking, what paces I was running and so much more … it really has helped me in so many ways. I love it.
Recently I was given the amazing opportunity to be a part of a fun group of female bloggers (“Sisters in Sport”) to try out the newly updated version of this awesome training journal! While most of it is the same as the original, there are some REALLY great updates to it that make a journal that I already loved even that much more amazing. I started using my new one at the beginning of October to track my progress towards MCM (which is less than 2 weeks away now!) and beyond, in the year ahead.
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| day by day |
October is looking to be the biggest month of my running in all of my life. I set my goals for the month – to “stay injury free, balanced and happy, to ROCK MCM, and to keep smiling”. I want to keep all of these things in mind each time I lace up my shoes for a run. I run because I love it, because it makes me feel good inside and out, and because it helps me to be the best version of myself I can possibly be.
This journal is amazing for me – I love that it is a place I can “ink” my runs and record whatever I feel is important about each one. I love adding up my mileage and seeing how far I have come this year. Most importantly though, I love seeing what was in my heart, what was inspiring me or troubling me, what was speaking to me.
I am setting goals for myself in this journal – goals that go far beyond just running and setting PRs – I am setting intentions and claiming dreams here. And I am not just saying WHAT I want to do, but I am looking deeper into my heart to discover WHY and HOW I want to get there.
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| goal setting |
This journal is truly a gift for me. In such a short time it has helped me find a new perspective. It has helped me seek things inside my heart – through running – that I never imagined I would or could find. It has inspired me to BELIEVE in myself in a whole new way. I am so grateful to have it, and I look forward to using it each and every day.
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| the only thing stopping me…is me |
Over the next couple of weeks I am going to be facing some fears, setting some intentions and putting my heart out on the line to accomplish something that terrifies me yet is something I truly believe I am capable of doing. But the fact is that after Marine Corps Marathon, I will not cease to dream or strive to be the best me I can be. I will continue to move forward, to dream and to enjoy the journey along the way. I am excited to continue to use my Believe I Am journal to keep track of my progress and what is going on inside my heart. And as part of the “Sisters in Sport” project, I will be checking back with monthly posts to share with you guys how I use the journal to help me with my training and my goals.
How do you keep track of your training and your goals? Have you ever used the Believe I Am training journal?
