Day 30 – Chart It Out

If you are keeping a log but it isn’t doing too much for you in the motivation department, then consider a chart. 

I am a visual person and like to see things laid out for me.  So if I want to see progress in my running or increases in mileage it is tough to look at a page of words and numbers and be motivated by it all.  Instead I like to chart it so I have an instant visual representation of what I’m doing.  So if I see I am 10 miles behind last months mileage I immediately get in gear and see if I can beat it. 

Basically I keep a bar graph of each week’s and month’s mileage.  I also use colors to include intensity.  So, each day I fill in a little bar for each mile run with the color corresponding to the intensity I ran it in.  Intensity matters because if you push yourself to do 8 minute miles for only 2 or 3 miles but the next day you run 3 miles at 9 minute miles you will feel the difference. 

I also include warm ups and cool downs if I am doing a tempo or fartlek run.

So if you find a written log or diary isn’t motivating you enough try to chart it!

Day 1:  Introduction – You are here πŸ™‚
Day 2:  Start Small, Build Slow
Day 3:  It Doesn’t Have To Be Boring
Day 4:  Stitches
Day 5:  Keep a Diary
Day 6:  Dangerous Thoughts
Day 7:  Week 1 Done – Some Suggestions
Day 8:  Treadmill Training – Baby it’s cold (or raining) outside
Day 9:  A Motivational Quote for You
Day 10:  Distractions
Day 11:  Partner Up!
Day 12:  Another Motivational Quote to Ponder
Day 13:  A Word on Dehydration and Motivation
Day 14:  Week 2 Flew!  Check in
Day 15:  Mornings
Day 16:  Visual Motivators
Day 17:  Knees
Day 18:  Another Motivational Quote
Day 19:  Don’t Forget
Day 20:  The Coach
Day 21:  Week 3 – Almost There!
Day 22:  Give Yourself a Break
Day 23:  Lower Legs and Feet
Day 24:  Control
Day 25:  Another Motivational Quote
Day 26:  Keeping a Log?
Day 27:  Test Yourself
Day 28:  Week 4 – This is it!
Day 29:  Goal Time
Day 30:  Chart It Out
Day 31:  What Is Your Incentive?

Also, if you want more motivation, you might want to follow my Pin Board ‘Run’!