Save the Date

It’s not always easy to stick to a training plan. There are a million and one things that can pop up at last minute on any given day causing us to not get out and run. Our training plans need to anticipate this. If there is no plan to run, it is easy to let other things get in the way. One way to approach this is to write down your training plan. I put all of my planned workouts in writing. By putting it in writing, you are making running one of your priorities.

Writing down your workout schedule offers many benefits. It allows you to plan for rest days. You can plan longer runs on days you know you will have more free time. You’ll get an idea of what your mileage for any given week will look like. It will be possible to make other plans around your running schedule. You can assess and monitor areas of flexibility within your workout. If something comes up you can move it over to one of the days you had allotted for rest. Now that it’s on paper you have a plan, you have a schedule, and you have goals. It’s not to say you might not still miss a workout here and there, or have a rough week. But, at least you’re making it easy as possible for you to find the time to get out and run. Not just for running this could work for any form of exercise; walking, running, biking, swimming, you name it!

Find a calendar template online. They are all over the place. Just Google “calendar template” or explore features in Microsoft Office. Find a template, type your workouts in the blanks, and print it out. Stick it on the refrigerator. As you go, along cross off successfully completed workouts as well as making any comments or notes. It will sort of double as a journal painting you a picture of your training to reflect on. It’s right to write.