One of my prized possessions is my collection of running logs. I have them going back to my freshman year of high school cross country in 1984. Did log every mile for the first few years but have routinely logged them since 1992.
Sometimes the logging got in the way of the running. Way back when, I would run routes only on streets as too try and get an accurate mileage for my log. This was in direct contradiction to my belief that the best running is done spontaneously and, ideally, along trails.
Eventually, I got confident enough in my pace judgement and less rigid about accuracy, that I would ballpark my mileage when needed.
My interest, however, did drive my into my current industry, if not profession. In 1994, I found out about geographic information systems (GIS). GIS links a database to a map--basically what Mapquest, GoogleMaps, and their kind use. While those are actually pretty simplistic applications, the first application I saw was measuring my runs. So I now use my accounting degree to write mapping applications.
Later, cheap GPS (Thanks honey for the eTrex back in 1999!) and Nike Footpod technology allowed me to measure completely hands-free.
But I still continued to write my mileage down on paper. A couple years ago, I even designed my own running log, which can be bought at cafepress.com (click picture below). It still has a 2005 calendar in it, but the individual pages are still usable, but I'm not really plugging it.
This year, I am again using the freebie that Runner's World gives away, although they have switched to much thinner cover, which makes me want to check the bookstores for discounted Running Journals but until I get a chance, I'll use what I have.
A drastic change, for me, is I have finally decided to switch counting methods--before I rounded every t the nearest quarter mile. I am now rounding to the nearest tenth of a mile. I use a modified rounding down method, today I logged:
Stats:
2.50 miles in 23:22 (dreadmill)
(9:23 pace)
Splits:
10:16
8:53
(8:36)
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