Ever use paper and a 3-ring binder to keep track of your training?

I did. Back in 2002 and 2003 when I was getting started with training and food logs; every night I grabbed my pen and started writing. It was a nice way to reflect on the day. But, it got too cumbersome. Constantly printing out sheets of paper and filling up binders got to be a pain.

During the 2004 season, I decided to do something new - keep everything on the computer. So I made a training log (and food log) template in Microsoft Excel. You can read more about this in my older training log article…

For 2006, I’ve come a long way since the days of paper and 3-ring binder!

I just finished a Prototyping class in which I learned how to build database systems in Microsoft Access. My new training log system is more like the actual software you would buy vs. filling in sheets of paper.

Basically, I just open up the program, click a button, and type in my ride details. Then if I want to see how many miles I rode for the year or in a certain month, that data is there at the click of a different button!

It was somewhat complicated to build, but it’s a piece of cake to use. So why should you care? Well, I’m giving it out to my loyal site visitors for free!

By the way, this also includes forms for entering your runs! Now that I’ve been running a bit more, I figured I’d throw that in there.

Click here to download everything.

Please post your feedback in the comments right here!

Back in 2002 I started out using paper and a 3-ring binder for my training log. I’ve come a long way since then, especially with my new system for 2006.

See, now I’m starting to use a new database system I developed based on Microsoft Access. It looks pretty promising. I can’t keep something this good all to myself, Read more »

I got some Performance Technique alloy rollers. They rule! Rollers aren’t so bad - they took me 5 minutes to learn. After a week I can stand on them and ride one handed comfortably.

You get a mental workout too. It takes some pretty good concentration to stay on them. If you zone out, you’re done.

More good news…

Supergo said I could send back the trainer, so I did. And they credited my credit card for about $63. That was about the equivalent of the retail price I paid plus what it cost me to ship it back to them. So for the month or two I got to use it, it cost me about $20. Not bad at all.

Supergo is cool in my book.

(I probably won’t be buying a new trainer anytime soon. I can get a really good workout on my rollers; actually, the rollers have more resistance than my mag trainer did.)

I don’t usually buy running shoes online. I like to go to a place like Marathon Sports, run by elite runners that know what shoe will work for me. Saving money isn’t worth having improper footwear that could cause lasting medical problems. So I usually spend about $90.

But if I’m buying shoes for general use, I look for whatever shoes look decent and are cheap. Usually $30 for a pair of Nike or Adidas at J.C. Penny’s.

Well, I’ve found a new source for my shoes: Run Bargains

Why?

They sent me a free hat! I signed-up for their e-mail list, and the next week I got a free running cap in my mailbox! Hand addressed and everything!

How can I resist shopping with them now? Great customer service and I haven’t bought anything yet! Plus, there are online contests where you can get even more free stuff!

Check ‘em out:

http://www.runbargains.com/

By the way, the reason I started browsing the site is because they had sweet shoes by Pearl Izumi for $30!

If you get there soon, you can probably get a free hat too!

Noises from your bike are a true pain in the behind! It’s nearly impossible to diagnose the problem, especially when it only happens sometimes!

Thanks to Jim Langley, we have some help on the topic. Click the link below to check out a new page he added to his site:

http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

Read more »