Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Runner's Journal: Your Daily Training Partner and Log

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As with Goldielocks and her dilema finding the right sized bed. I was having the same problem recording my daily running and crosstraining activities. I recorded my running in a training log that was too small to allow me to write all I wanted. I recorded additional running info,cross-training and weight training info on gym cards. It was a mess to put it simply. Then I found "The Ultimate Runner's Journal" that fit just right. This journal provide enough space to enter splits, heart rate information, cross-training activities, notes about aches, goals and weekly totals. The full size pictures dotted throughout the journal are fantastic and highlighted by words of inspiration. The advice section features great information by Sally Edwards and Daniels along with levity provided by Joe Kelly and his 53 Runner's Commandments. I am ordering another copy since my lovely dog Abbey found another use that I am sure the authors did not consider...teething toy.

The Ultimate Runner's Journal is easily the best log book on the market. I've tried several other logs, and none come close to providing the amount of space available to write about my runs every day. That's why I'm very confused by the previous review--the writer states he wants a lot of room to write. That's exactly what The Ultimate Runner's Journal provides, so his criticism is puzzling to say the least. If you don't like pictures (and I don't know too many people who don't like pictures...), then it is very easy to skip them since they are on their own pages. Maybe what he really needs is a lined college notebook!

The Journal is geared toward all levels of runners--the pace charts go from 5 minutes per mile to 15 minutes per mile. Even brisk walkers could use the pace charts! I also love the quote that starts off each week on the right foot. They are well-chosen to provide inspiration one week, a good laugh another, and offer contemplation yet another week. I thought the articles were excellent as well, particularly the training article by Jack Daniels that is based on his book, Daniels' Running Formula. He tells you exactly how to train from middle distance to the marathon. Very useful. In sum, The Ultimate Runner's Journal easily rates as the best log book available today for runners of every ability--whether you like to write a lot or a little, read some or not at all, and gaze at great pictures, or thumb past them. With this book you have that flexibility, while with others, you don't. The Ultimate Runner's Journal is simply THE BEST!

This is the most versatile and comprehnsive training log on the market. I've used many over the past 25 years and none offered the flexibility to adequately record the variety of information this log allows, heart rate data, routes, cross training, weather, emotions etc. A beautifully orgainized and easy to use, this log takes the grand prize with no others challeging for its place at the top. Wonderful advice is provided by true experts in the field of exercise physiology and training along with easy to use planning charts. This log does more than just record, it allows for review, planning and preparation. Way to go Richard and Dennis, this is a long needed item for every endurance athletes bag.

Over the past few years, I struggled to find a running log that was right for me. I have finally found one. This is it. Not only is there space to put the results from my daily runs, but there is also space for my goals and training plan. The training guide in the front of the book is also helpful, providing useful tips and training plans.

While I can understand the appeal some runners have towards this running log, I personally found it too picturesque with a lot of fluffy details. It is too loaded with other stuff that I think shouldn't be in a log book like all those pictures and quotes. Of course, I guess different people think differently in terms of what makes a good log book. For me, a good logbook is one that is minimalist on the pictures (none the better) and quotes and mainly with space to write down the interval training, long distance runs, pace, heart rate etc. that are essential in a log book.

And the other thing about this book is that it's format is too huge. Half the size would be good.

I have been using a running journal for several years and this is a very nice one. Is it the ultimate one? That is certainly a matter of taste. If this were the ultimate one, it would be structured to accommodate more than one workout in a day, it would be hardcover, and it would be waterproof. And Amazon would be giving them away free.

The large format is very nice if, like me, you want to have some room to write. The training information in the front of the log is great but I already have that information in other books. Once you've read it then it's just dead weight to haul around. (This is important to me because I do carry my training log around with me most of the time.) It would be nicer if this supplemental material was in another volume that you could leave at home.

If you want a minimalist log (like the one you get for subscribing to Runner's World), then this is not the log for you. If you need room to take careful notes of your training, then you'll appreciate this log.

While this training log is a pretty decent one, the "product description" for this item is incorrect. It specifically says that it includes "full color photographs," and it does not. The only "full color photograph" in the log is the cover. I was disappointed upon receiving it.