What are the Best Tips for Keeping a Triathlon Training Log?

A triathlon training log can help a triathlete keep track of all the preparation he or she did to get ready for a triathlon. It allows that triathlete to analyze what worked, what didn't work, and what can be done differently for next race. When keeping a triathlon training log, it is important to keep track of all aspects of training, including time spent on each activity, cross training activities, diet, amount of sleep, stress levels, distractions and obstacles to training, and so on. A detailed log entry will allow the triathlete to make judgments as to where to go next with training or how to prepare differently for a triathlon.

Several options exist for keeping a triathlon training log. Be sure to choose one that works best for the individual triathlete. This may mean keeping a hard-copy notebook that tracks triathlon training activities, or it may mean using a computer program to keep track of all aspects of training. Some websites even offer triathlon training log services that will create visuals such as graphs and charts to help the triathlete better understand his or her training habits. Think about what type of log will work best for you by determining which method you are most likely to stick to over a long span of time.

Diet, sleep, and stress levels should be tracked in a triathlon training log in addition to exercise completed. A triathlete's diet can have a tremendous impact on performance, so keeping track of what foods worked well for the triathlete and what foods slowed the triathlete down can be immensely helpful. If possible, track how many calories were consumed during training periods, and make a special note of foods that irritated the triathlete's stomach or made training more difficult. Avoid these foods in the future. Stress levels can affect training as well, so make a note in the training log how much time was spent at work before a training session, and make notes of any stressful situations that may have arisen during the training period.

Be sure to keep the triathlon training log, even after a training session has ended. It may be useful for preparing for that same triathlon a year later, or it may be valuable for a friend or colleague who plans on doing that triathlon in the future. The log will also act as a reference for the triathlete, as he or she can look back at particularly successful training methods as well as at methods that did not work well at all.