Yesterday I started to document my training for the Calgary Marathon using an excel sheet. Currently I am 85 days out from race day which takes place on the 24th of May. My training consists of 5 mandatory runs a week (1 long run, 1 tempo run, 1 interval run and 2 easy runs) averaging around 60 Km per week.
I am using excel to document the next 85 days of marathon prep. This includes my estimated and completed Kilometers, time ran, pace, heartbeat and how I felt physically and mentally about my performance that day. I’m doing this to hold myself accountable but also learn how to use excel.
So far in excel I have learned how to set up a spread sheet, continue patterns using the drag function, use formulas and a few other skills. Starting with a blank spread sheet, I created 10 column (Days Out From Marathon, Type of Training Day, Kilometers Expected, Kilometers Ran, Time, Pace, Heartrate, Observed Difficulty, Positive Takeaway and Something to Improve on). Next I filled out the Days Out From Marathon column by typing 85, 84 and 83 in spaces B1, C1 and D1 then selected the 3 values and drug the following spaces all the way until 0 days out. For the next row Type of Training Day, I observed that each week of my training weeks followed 1 of 3 patterns in how my long, tempo, interval and easy runs were scheduled. So I filled out the first 3 weeks that each followed one of the 3 patterns and then copied and paced the following weeks based on which of the 3 patterns it followed. The next column Kilometers expected had no way for me to create a pattern in what distance I would run on a specific day so I had to manually match the distances on my schedule to the excel sheet. The rest of the columns are to be filled out following completion of the run as shown in the photo under this paragraph. I manually fill out each space with my running data with the exception of pace as I have added the formula =(Columnvalue5/Columnvalue4) which calculates the pace for me.
While I have learned some basics of using excel to document my training, I would like to expand further on my current skills. What I plan to do from here is conduct research on how I can export my Garmin tracking data on my runs to excel and how it can become useful, I would then like to use the data in whatever that use is. I also plan to make weekly charts following the completion of a week that shows my totals and averages throughout the week.
On top of using excel, I plan to document my training weeks in a vlog styled format where I could learn some video editing skills. This would just include filming one of my runs and then presenting the week’s statistics in short likely under 3 minute video. My main motivation for this is to have it to look back on when I am older as well as the skills to use as I continue to work toward my Bcom degree. If I could inspire anyone or create a foundation for others with similar interests I would be even more thrilled.
Thank you for reading my first progress post on this journey and stay tuned for an update on my growth in the near future.