The Penguin Brigade Training Log

Bingham is a great motivator if you need a little help. For us, putting our training down in writing is a motivator too. A calendar works, of course, too, but then you miss out on his little fun tidbits of wisdom.

I liked the old Penguin Brigade Training Log a lot, but this new 2nd Edition is even better. It has space to record your basic training details -- where you ran and how far -- but also space to record the weather, your diet, heart-rate, cross-training, sleep hours, weight, and mood. It tracks your goals on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis. I like the new I-Rate system of rating your personal effort separate from the objective measures of mileage.It keeps me focused and inspired every day, without fail. The new photos are beautiful, too. Really nice package.

I started running at the age of 40 and I wish this log book had been around when I started. I think it is a terrific book for beginners as well as seasoned runners. I have purchased four of these books as gifts. One of them was for me! I have had other log books but this one makes it fun to keep track. There is plenty of space to make notes and it is undated so you can start the book whenever. Lots of great pictures of "Penguins" and middle-of-the-pack runners and terrific quotes that are geared for you to read on the days when your mental outlook needs a pep talk. The back of the log contains additional info from Bingham, penquin testimonials, special notes for women runners, and training tips. Now lace up those shoes and go have fun!

I loved John's first book, The Courage to Start and I find myself going back to it again and again for that needed lift on those tough days...and we all know about those days. This Training Log is a nice companion to his book. With uplifting tidbits of 'wisdom' to cheer you on (I loved the one about thinking of your shoes as giant erasers, erasing some indiscretion be it food or drink), and pictures of 'real' people running and loving it (not like those you see in Runners World where you wonder if they were ever fat in their life, lol). I would encourage anyone to get this log book, since logging in your thoughts (nothing says it has to be times...thank goodness)helps you along your journey on this waddle pace we like to call running. Waddle on dudes!

John Bingham has brought together his wit and wisdom with lots of photos of ordinary people achieving goals they never thought possible. He has brought his "Penguin Brigade" to races all over the country where they have shown us all that finishing first requires the courage to start. The weeks are not dated, so you can start the log when you are ready to start your training. Lots of tips and inspiration make the weeks fly by.