Time to think about your technology

Year end / year begin is always a great time to draw a line in the sand.  It provides a natural marker for measuring what we’ve done, or to compare our efforts from year to year.

It was 11 years ago today, 12/26/1998, when I started my running log, and I just love the ability to go back and see what I did in prior years.  The genius about starting just before the new year is that I had the complete statistics for year 1, or 1999.  It was far from a stellar year, logging only 350 miles, taking virtually the entire summer off, but I have it, in full, and can look back and remember it in its entirety.

About a year ago, I discovered DailyMile.  My first posted workout was on 12/28.  And since I was using it on 1/1, I also have a full year of statistics available to me on the platform.  So, when I get ready to write my obligatory year in review post later on this week, I’ll be able to use the site to get a full picture of what I did over the last year, and probably include some screen shots of their graphical analysis tools.

Just recently, I discovered RunKeeper.  The jury is still out on RunKeeper as I’m trying to figure out how well it is going to work for me.  For example, the GPS on the iPhone leaves a lot to be desired, so my distances on RunKeeper are usually not right.  But, so far I like it, and it looks like a keeper, as it allows me to capture data on pace and elevation that I can’t really get anywhere else.  Again, since I’ll be using it on 1/1, at the end of the year, I’ll be able to use it to get a picture of the full year of 2010.

Just something to think about.  With a fresh start to the year, maybe time to think about the tracking technology you use, so that at the end of the year, when you are ready to look back, that technology has the full picture for you.

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