Start a training diary, it really helped me become a more serious and better runner.

When I first started running, I really wasn't that serious about it. I'd run now and again, sometimes fast, sometimes barely jogging, and then there'd be big gaps in between where I did nothing. A few months into it though, I decided if I was going to run I needed to take it seriously.

So, among other things, I bought a blank book and started to write a training diary. Writing a training diary is a great tip for runners, as it really does focus your thoughts and goals. Also, because you can actually see your progress (and days which aren't so good!), you feel like you're really getting somewhere.

First thing to do to start a training diary is to buy a book. You can buy books that are set up as training diaries, but I preferred to organize my own so I bought a blank book. Once you have your book, set it up. Starting from the front, on every page, I set up columns for Date, Distance I Ran, Time I Ran In, Weather Conditions, Where I Ran and Who I Ran With. Then, starting from the back of the book, I have a section for Goals (these change weekly, so this bit has quite a lot of information in it).

About 15 pages in from the back, I set up a section for Races. Here I record when races are and if I participated in a race, how far it was and what my time was in it.

Other things you can add to your training diary if you like include the Pace Ran (there are several pace calculators online), Calories Used, Weight Loss (or gain) and other information pertinent to you. The great thing, with a blank diary, is you can set it up to be exactly what you need it to be.

There are also several places online where you can write a training diary. The problem with this though is, if the site goes down, you can't access your diary and, if it disappears altogether, you've lost your diary completely. You could also set up a training diary in Microsoft Word or Excel. I prefer the feel of the actual book in my hand though and like to take it with me in my running kit when I go to races.

One thing having a training diary did for me was to help with injury prevention. I've pulled muscles in my knee three times while running (same knee), and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. When I finally looked back at my diary, I discovered all three times I'd pulled the muscle was when I had been running courses that were hillier. Without the diary, I may not have figured this out.

So, if you're serious about your running, buy or set up a training diary. You'll immediately feel more organized and more like a 'real runner' and, if you're like me, that's half the battle.