Chicago Run

I am in Chicago on business and was able to get out for a run after work and before dinner tonight. I left from my hotel beside the Merchandise Mart and headed east along the river until I arrived at Lake Michigan. I ran around the area a little bit before heading to the north side of the channel and into the Navy Pier. Than I headed north for a while and zigzagged my way through town and back to my hotel.

Week 12: I'm Still A Loser

I weighted in this morning and was pleased with the result. I lost another 2.2 pounds, a little more than intended, but I won't argue with it. That brings me to about a half a pound away from 50% of my weight goal and the lowest weight I've seen on the scale in 20 years!

When I think about 25 lbs, and having another 25 lbs to go, I am very excited. I can't imaging running miles on the trail holding a 25 lb weight, let alone two 25 lb weights! I can already see how reducing the weight is lessening the impact on my body during my long runs. I also feel an increase in energy, probably a combination result of quitting smoking, improved nutrition, weight loss, and the ongoing exercise.

Revenge Run (12 Miles)

I had a great run yesterday, but it wasn't good enough. By that I mean that I could not get my failed run from last weekend out of my head. So I decided to run again today and to attempt the run I planned for last weekend.

I started at the MADD shelter along the Northshore Trail and jogged to Rockledge Park and back, about 12 miles round trip. I kept the pace slow, practiced my new foot strike, and walked up the hills, all so that I wouldn't injure my calf muscles again.

View of Northshore Trail from Rockledge Park

L-Five Trail Run Report (08.3 Miles)

My run today was a significant turning point in my training. I ran injury free for eight miles and felt like I could have repeated the run over and over again. I will get into the reasons in the Learning section.

I also had the pleasure, once again, to run with the North Texas Trail Runners. This time our small group was lead by Char Thompson, the President of NTTR. It was nice to run with Char. Although she probably didn't realize it, she was a great teacher, answering endless questions and literally leading by example as we watched her running technique.

At the end of the run I thought about tagging on a few more miles. When I asked Char if she was going to run some more, she noted that she had planned to repeat the same run another 3 times. WHAT??? That's like 30-something miles of the toughest part of the Northshore Trail. A nice little "training run," as she referred to it as.

I don't have that range yet, but as Char encouraged me, it will come slowly over time.

Char Thompson leading part of our
group along the Northshore trail.

Victory!

I've won a victory today, and I feel good about it!

I didn't run yesterday because my calf muscle injury was still bothering me. This morning I was going to take another day off and maybe do some upper body or core strength training. But my wife and a friend encouraged me to get back out on the trail, and they agreed to run with me.

I decided to take it easy, a nice slow 13 mpm jog. I could immediately feel pressure in my calf, but no pain. By the end of the first mile I was starting to feel better. And by the end of the run I couldn't tell I had any calf issues. We ran the Northshore Trail, from Boy Scouts to Rockedge and back, about 4 miles round trip. It was awesome!