Trail Running Fitness Test 100831 (13:54)

I performed a baseline fitness test today on the Northshore Trail. I have been thinking about developing some method to test my fitness level so I can watch it improve (hopefully) over time. I realize that my trail running fitness test is anything but scientific. I also realize that certain factors can affect the results of the test. However, I figure tracking something is still better than tracking nothing! Time will tell if this is of any value. In this baseline report I will briefly discuss the factors, the concept, and the results of my first test.

Week 6: I'm LOSING IT!

Thankfully, I am talking about my body fat, not my mind! I weighted in again this morning. For the 6th week in a row, I lost weight. I am down another 1.5 lbs from last week which brings me to a total of 14.8 lbs, or about 30% of my 50 lbs goal. I am pretty excited about it.


Weight Loss Summary

• Week 1: Lost 4.0 lbs
• Week 2: Lost 3.1 lbs (07.0 lbs total lost)
• Week 3: Lost 2.6 lbs (09.7 lbs total lost)
• Week 4: Lost 2.0 lbs (11.7 lbs total lost)
• Week 5: Lost 1.6 lbs (13.3 lbs total lost)
• Week 6: Lost 1.5 lbs (14.8 lbs total lost)

L-Five Trail Run Report (04.1 Miles)

I had an OK run today. No drama. I struggled a little bit with my calf muscles, probably due to trying to change my foot strike. Following is my L-Five Trail Run Report.

Length: 04.06 Miles / 1 Hours and 1 Minute

My training plan called for a four mile run today. In response to the lessons I learned as a result of overtraining, I have decided to stick to my plan unless I have a specific reason to deviate from it. Feeling good isn't a good reason to increase my scheduled miles--I will build up slowly. However, if I am not feeling good, I am OK with dialing back the miles or rescheduling or skipping a run altogether. I am also paying closer attention to the symptoms of overtraining so that I do not repeat my previous mistakes.

View from Northshore Trail

My Best Run Ever!

Yesterday I was planning to take a rest day since I am just returning to running after recovering from my symptoms of overtraining. However, I received an unexpected invitation to run the trails. The invitation came from a person that loves to run, but she only runs on the treadmill at our local fitness center. She's never run the trails because she is afraid of the snakes and spiders and all the other deadly things that are out there (chuckle). I've wanted to run the trails with her since I started my challenge, but I've never been able to convert her. Who is this mystery woman? I am talking about my beautiful wife, Jane!

Jane didn't feel like going to the fitness center yesterday but she knew she wanted to run. So she asked if I was planning to go running. I said that I wasn't--that I was going to take a rest day. She said, "Ah, that's too bad... I was thinking of running the trail today." I've never put my running cloths on so fast! Within minutes we were in the Jeep and headed to the Northshore Trail.

The Dad Life

If you are a dad, you gotta see this. No, it has nothing to do with running, but I couldn't resist posting it. Enjoy!