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Logic. Foresight. Maturity. These are basic qualities I would like to focus on this challenge. In line with these qualities, I would like to be in bed every night before 10:30 pm on weekdays, and 11 pm on weekends. Good sleep is queen! Also, I would like with stick to the marathon training schedule, continue tracking food on MFP, and keep up with trail running every week.

Hey all! Mostly flat paved runner here looking to get a lot more into trail running. I have a pair of nice running shoes that have seen rain, snow, and shine, but on rough trail terrain they have been giving me some issues. So, I was wondering if you guys had a recommendation for trail running shoes. Also, apologies if this is not the right board. Wasn't sure which one would be the best fit for this topic.

After sleeping off the last one, it's time to get back to work. I will once again be at sea for the vast majority of the challenge, and certain dreaded pastimes simply cannot be avoided any more. I didn't do much running last time – successfully avoiding the treadmill entirely. As enjoyable as that may have been, I don't want to give my body any ideas. So to remind him who's his daddy, I've come up with this... Run 60 miles minimum, preferably not all at once. Use the treadmill, dammit! If I can do more, all the better. And yes, there will still be mountains. Push, Pull Push-ups - 720 total, same as last time. Pull-ups - 32 total, stepping it up. Stretch 10 back bending and stretching routines spread over the course of the challenge. Putting the back into "Back In Business." I've noticed doing yoga that posture and rounding my back is a problem for me. A few months ago, I found some video workouts that I think will help, but haven't done much with them yet. Now it's time. I'll be monitoring this one as I go, and if I don't think the videos are helping, I'll look for something else. Weights 29 points total. Sticking with the same routines, mostly using the ship's awesome adjustable dumbbells. 2 points for each complete workout, 1 point for a good-try effort, and 1 bonus point each time I manage to increase the weight for all exercises (I'm not bodybuilding here, so this doesn't really happen that often). ----- @Jormungand suggested last time that I put on some rockin tunes and get to it. This I can do. For fun, I searched my iTunes library for "back" and got around 175 hits. It pleases me to share a few... 1. On Your Way Down (feat. Allen Toussaint), Trombone Shorty, Backatown (2010)

Main Quest Train for a 99 mile trail race in August. News Year's Resolutions Keep Calm & Play Challenge Introduction I have been solidly strength training three times a week since November and plan to keep that up for this challenge. I also want to focus on keeping up my long runs so once the warm weather arrives I will have a good endurance base maintained. And I want to be calmer, and I find that being outside and running help the most with this. But the biggest thing I want to tackle is my diet. I have skirted being primal for a while and have done challenges being primal. I noticed last challenge my biggest diet failures always came at times of stress followed by eating crap followed by eating lots of crap. If I stick to primal, sure I might have a binge when stressed by the total derailment usually is avoided and only mitigated. And if I can do things to reduce stress (be outside and/or run), everything will be better. Goals (1) 95% primal +5 CON (2) a: Exercise 40 times (includes strength training and long runs) +2 DEX (2) b: At least strength training 17 times +2 STR (2) c: At least 4 long runs +2 STA (3) Spend time purposely outside 36 times +2 WIS +2 CHA Stats LVL: 20, STR: 30, DEX: 28.5, STA: 45.25, CON: 16, WIS: 16.25, CHA: 11.75

I'm looking to run the Ragnar Trail Cascades race in September. It's a total of 18 miles, broken into ~3, ~8, and ~7 mile loops in the Methow Valley. I've trained for long races before and am not worried about getting the training in to be in shape for the climbs and terrain. But I've never run a Ragnar! I know it's a long ways out, but are there any Ragnarians out there with tips/tricks/ideas?

So on July 19 I will be running the 0 SPF trail half marathon. It is put on by my local and favorite trail running group. I was so disappointed last year when it filled up when I was on the fence on signing up so this year I signed up for it on the first day. The most challenging aspect of this race is that in that short 13.1 miles is 4600 feet of elevation change (that is almost as much elevation change as the 50K I ran last November had in total). So I need to work on hills, specifically hill endurance, and longer trail runs. I think realistically I should be able to break three hours, so I want to make sure I get up to the running time throughout this challenge. I also have a 5k the weekend before, and will not do any specific training for it and just rely on my half marathon training. Main Quest For this challenge, focus on trail half marathon training. Overall, just improve my running. Goals 1) Average six hours total cardio a week Double my target long run, and should build a good base and help encourage desired long runs. +4 STA 2) At least two hill specific workout a week Need to work both on single long uphill endurance (a few really long hills) and rolling hill endurance (many hill repeats on shorter hills). +3 STR +2 DEX 3) Eat primally and have less than 800 deviant calories a week I have tried this before and it works sometimes just to track the deviant calories. Hopefully weigh less and easier to move up those hills. Grading based on 800 (A) and 2400 (F). +3 CON +1 WIS 4) Tidy up twice a day Certain rooms such as the workshop, playroom, storage room and garage don't stay tidy long, hopefully this will help with that. +2 CHA Stats LVL: 15, STR: 15, DEX: 19.5, STA: 27, CON: 8, WIS: 13.25, CHA: 8.25

Continuing to train for my upcoming 50K trail run (April 27th) This next six weeks, I will: * Continue to hit my weekly mileage goals, including a long run each week of 12-26 miles * Add a trail run to my weekly runs (even if there's crazy deep snow/ice) * Bring my dog out for the occasional short run (he can't keep a good pace for more than 3 miles but LOVES to run w me * Seriously engage in visualization this challenge and... run some amazing trails when I'm in Hawaii next month-- anyone have experience/advice trail running on Oahu???? --Inspired Fool

Greetings Fellow Rebels! I am New to the forums and this is my First Quest. My Main Quest is to: Prepare for my first Ultra-Marathon, a 50K (31 mile) trail race on April 27th. Missions to help me succeed at my Quest: 1. Add at least one trail run to my regular weekly running schedule 2. Ensure one long run (between 10-22 miles) every week 3. Practice strength training 1-3 times each week Additionally, my current Life Quest is to practice visualization and meditation at least 3 times each week in order to facilitate my personal growth and active creation of an ever-improving, passion-driven life. --Inspired Fool

Since I want to set myself up right for the new year, this challenge will center on my three new year's resolutions. Also, my son has a school fitness challenge to eat 100 fruits/veggies and 1000 active minutes for January. And during the fourth week of this challenge, my family will be going to Disney World! So I will make exceptions for this week and have a different set of loose goals for that week. 2014 New Year Resolutions 1) Grateful Jar: Every night my wife and I will write something we are grateful for and put in a jar. 2) Play More Games: My family will strive to play more games. 3) 21 minute 5k: Be competitive in local 5ks for my age group. Main Quest 21 minute 5k. Challenge Goals (Weeks 1,2,3,5,6) 1) Grateful Jar: Do this every day. 2) Play More Games: Play at least two games with each member of the family a week. 3) Be Faster: Sprint and strength train at least once a week. 4) Healthy Kids: Strive for 4 fruits/veggies for older sons and 40 minutes activity each day. Grading based on 100/1000 met for January. 5) Primal: Be 100% primal except for planned deviations (must be planned 24 hours in advance). Disney Loose Goals (Week 4) 1) Grateful Jar: Do this every day (just on paper, will not bring actual jar). 2) Run For Fun: Get in one exploratory run. 3) Mindful Eating: Don't over indulge and only eat things worth eating

Main Quest To become an ultra trail runner. Specifically, I am training to run a trail race on November 2 for 50k (31 miles) with an elevation change of 5000 feet. This trail may not have loops like Sonic's green hill zone, but it is just as challenging. Next challenge I hopefully get to advanced to act 2. Missions 1) Increase weekly running time I don't need Sonic's speed but I do want his ability to keep running and running. I need to increase my running to be able to run the ultra distance. So I will play it safe and increase my running time each week by 10%. A few weeks ago I had a week with 19.5 miles in 4:12. I am using time instead of distance since trail running should be measured by effort due to differences in trail difficulty. If I fail to meet the specified weekly goal time I will target the same weekly goal time for the following week. The weekly goal time targets are: 4:37, 5:04, 5:35, 6:08, 6:45, 7:26. A: 5 weeks B: 4 weeks C: 3 weeks D: 2 weeks F: 0 weeks STA +5 2) Do trail running assistance exercises Sonic may just run to get better, but I want to use assistance exercises to make my running better. I need to work on various assistance exercises to help my trail running. Prior to each week I will pick two exercises to work on for the week and the required effort to complete for the week. A: 6 weeks B: 5 weeks C: 3 weeks D: 2 weeks F: 0 weeks STR +1, DEX +2, WIS +2 3) Eat paleo + quality dairy primally Sonic likes chili cheese dogs, so I guess this theme doesn't quite work for this goal I want to lose weight to make it easier to move this body over long distances. Previously my weight loss diet was largely influenced by the Paleo diet. My binges were primarily influenced by processed "food". So I am going to switch to paleo full force. Since I knew this was a for sure goal I already switched on July 16 and have been doing great. I will allow quality dairy (which is I define as cheese that is not processed, butter, and milk) and will strive to not to have these too often. I will allow up to two exceptions a week for something my wife makes that is almost paleo (such as the other night she made stir fry and it was paleo except the sauce she used so I had a small helping of it). I also have a small bottle of wine I got from a trail race that I will allow. Edit: eat primally. I got most of my nutrition from Mark's Daily Apple and didn't fully know the paleo guidelines (such as lean meats, avoid saturated fats). A: 0 deviations B: 1 deviation C: 2-3 deviations D: 4-7 deviations F: 8 or more deviations CON +1, WIS +1, CHA +1 Life Quests 1) Be a better dad My boys can get crazy, especially with summer vacation in full swing. Be more active with them, have more patience, be a good role model, etc. Grade will be determined by wife (and she is a rough grader). CHA +1 2) Cleanup kitchen and put away clean laundry before bed I have a habit of letting the dishes and laundry and other housework not get done at night so I have to do it all in the morning. I will focus on making sure that the kitchen is cleaned by the end of the day and any clean laundry gets put away (only exception is kids laundry that is not dry an hour before the kid's bedtime). A: 40-42 days B: 37-39 days C: 34-36 days D: 31-33 days F: 0-30 days CON +1 Starting Stats LVL: 9, STR: 10, DEX: 11, STA: 15, CON: 3, WIS: 6, CHA: 5 These are pulled from a year ago before I stopped adding stat points during challenges. I did add in the successful challenges to my level over that year though (8 successful, 2 failures). I miscounted last challenge since I named it challenge #9 but it was really challenge #10. Motivational Quote Don't stop when you're tired. Stop when you're done. Week 0 So prior to the challenge starting, I have already started working on these goals. I have been recording my runs, working on pistol squats since I lost the ability to do them on my left side when I hurt my left hip in May, and eating paleo already. I plan to target 4:12 which is the time from the other week and I plan to run with some dumbbells since my arms get tired on long runs. None of this will count for the official challenge but it is great at forming the habits entering into week 1.

Hello, I'd like some help in choosing a GPS watch that's suited for trail runs and possibly for road cycling. But trails primarily because road cycling is easily mapped by hand in Endomondo. Trail runs (often off trails) - not so much. The budget cap is at 300$, but the lower the better. If there's something worthwhile to be had for ~200$ that'd be great since 300 may be over-stretching things a bit. I don't need a heart rate monitor, pacer, watch, calendars, TV programs... Water resistant if not waterproof, and I guess I won't need extreme battery life for quite some time. Thanks.

Here's a page with "information about running trails, trail races and local running communities in Croatia. When I say trail races, I mean: adventure runs, trail races and ultra trails, mountain races and trail marathons." If anyone interested is in or near Croatia or plans to visit, you can ask for anything you'd like to know, and even perhaps get a local guide/company. Facebook page and the home site that's still under construction, for the time being.

Here's a page with "information about running trails, trail races and local running communities in Croatia. When I say trail races, I mean: adventure runs, trail races and ultra trails, mountain races and trail marathons." If anyone interested is in or near Croatia or plans to visit, you can ask for anything you'd like to know, and even perhaps get a local guide/company. Facebook page and the home site that's still under construction, for the time being.