Starting a new training regimen can be both exciting and overwhelming. You may have a lot of enthusiasm to jump in and start pushing yourself to your limits, but before you do that, it’s important to establish a baseline run to track your performance.
What is a baseline run?
A baseline run is a starting point for tracking your progress in a particular type of training. It is typically a moderate intensity run or workout that you perform at the beginning of your training program to establish a benchmark for future performance.
Why is a baseline run important?
A baseline run is important for several reasons. First, it allows you to establish a starting point for tracking your progress. Without a baseline, you won’t know if you’re improving or not. Second, it can help you set realistic goals. By understanding your current fitness level, you can set achievable goals that will help you progress over time. Finally, a baseline run can help you identify any areas of weakness that you need to work on. By tracking your progress over time, you can see where you’re improving and where you still need to focus your efforts.
How to perform a baseline run?
Performing a baseline run is simple. First, choose a distance or time that you can comfortably run or workout for, based on your current fitness level. Then, run or workout at a moderate intensity, pushing yourself just enough to get a good workout but not so much that you can’t finish. Track your time, distance, and other metrics like heart rate, if possible.
Once you’ve completed your baseline run, record your results and use them as a starting point for your training program. As you progress, continue to track your results and compare them to your baseline. This will give you a clear picture of how far you’ve come and where you need to focus your efforts.
In conclusion, performing a baseline run is an important step in starting a new training program. It allows you to establish a starting point for tracking your progress, set realistic goals, and identify areas of weakness that you need to work on. By using your baseline as a starting point and tracking your progress over time, you can stay motivated and see real improvements in your fitness level.