Posy

Yeah, I tried jumping rope again today, after taking a day off. I only last five minutes doing: 1 minute of just jumping without a rope, 1 minute of marching in place, 1 minute of jumping and moving my hands, 1 minute of marching, and one minute of actually jumping rope. My feet are still sore, but what really got me was how sore my abs were and I was experiencing a really intense and weird pain in my upper right shoulderish/chest area. I'm still going to keep working at it, though. And thanks, I am the worst at taking my own advice! I'm trying to stay positive and remind myself that I've done a lot more in the past six weeks than I would have had I not been doing this challenge - and preparing myself to keep working over the 1 week break so I don't completely undo all my hard work.

Your Eliminating the Impossible challenge is awesome! I cannot imagine doing that ever, so I'm pretty impressed.

I think it would be fair to give yourself the complete grade for the class - you didn't know ahead of time that it wasn't realistic to finish the whole thing in six weeks; so as long as you are honest with yourself about how much you should have been able to do, then definitely give yourself the credit you deserve!

Too lazy to reply to everyone individually, but I just wanted you guys to know that I've checked out all your challenges and you are doing amazing! You're all so creative and I'm truly impressed by what you have done so far!

Like two seconds before I saw that shirt I was complaining about how I had no money... yeah, that didn't last long haha.

Thanks!

Thanks! Yeah, I totally forgot to post the translation. Oops. The reading and writing are definitely easier than listening and speaking - which is why I never practice the latter, haha.

Submission for Dammit Moffat So, I totally didn't think I would get to this challenge. I've been super duper busy. I'm moving on Monday and everything is just chaotic. Anyway, I really wanted to complete something, even if small. I came up with some criteria for doing this challenge so I could better manage it: 1) I must use only the supplies on hand, which to be fair, is a lot, but I have a tendency to always "need" what I don't have. 2) It must be completed in a couple of hours (while I watch Merlin, Sherlock and Doctor Who, obviously). 3) Nothing purely artistic (not that I am actually artistic). Going along with number one, packing has made me realize how much "stuff" I have - and I really don't need anymore "art" for the apartment. So there must be some practical use. Well, it turned out today that we weren't going to be able to do much in the way of packing, so I had a bit of free time. After the main Nerd Fitness challenge began I started watching <i>Merlin</i> and last night my boyfriend and I gave <i>Sherlock</i> a go (all thanks to this amazing group!). I'm already a huge <i>Doctor Who</i> fan. Anyway, I finished both <i>Merlin</i> and <i>Sherlock</i> today. As for my craft, I couldn't think of anything useful to go in the apartment (I'm sure I'll come up with tons of stuff once we actually move), but then I remembered that my boyfriend and I are both going back to school this Fall. We are about to spend A LOT of money on books. So... why not make some fun bookmarks? My boyfriend really hates when I fold the pages down, so I thought this would amuse him as well. Quick and easy. These are based off ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), and I actually have a blank, pre-cut ATC as the foundation for each of them - except for the pink phone one. Here is the link to the album with more photos and explanations. It's not the best quality of photos - the colors are all off and you can't see the crazy textures going on with the paper, but you'll get the idea. I have to admit, that only once I came on here to write this up did I realize the original directions had three "prompts". I totally did not follow those at all. I wish I had! It probably would have been easier to come up with ideas. Pretty much all I did was look at the craft supplies I have and pick out random things I've never had the chance to use before haha.

Good job everyone! I never would have imagined making a team for my "strength" so that is pretty encouraging (and a little hilarious).

Mini-update: I'm trying to finish this week really strong, despite the poor eating habits over vacation last week. I probably will NOT do the three mile-long runs I had planned to make up my diet grade. I also do not want to do interval training this week. I just don't like it and I don't feel like it's doing anything for me. That being said, I have discovered something to replace it: Jump roping. MY GOSH. So when I was packing for vacation I randomly found a jump rope that I didn't know I had. Today I finally tried it out. It was intense. Overall I did about 15 minutes of jumping rope, but with a lot of breaks. It was annoying, because my boyfriend and I were switching off and he is a total natural at it (one of those people who is good at everything he tries). Anyway, it totally kicked my butt. Five minutes (remember, with breaks!) of that was more intense than when I ran a mile non-stop. I think my best was 40 jumps in a row. I really need to work on technique. I do that little hop between jumps that you aren't supposed to do, because I'm too scared to swing the rope faster. And I move my arms too much, and I think it's supposed to be more in the wrists. Anyway, I know jump roping is part of Jaimee's goals, and I have to say that I respect it so much more. I really didn't think it would be that hard, but it was! I totally want to add this to my routine now. I'm thinking I'll do 5 minutes as a warm-up and cool-down when I do my strength training. Then on other days, in place of interval training, I will try to do 15 minutes total (at least 5 minutes at a time). Besides that, I have to admit I am feeling a bit down about this challenge. I feel like I have been working super hard on it - not just on my own goals, but all the mini-challenges, group challenges, and pvp challenges. The only thing I've really done poorly at is my diet - specifically over vacation. I don't feel like I have anything to show for all the work, though. I literally gained like 5 pounds over vacation. I can get it back down, but not before the challenge ends. I didn't do measurements or pictures this week, because I can't bare to know the truth, but so far there hasn't been any physical changes besides my boobs getting smaller. I don't feel any more energetic or stronger. Still can't do a f*&(ing pushup. I also don't feel like my Danish has been getting any better. I didn't study for three days when I was on vacation and when I started back up yesterday it was like I had forgotten everything. So now I'm feeling overwhelmed. Like what's the point? Logically, I know doing all this stuff is better for me than not doing anything at all. Emotionally, though, it's hard to believe it.

Week 5 Recap: Monday (7/1): Studied for one hour. Interval training for 30 minutes. Stretches. 5 minute breathing space. Tuesday (7/2): Studied for one hour. Strength training with yoga and stretches. 5 minute breathing space. Wednesday (7/3): Studied for one hour. Yoga with stretches for 35 minutes. 5 minute breathing space. Thursday (7/4): 5 minute breathing space. Friday (7/5); 5 minute breathing space. Walking. Saturday (7/6): 5 minute breathing space Sunday (7/7): Studied for one hour. Yoga with stretches. 5 minute breathing space. Based on this, I am giving myself the following grades for the week: Strength/Interval training: A - Yoga/Stretching: C Diet: C Life: AIt was an intense week. I was basically on vacation the whole time. I anticipated not being able to get all my workouts and studying in. I did as much as I expected, and there is really nothing more I could have done. However, there is no reason for not having stretched every day (I could have easily found time to do it). Also, I knew I would not be eating as well, and I did make SOME effort to keep things reasonable, but I definitely could have done better. I really want to finish strong this week. So I'm going to try to do strength training on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Then I'm going to try to do 1 mile runs on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, which is to make up for the F I got for my diet a couple of weeks ago. I am moving in exactly one week and I have a TON of stuff to do to prepare, but I also don't have to work this week, so that should help. Now I need to go get caught up with what everyone else has been doing!

Week 5 Recap: Monday (7/1): Studied for one hour. Interval training for 30 minutes. Stretches. 5 minute breathing space. Tuesday (7/2): Studied for one hour. Strength training with yoga and stretches. 5 minute breathing space. Wednesday (7/3): Studied for one hour. Yoga with stretches for 35 minutes. 5 minute breathing space. Thursday (7/4): 5 minute breathing space. Friday (7/5); 5 minute breathing space. Walking. Saturday (7/6): 5 minute breathing space Sunday (7/7): Studied for one hour. Yoga with stretches. 5 minute breathing space. Based on this, I am giving myself the following grades for the week: Strength/Interval training: A - Yoga/Stretching: C Diet: C Life: AIt was an intense week. I was basically on vacation the whole time. I anticipated not being able to get all my workouts and studying in. I did as much as I expected, and there is really nothing more I could have done. However, there is no reason for not having stretched every day (I could have easily found time to do it). Also, I knew I would not be eating as well, and I did make SOME effort to keep things reasonable, but I definitely could have done better. I really want to finish strong this week. So I'm going to try to do strength training on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Then I'm going to try to do 1 mile runs on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, which is to make up for the F I got for my diet a couple of weeks ago. I am moving in exactly one week and I have a TON of stuff to do to prepare, but I also don't have to work this week, so that should help. Now I need to go get caught up with what everyone else has been doing!

I'll definitely be doing the recovery part of this, which will be easy, because I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow. However, I'll have to pass on the recipe. Unless I can count the Doctor Who themed one I submitted 4 days ago to my group for our own recipe challenge (it's paleo, and the second half, the fruit salad, includes 3 fresh ingredients). Otherwise, I'll be gone all week without Internet access! So good luck to everyone else!

I got home a whole day earlier than expected, so I'm totally going to take this opportunity to post this now - since it's highly likely I will not have Internet access for the rest of the week after tomorrow. My submission for Eliminating the Impossible (week 3): 3) Make a video blog of myself speaking in Danish. I have been teaching myself Danish for almost 17 weeks now. However, it has been really basic stuff. I tried working on pronunciation a little bit towards the beginning, but otherwise I have been almost exclusively practicing writing and reading. Listening also needs work, but that will come eventually. The really daunting thing for me is to actually try to speak the language. So I'm going to use this opportunity to force myself to really put myself out there and give it a go. It'll be completely embarrassing and awful, but I have to start somewhere! (WIS/CHA) Here is the link to the post (which has the link to the video).

I got home a whole day earlier than expected, so I'm totally going to take this opportunity to post this now - since it's highly likely I will not have Internet access for the rest of the week after tomorrow (and I will be way too busy tomorrow to do anything). Here is the link to my Eliminating the Impossible (week 3) challenge.

Submission for Eliminating the Impossible: Week 3 I got home a whole day earlier than expected, so I'm totally going to take this opportunity to post this now - since it's highly likely I will not have Internet access for the rest of the week after tomorrow (and I will be way too busy tomorrow to do anything). Original goal description: 3) Make a video blog of myself speaking in Danish. I have been teaching myself Danish for almost 17 weeks now. However, it has been really basic stuff. I tried working on pronunciation a little bit towards the beginning, but otherwise I have been almost exclusively practicing writing and reading. Listening also needs work, but that will come eventually. The really daunting thing for me is to actually try to speak the language. So I'm going to use this opportunity to force myself to really put myself out there and give it a go. It'll be completely embarrassing and awful, but I have to start somewhere! (WIS/CHA) Here is the video. *cringe*

Week 4 Recap: Monday (6/24): 12 minutes of Loving Kindness meditation Tuesday (6/25): 5 minute breathing space Wednesday (6/26): 6 minutes of Loving Kindness meditation Thursday (6/27): 5 minute breathing space Friday (6/28); 5 minutes of Loving Kindness meditation Saturday (6/29): 5 minutes of Loving Kindness meditation Sunday (6/30): 6 minutes of Loving Kindness meditation Obviously, I decided to focus on Loving Kindness meditation this past week! For this coming week, I would like to do more Progressive Muscle Relaxation. However, I'm going to be traveling all week and will have little to no Internet access - so I won't be able to update the spreadsheet probably until next Monday.

Week 4 Recap: Monday (6/24): Studied for one hour. Strength training for 43 minutes. Stretches for 12 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 12 minutes. Tuesday (6/25): Studied for one hour. Interval training with challenge exercises and stretches for 45 minutes. 5 minute breathing space. Wednesday (6/26): Studied for one hour. Strength training with challenge exercises 52 minutes. Stretches for 16 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 6 minutes. Thursday (6/27): Studied for two hours. Yoga with stretches and challenge exercises for 33 minutes. 5 minute breathing space. Friday (6/28); Studied for one hour. Strength training/Interval training with challenge exercises for 56 minutes. Yoga for 11 minutes; Stretches for 15 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 5 minutes. Saturday (6/29): Studied for one hour. Yoga with stretches and challenge exercises for 35 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 5 minutes. Sunday (6/30): Studied for one hour. Challenge exercises with stretches. Loving kindness meditation for 6 minutes. I've been working out like crazy this week due to mini challenge #4. My diet hasn't fared as well. I didn't binge, but I did have some treats. A small amount of macaroni and cheese and a good amount of ice cream on Tuesday evening. Then yesterday I had a plain grilled chicken sandwich and a small Coke Zero from Chick-Fil-A, because I was stranded at the mall (my car broke down). Also, I focused on loving kindness meditation this week and finished the 5 session I required of myself to earn back my grade for my diet last week. I still need to go running three more times, though. Based on this, I am giving myself the following grades for the week: Strength/Interval training: A Yoga/Stretching: A Diet: B - Life: AIt has been a hectic week. My last day of work was on Friday! This week is going to be a lot crazier, though. I'm leaving this evening for a short trip and will hopefully be back not too late on Tuesday. Then very early Wednesday morning I am driving 12 hours to visit a friend and might be back late Sunday night. So basically I will be on vacation all week. I'm REALLY bad with diet in these situations. So I'm focusing on preparing myself. I'm going to bring a couple things of my own to eat, but I don't have many options. Otherwise, I know I'm going to have to go out to eat. I'm not going to count these as "treats" for this week. Instead, I'm just going to try to be reasonable with my choices. As long as I don't go out of my way to binge or make unhealthy choices when there are perfectly healthy ones available to me then I will call this week a success. Also, I have no idea how the workouts or studying will go, but I will try my best to get everything in. I won't have internet access much of this week, so I won't be able to update or check in with you guys. I might have a short period on Tuesday and will try to upload my Eliminating the Impossible challenge then. Finally, here are the links to the challenges I submitted this week to CKitT's thread: The Minstrel's Cycle (workout playlists) Eliminating the Impossible: Week 2 (picky-eating) Planet Shock (Doctor Who recipe) I hope everyone is doing well on their challenges. I haven't had any time at all to really keep up with everyone and check out all of the submissions for CKitT's challenges. I promise I will, though!

Week 4 Recap: Monday (6/24): Studied for one hour. Strength training for 43 minutes. Stretches for 12 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 12 minutes. Tuesday (6/25): Studied for one hour. Interval training with challenge exercises and stretches for 45 minutes. 5 minute breathing space. Wednesday (6/26): Studied for one hour. Strength training with challenge exercises 52 minutes. Stretches for 16 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 6 minutes. Thursday (6/27): Studied for two hours. Yoga with stretches and challenge exercises for 33 minutes. 5 minute breathing space. Friday (6/28); Studied for one hour. Strength training/Interval training with challenge exercises for 56 minutes. Yoga for 11 minutes; Stretches for 15 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 5 minutes. Saturday (6/29): Studied for one hour. Yoga with stretches and challenge exercises for 35 minutes. Loving kindness meditation for 5 minutes. Sunday (6/30): Studied for one hour. Challenge exercises with stretches. Loving kindness meditation for 6 minutes. I've been working out like crazy this week due to mini challenge #4. My diet hasn't fared as well. I didn't binge, but I did have some treats. A small amount of macaroni and cheese and a good amount of ice cream on Tuesday evening. Then yesterday I had a plain grilled chicken sandwich and a small Coke Zero from Chick-Fil-A, because I was stranded at the mall (my car broke down). Also, I focused on loving kindness meditation this week and finished the 5 session I required of myself to earn back my grade for my diet last week. I still need to go running three more times, though. Based on this, I am giving myself the following grades for the week: Strength/Interval training: A Yoga/Stretching: A Diet: B - Life: AIt has been a hectic week. My last day of work was on Friday! This week is going to be a lot crazier, though. I'm leaving this evening for a short trip and will hopefully be back not too late on Tuesday. Then very early Wednesday morning I am driving 12 hours to visit a friend and might be back late Sunday night. So basically I will be on vacation all week. I'm REALLY bad with diet in these situations. So I'm focusing on preparing myself. I'm going to bring a couple things of my own to eat, but I don't have many options. Otherwise, I know I'm going to have to go out to eat. I'm not going to count these as "treats" for this week. Instead, I'm just going to try to be reasonable with my choices. As long as I don't go out of my way to binge or make unhealthy choices when there are perfectly healthy ones available to me then I will call this week a success. Also, I have no idea how the workouts or studying will go, but I will try my best to get everything in. I won't have internet access much of this week, so I won't be able to update or check in with you guys. I might have a short period on Tuesday and will try to upload my Eliminating the Impossible challenge then. Finally, here are the links to the challenges I submitted this week to CKitT's thread: The Minstrel's Cycle (workout playlists) Eliminating the Impossible: Week 2 (picky-eating) Planet Shock (Doctor Who recipe) I hope everyone is doing well on their challenges. I haven't had any time at all to really keep up with everyone and check out all of the submissions for CKitT's challenges. I promise I will, though!

Added my final totals for all workouts. I would definitely say this challenge was a success. I've been working out like a mad woman this past week. The single leg balance exercises will become part of my routine in the future, because I found out that I definitely need to work on that more. However, I don't think I'll be doing so many push-ups and squats every day going forward!

Submission for Planet Shock This Doctor Who inspired "recipe" is for those who, like me, cannot cook to save their lives. It's absurdly easy and simple. Sontaran Fish Fingers Ingredients: 2 4-oz portions of wild salmon1 TBS hulled hemp seedsGinger (because the Doctor has never been one)Salt & pepperCanola oil1 sweet potato Instructions: For the fish fingers: If using frozen salmon, thaw it, first. Then cut each portion straight down the middle into two "fingers". Season the salmon with ginger, salt, and pepper. Cover in hemp seeds. Use a non-stick pan and coat with a small amount of canola oil. Gently sear the salmon pieces on both sides and remove. Place on a baking sheet. 1Pro-tip: The hemp seeds will not stick evenly to the salmon (check out the saddest photo ever). Almond flour is a good alternative if you want to keep the recipe paleo. If you don't mind wheat, simply bread them normally, using an egg and flour mixture to adhere the breadcrumbs. For the Sontaran heads: Bake the potato using your preferred method. I simply pop my mine in the microwave and hit the potato button! When done, cut the potato in half, and there you go. Easy peasy!Pro-tip: Some paleo dieters prefer to limit potatoes or forego them all together. For a "complete" meal, simply replace the potato with your vegetables of choice. Nutritional information. Goblin Market Fruit Salad (nutritional information) Each of the ingredients are inspired by scenes from Doctor Who (I tried to stick to new Who). The name of the fruit salad is drawn from the poem partially quoted in Midnight: "We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry thirsty roots?" Ingredients: 1/2 medium bananaGood source of potassium! The Doctor Dances1 medium satsuma; about 70gNo second chances. That's the sort of man the Doctor is. The Christmas Invasion1/2 cup red seedless grapesA throwback to Barbara, Ian, and Jo. The Velvet Web; The roman; Day of the Daleks1 cup strawberries; halved or quarteredAlas, time is not made of strawberries. The Rings of Akhaten100g blackberries; about 1 cupRory totally used one of these to take pictures of Prisoner Zero, right? The Eleventh Hour2 6" celery stalksBrave choice, celery. But fair play to you, not a lot of men can carry off a decorative vegetable. Time Crash1/8 cup walnutsPerfect for battling the effects of cyanide. The Unicorn and the Wasp Instructions: MIX THAT S&%$ TOGETHER IN A BOWL Pro-tip: This is a BIG fruit salad. It is easily enough for an entire meal, or cut in half if you'd like a starter dish or snack. Nutritional information I can not possibly fathom why someone would need a recipe card for this, but in the spirit of the challenge here is one for the Sontaran Fish Fingers and one for the Goblin Market Fruit Salad.

Submission for Planet Shock This Doctor Who inspired "recipe" is for those who, like me, cannot cook to save their lives. It's absurdly easy and simple. Sontaran Fish Fingers Ingredients: 2 4-oz portions of wild salmon1 TBS hulled hemp seedsGinger (because the Doctor has never been one)Salt & pepperCanola oil1 sweet potato Instructions: For the fish fingers: If using frozen salmon, thaw it, first. Then cut each portion straight down the middle into two "fingers". Season the salmon with ginger, salt, and pepper. Cover in hemp seeds. Use a non-stick pan and coat with a small amount of canola oil. Gently sear the salmon pieces on both sides and remove. Place on a baking sheet. 1Pro-tip: The hemp seeds will not stick evenly to the salmon (check out the saddest photo ever). Almond flour is a good alternative if you want to keep the recipe paleo. If you don't mind wheat, simply bread them normally, using an egg and flour mixture to adhere the breadcrumbs. For the Sontaran heads: Bake the potato using your preferred method. I simply pop my mine in the microwave and hit the potato button! When done, cut the potato in half, and there you go. Easy peasy!Pro-tip: Some paleo dieters prefer to limit potatoes or forego them all together. For a "complete" meal, simply replace the potato with your vegetables of choice. Nutritional information. Goblin Market Fruit Salad (nutritional information) Each of the ingredients are inspired by scenes from Doctor Who (I tried to stick to new Who). The name of the fruit salad is drawn from the poem partially quoted in Midnight: "We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry thirsty roots?" Ingredients: 1/2 medium bananaGood source of potassium! The Doctor Dances1 medium satsuma; about 70gNo second chances. That's the sort of man the Doctor is. The Christmas Invasion1/2 cup red seedless grapesA throwback to Barbara, Ian, and Jo. The Velvet Web; The roman; Day of the Daleks1 cup strawberries; halved or quarteredAlas, time is not made of strawberries. The Rings of Akhaten100g blackberries; about 1 cupRory totally used one of these to take pictures of Prisoner Zero, right? The Eleventh Hour2 6" celery stalksBrave choice, celery. But fair play to you, not a lot of men can carry off a decorative vegetable. Time Crash1/8 cup walnutsPerfect for battling the effects of cyanide. The Unicorn and the Wasp Instructions: MIX THAT S&%$ TOGETHER IN A BOWL Pro-tip: This is a BIG fruit salad. It is easily enough for an entire meal, or cut in half if you'd like a starter dish or snack. Nutritional information I can not possibly fathom why someone would need a recipe card for this, but in the spirit of the challenge here is one for the Sontaran Fish Fingers and one for the Goblin Market Fruit Salad.

Submission for Eliminating the Impossible: Week 2 This week I decided to work on my picky-eating challenge. My goal was to try three new foods. I realize to most people that might not sound particularly daunting, but ask any picky eater and they'll understand what I'm trying to do. For this challenge I decided I would try vegetables, because the ones I like (peas, corn, potatoes) are not the "healthiest" of choices and I would like to someday be able to replace them. So I settled on cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Here is how much I attempted to eat. And how much I actually ate: all of the broccoli, 2/3 Brussels sprouts, and about half of the cauliflower. My thoughts? GROSS! I did not like any of them, naturally. The broccoli was the most palatable. I think in a pinch I could eat it. The Brussels sprouts were bearable only because I downed them as quickly as possible. The texture of the cauliflower was just awful. I had to use a lot of potassium "salt", paprika, and garlic to even finish this challenge! Also, in addition to these three foods I tried blackberries, hulled hemp seeds, and walnuts - all of which are part of my Planet Shock recipe (that I will post eventually). I've accidentally eaten walnuts before in foods, and I hated them, but I thought I would give a proper walnut a try. Anyway, they were still terrible. At least the blackberries weren't so bad! Oh, and I had bad stomachache all day after this little experiment. Anyway, as much as I seem to be complaining, I'm glad I did this. It's been awhile since I've stepped outside my comfort zone and forced myself to try something new. So it's totally worth it, even if I didn't find anything new to love!

*This is old, but I wanted to have a record of it in my original thread* Submission for Eliminating the Impossible: Week 1 Note: I do not have a separate page to post my submissions to, so they will all be in this thread. However, I will try to link to photos when possible, instead of including them in my posts. So click the links! My "impossible" challenge for this week was to run 1 mile, non-stop. I am not runner. In fact, the last time I ran a mile I was 15 years old (I'm now 24), and I can't even remember going outside to run at all in years. So this was very much a "give something you absolutely loathe a chance, and just see what happens" challenge. Well, today I did it! Last night I mapped out my route, did laundry, and took a shower. What I really wanted to do was stay up all night watching Doctor Who, but THE DOCTOR KEPT TELLING ME TO RUN! So I finally gave in, prepared myself, and went to sleep. I didn't set an alarm clock for this morning, and was secretly hoping I would over sleep. Instead, my body naturally woke up at 0530 (I work very early mornings). I had a small snack (Greek yogurt with frozen blueberries), put my hair up, got dressed (in my totally not-running-appropriate attire), stuck my cellphone in my bra (bad idea, btw), and filled up an old plastic bottle with water (I don't use plastic bottles, but I decided to make an exception this once so that I didn't have to lug a heavy glass bottle around). I was out the door by 0600. The weather was gorgeous. 72°F (22.22°C). It was just early enough that there weren't a ton of people out driving to work or kids waiting for the school bus, but still bright enough to feel safe. It took me about 5-6 minutes to walk to my 'starting point' (.4 miles away). I literally started having a panic attack on my way. So I just pretended that the elevated heart rate and anxiety were due to being chased by a group of Raxacoricofallapatorian. I guess I subconsciously chose them as my foes, because they are probably in as bad of shape as I am. I wanted a challenge, but a chance! So how did I do? 11:45 Here is my "documentation". Yes, I turned the watch upside down (and actually switched wrists) so you could read it in the photo, and yes, that shirt is exactly what you think it is. A totally abysmal time (for only one mile), but time was not the point of this challenge (why do I feel like the Doctor would be offended by that?). So I certainly achieved my goal. That being said... I NEVER WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN. It certainly made me sweat more than I have in a long time, and it feels good to have pushed myself to try something that I was so afraid of/negative towards. There is no way I would have done this if it weren't for this mini-challenge, so I am very grateful for that. However, I don't see myself getting into running anytime soon.

Submission for The Minstrel's Cycle I've been working on this a little bit every day since the challenge was posted, and it has taken absurdly long! Besides listening to all of the music and narrowing it down I had to edit and format every single song. I also put in several sound clips. Anyway, there are three playlists: a "pump-it up"/strength training workout playlist, a running playlist, and a yoga/meditative playlist. The running playlist has the most sound clips and is my personal favorite. To listen to the playlists simply click on the title (links) of each one, which will take you to Box.com. From there, you can play the music directly from the website or you can also choose to download the playlists and save them to your computer or media device (they are in MP3 format). All songs are condensed into one track, and I tried to keep each playlist around 1 hour long. It's a bit inconvenient, because you can't easily skip between songs, but it was the most practical way to do it. Here is a complete list of songs in each playlist, including the season and episode(s) the song was featured in. The quotes give you an idea of the "story" for each playlist. 1) Sycorax Strong! Sycorax Mighty! DOCTOR: Welcome to the end of the World. Doctor Who Theme: Special remix for albumI Am the Doctor: Season 5 ("The Eleventh Hour")Unit: Season 1 ("The Christmas Invasion")Yana: Season 3 ("Utopia")The March of the Cybermen: The Specials ("The Next Doctor")Words Win Wars: Season 5 ("The Pandorica Opens", "The Big Bang")The Carrionites Swarm: Season 3 ("The Shakespeare Code")Tooth and Claw (Track 20): Season 2 ("Tooth and Claw")A Pressing Need to Save the World: Season 4 ("The Stolen Earth")Apollo 11: Season 6 ("The Impossible Astronaut", "Day of the Moon")Evolution of the Daleks: Season 3 ("Daleks in Manhattan", "Evolution of the Daleks")Hanging on the Tablaphona: Season 4 ("The Stolen Earth", "Journey's End")Smith's Choice: Season 3 ("Human Nature")Victory of the Daleks: Season 5 ("Victory of the Daleks")The Master Vainglorious: Season 3 ("Utopia", "The Sound of Drums", "Last of the Time Lords")Onwards!: Season 5 ("The Pandorica Opens", "The Big Bang")Run, Sexy: Season 6 ("The Doctor's Wife")The Daleks: Season 1 ("Bad Wolf" )This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home: Season 3 ("Utopia", "The Sound of Drums", "Last of the Time Lords")The Time of the Angels: Season 5 ("The Time of Angels", "Flesh and Stone")Song of Freedom: Season 4 ("The Stolen Earth", "Journey's End")The Sad Man With A Box: Season 5 ("The Pandorica Opens", "The Big Bang")The Clouds Pass: The Specials ("The End of Time") 2) Allons-y! STRAX: Sir, permission to express my opposition to your current apathy? DOCTOR: Permission granted. STRAX: Sir, I am opposed to your current apathy. The Sun's Gone Wibbly: Season 5 ("The Eleventh Hour")I Am The Doctor: Season 5 ("The Eleventh Hour")Slitheen: Season 1 & 2 ("Aliens of London", "World War Three", "Boom Town", "Love & Monsters") Unit: Season 1 ("The Christmas Invasion")Come Along Pond: Season 5 ("A Christmas Carol")Song for Ten: Season 1 ("The Christmas Invasion")Doctor Who Theme: Special remix for albumAll the Strange, Strange Creatures: Season 3 ("Gridlock", "Daleks in Manhatten", "42", "The Sound of Drums")Onwards!: Season 5 ("The Pandorica Opens", "The Big Bang")The Futurekind: Season 3 ("Utopia")The Runaway Bride: Season 2 ("The Runaway Bride")The New Doctor: Season 4 ("The Next Doctor")My Angel Put the Devil in Me (extended version): Season 3 ("Daleks in Manhatten")The Master Tape: Season 3 ("The Sound of Drums", "Last of the Time Lords")Yana: Season 3 ("Utopia")Unit Rocks: Season 4 ("The Sontaran Stratagem", "The Poison Sky")Love Don't Roam: Season 2 ("The Runaway Bride")Down to Earth: Season 5 ("The Eleventh Hour")Pop!: Season 6 ("A Good Man Goes to War")Doomsday: Season 1 ("Doomsday")This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home: Season 3 ("Utopia", "The Sound of Drums", "Last of the Time Lords"A Dazzling End: Season 4 ("Turn Left") 3) The Man of Peace RIVER: Demons run when a good man goes to war. Night will fall and drown the sun when a good man goes to war. Friendship dies and true love lies. Night will fall and the dark will rise when a good man goes to war. Tick Tock (Vocal Track): Season 6 ("The Wedding of River Song")The Doctor's Theme: Season 1 ("Rose", "The End of the World", "Boom Town", "Bad Wolf", "The Parting of the Ways")Blink: Season 3 ("Blink (Suite)")Boe: Season 3 ("Gridlock", "Last of the Time Lords")Altering Lives: The Specials ("The Waters of Mars")Cassandra'a Waltz: Season 1 and 2 ("The End of the World", "New Earth")Deadly Siren: Season 6 ("The Curse of the Black Spot")The Impossible Planet: Season 2 ("The Impossible Planet", "The Satan Pit", "Doomsday")The Sybilline Sisterhood: Season 4 ("The Fires of Pompeii")River's Waltz: Season 6 ("A Good Man Goes to War")With Love, Vincent: Season 5 ("Vincent and the Doctor:)Can I Come With You: Season 5 ("The Eleventh Hour")Madame De Pompadour: Season 2 ("The Girl in the Fireplace)Martha's Theme: Season 3 ("Smith and Jones")The Face of Boe: Season 2 ("New Earth")Abigail's Song (Silence is All You Know): Season 5 ("A Christmas Carol")Miss Joan Redfern: Season 3 ("The Family of Blood"36 Years: Season 5 ("The Girl Who Waited")A Lot of Life Behind Us: The Specials ("The End of Time")Abide with Me: Season 3 ("Gridlock")Turn Left: Season 4 ("Turn Left")Amy's Theme: Season 5 ("The Beast Below")Vale: The Specials ("The Waters of Mars")Songs of Captivity and Freedom: Season 4 ("Planet of the Ood")We Shall Fare Well: The Specials ("The End of Time") I think I met all the "bonus" criteria for the challenge. It took awhile, but now I have awesome music to listen to while I work out. So totally worth it. I hope you enjoy!