Raidho

Update: Ow. I'm so sore.

Today I finished my very first Spartan Race! It was a sprint. My time was 1 hour 10 minutes and I got my butt handed to me.  Lol. 

I have to say though it was a ton of fun and it means the world to me that I was able to finish.  I've been interested in OCR events for a while, but never thought I'd belong....until NF. So yeah... awesome.

Now to train for the next one!

Update: "Well hell" 

I have accomplished 0 things over the past 2 days.

Well, that's not entirely true. Climbing 8 floors of stairs and Yoga has been going strong. My down dog has gotten better (this pose has been a struggle for me) and I have read. I walked all over the city yesterday looking at new places to live. I also started taking carefully portioned meals to work with me as well as logging my food! 

However, yesterday I also had 3 beers and like.... half a loaf of banana bread, which is like.... a cup of sugar. Oi. Bad Rai was bad again. But today is a new day. Back to working out, tracking and eating well. 

OK, now that I've gone back and put down what exactly I've been doing, I can talk about how I'm doing with my goals. 

As you can see in the previous post, I've been hitting my workouts really hard. My partner has been a huge HUGE support in pushing me to do my best. I dunno what I'd do without him. 

As for reading.... I've kinda been light on that. I've read for maybe 30 minutes, but that's not quite what I'm aiming for. Hopefully I'll make up for it by reading some extra in the next 2 days. 

Yoga is going well. It's becoming a habit. I look forward to it now (especially with how hard I've been attacking those workouts.... stretching feels soooo good). My form still is kind of blah, but there's consciousness with it. The same goes for my breathing (BREATHE RAIDHO!!!! BREEAAAATHE) which is good because.... passing out during yoga isn't good for the whole bad-ass adventurer look. 

Lastly, I've been talking with a few friends about the struggle of my work schedule and its impacts on my diet. I think I have an idea. I'm going to have to do A TON of prep and packaging and get creative with small snacks (my state doesn't require meal breaks *cries*), but I think I can do it. I know diet isn't in my goals for the challenge, but I can't outrun my diet. 

So yeah, that's it for now. I'm loving it. For the first time I feel like I belong in the fitness world. I don't have a debilitating case of imposter syndrome in the gym. I had an awesome mental breakthrough that I really want to put out there, but it's 02:36 and I'm wayyyy to tired to eloquently word all the thoughts. Plus I think it might do better in a different thread as it might help or inspire people or what have you. I just need to find the right thread. 

I realized that I haven't been posting what my workout is. I know that it's not necessary, but I like the idea of logging it here. I'll use that spoiler/hidden content thingy to make the post shorter. 

Day 1 - 7/27

Day 2 - 7/28 

Rest

Day 3 - 7/29

Rest 

Day 4 - 7/30

Day 5 - 7/31 

Day 6 - 8/1 

Rest

10 hours ago, Jack Danger said:

And the challenge helps keep me organized and focused, which I desperately need because of all the other crazy stuff going on in my life. I'm looking for an apartment with my best friend. I'm going back to school this fall for the first time in 3 years. I'm in the process of getting a job as a substitute teacher. Basically, the structure (and support!) that the challenge gives me helps as I slowly sort my life out.

Awesome to hear! It's great to have something like a challenge to help keep some routine/focus. Also, I'm interested to see how your move goes/affects your routine as I too have to move in a few weeks. Also, subbing is crazy fun, but literally one of the most exhausting things I've done. So keep strong! You can crush it dude!

"The Liar" - Stephen Fry, "Watchmen" - Alan Moore, & "LUYL" -That One Steve Guy. 
 

I'm bad at reading a book at a time, I need variety. Lol. 

I'm going to be going to my first OCR on 9/24 at the Spartan Sprint at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. 

Three cats raced across a lake.

The first cat, from England, was named One, Two, Three.

The second cat , from France, was named Un Duex Trois

The third cat, from Germany, was named Einz Zwei Drei. 

All three cats took off to swim across the lake, but only the English & German cats came ashore on the other side. 

Why? 

Because Un Deux Trois Quatre Cinq *Rimshot*

Hello people! 

I feel sorta bad, as I don't really have any reason for posting other than to say hi. However, I was excited to see this topic on the forums. I've been looking to be more engaged around here and, honestly, being the gay guy in a room/world full of usually testosterone laden straight guys can be intimidating (I'm speaking towards experiences in life. Everyone in NF has been lovely). It's nice to have a chance to connect with other LGBTQ people that are either in the fitness world or trying to be. I'm guessing that someone else has felt that same sort of feeling. 

So....uh.... yeah, hello! 

Just now, deftona said:

Well done on all the workout successes and it doesn't matter so much the walks have taken a slip since you and your boyfriend have been working out together anyway. You're doing great Rai!

Thanks! Granted.... it would all be a lot easier if I weren't having to work out/get home at 2 or 3 in the morning.... which it is now. I haven't even had dinner! My work does not lend itself to living healthily. Haha. 

Today's update is: "Ow" 

So yesterday I completed my first full circuit workout. Man that things has left me sore in places I didn't know could be sore (curse you bear crawl holds)!  It was intense and outside so it was hot and muggy, but I prefer working out outside. Plus I figured training in the summer heat was better for gearing up for my first OCR. 

Yoga is going well. On advice from a friend, I've started recording myself on my phone so that I can watch my form better. Apparently my yoga form is atrocious (then again in general my form is a weakness). So I'm focusing now on getting that down. 

I haven't gotten to walk with the dog and the boyfriend due to scheduling insanity, but I have been working out with the boyfriend, so I'll go ahead and check that as a success. Lastly, for my reading, I'm starting to re-read Watchmen. It's been 10 years since I've read that book and face it, high school Raidho had way less life experience at the time and most of the book probably flew over his head. 

I'm getting there. Step by step. I'm honestly flabbergasted at how motivating keeping a thread about my progress is. It's weirdly addicting. I think I might buy a notebook to keep as a fitness journal as well.

The Bad News:
 

So, my seminar/luncheon thing with my boss's boss went well. I enjoyed myself. I think I made a good impression. However, I got home at 2am (having not eaten dinner) and, in order to make the class on time, I had to get up at 7am so I could leave on time. So yesterday I was running on about 4 hours of sleep. By the time I had gotten home at 8, I was so tired that I made the call that it would be unsafe for me to try to do anything strenuous. 

So no progress on the workouts.

The Good News: 

Yoga/stretching is going well. It's encouraging to already see some small changes in my flexibility. I haven't missed that yet! I also finished my first book! I know that my biggest focus is getting stronger and faster for the Spartan Race, but I'm proud of the small victories. I'm seeing a change in the way I feel and my general outlook. I'm much happier. 

Also, fuck yeah for 2 updates. New record! Lol. 

And that's a start, right? As long as I keep pushing the envelope, it's laying down the strong foundation for the grand life changes, right? 

All the freaking time

13 hours ago, deftona said:

 

Woah, this is some next level motivation to get out there at that time of night after the day you'd had - well done this is excellent. 

 

 

Good luck!  

Yeah.... that's the downside to running a movie theatre. You end up having to work out at strange times.

It's vaguely problematic with getting decent rest as well (ie. Last night I got home at 2am and had to be up at 7am) 

Day 1 is complete! 

Woke up, had a really good yoga session. I can already notice slight differences in my flexibility (I'm on day 5 of a 30 day yoga thing). Which is nice. Stiffness has been a challenge for me. 
 

Work was brutal. There were some insanely severe storms that knocked out power in the area.... except for my movie theatre. So where did everyone go when all the resaturants and shopping places closed down? You guessed it. I didn't get out of work till 1:45am. 

After getting home at 2:15am, I was so worn (and starving. I hadn't eaten in 10 hours) and it was so tempting to just plop down on the couch and eat dinner. Instead I laced on my workout shoes, grabbed my partner and my dog and went on a 30 minute jog (10 minutes warming up with a brisk walk, 20 minutes of jogging). Sooooo sweaty, but good. Did some stretches and finally food and then bed. 

Now I'm off to do my yoga for today. 
 

Also, I'm meeting with my boss's  boss today and tomorrow I have a luncheon seminar with said uber boss and the VP of operations for my company, So wish me all the luck.  

Ok, so I'm a week late on jumping into the challenge. My last challenge blew up in my face, well not so much blew up as underwhelmingly fizzled out. 

So, on some good advice from a certain ambassador, I'm trying this again and this time there will be updates even if the update is "oh crap... nothing wa accomplished today". Working on sticking to accountability will be a thing for me in this challenge. 

Since I'm late i'll make this simple. I'm focusing on pretty standard things for right now. 

GOAL ONE

Yoga every morning & stretches every night

GOAL TWO

Successfully follow the Couch to Sprint training plan from Spartan everyday

GOAL THREE

Read for at least one hour everyday 

GOAL FOUR

Go one a 10-15 minute walk with my boyfriend and the dog 3 or 4 times a week

Bonus

Meditate for 10-15 minutes everyday 

I have a spartan race coming up on September 24^th, which means it's time to kick myself into gear and push. I'm focusing on making the hard choices: Walk up the 8 floors to my apartment, choose water of soda, do the things that push the boundaries and challenge me to live more and live better. 

I'm the king of unfinished health/workout goals. Life gets hectic,  I have a bad week, something happens and I'm off the wagon. 

This time I'm back for good though.... and I started off by jumping off a cliff. Literally. 

OK, so it wasn't a HUGE cliff, it was like.... a 15-20 foot drop. But still, it was freaking terrifying. And that's what's been my motivation. Doing things I'm scarred of. 

This includes sucking it up and signing up for something I've always wanted to do, but always backed out of... a Spartan Race. Now, to be clear, it's a Spartan Sprint, not a full length race. However, it's still going to be the hardest physical challenge I've undergone. The best part is that it cost a lot of money and so now I can't back out.

So from now on, I'm pushing myself to be uncomfortable. I'm choosing the harder route and doing the things that I was always too scared of doing. In fact I'm not looking at a trip to jump off a 28 foot cliff. Yay! *Asks the gods why he's doing this to himself*. The upshot is that I'm more sore that I've ever been, I'm more tired than I've ever been.... and oddly I've never felt this good. 

This time it will stick.  

Hey! 

So there's a Spartan Sprint coming up on 9/24/16 at the Citizens Bank Park in Philly. I was wondering if there were any rebels that might also be running it. 

This will be my very first run, so I'm a little intimidated.

Hopefully I'll see y'all around! 

-Rai

Is anyone planning on running the Spartan Sprint at Citizens Bank Park on 9.24? 

I'm in Wissahickon/Roxborough right up against the park. 

Quote

On it  Ready and waiting to drag you back here kicking and screaming. Be careful what you wish for  

 
Hahah good! Being in over my head and dragged back places is what I need at first. 

*puts on face-kicking boots* 

*Takes a deep breath* Ok I got this.... 

Ok I'm back for my second challenge. Let's hope I can stick to it this time. Last time I let myself get derailed and then defeated not again. 

So, they say any good journey starts with the few first steps and theses are mine. So what Have we got? 

Goal 1: 

Keep a food log. I just re-upped my food supply, I have everything separated into portions. If I can log the things I eat, hopefully it'll get far more aware of my macros and help me control my tendency to snack endlessly. 

Goal 2: 

No more than 2 consecutive days out of the gym. I'm going to be following the workout plan I have, but for now I'm more interested on focusing on building the habit and getting into the gym. I'm good once I'm in there and working out. The problem is that I work long, late hours and run around a lot for my job. Consequently, I tend to be "too tired". 

Goal 3: 

Find at least one geocache a week. My partner and I love geocaching. We never go out any more. Too easy to be lazy when not adulting. It shouldn't be hard to go out and nab one geocache on a day off. 

BONUS GOAL:

Learn one new ASL sign a day. 

So keep me on this folks, if I disappear, if I don't update once a week, come find me. Drag me back ok? 

One foot in front of the other. Keep on swimming. You can do this. 

Gird your loins everyone, Raidho's heading out into the world. 

You are now my inspiration for updating. I'm bad at posting updates to my challenge, meanwhile you're on it every day. My ex always wanted me to go caving with him, but I wouldn't go. Honestly, it's because I wasn't sure I'd have the strength and stamina to keep up or take care of myself if we ended up in a tight spot. However, as I've been getting back into shape, I've become way more interested in hiking and things. I'm thinking maybe I should give caving a shot. You certainly made it seem obnoxiously cool. 

Also, way to go with the push up progress. I know people in amazing shape that still avoid doing push ups. To work on achieving even 50 is badass!