Jormungand

Welcome as always. I looked through the Elements program. Very intriguing. I'm really starting to enjoy workouts that don't require anything but what we're born with. Don't get me wrong, I love kettlebells as much as the next guy, but there's something to harnessing the potential that we already have.

This morning, I took the first step in working through the 4-Week MovNat Primer (4WMNP) that I am doing for my challenge this turn. I performed the following: Stepping Over x 4: Perform dynamically, avoid counterbalancing with the upper body. Switch sides. Stepping Under x 4: Perform dynamically, avoid rounding the back. Switch sides. Lateral Figure Four Sitting Reverse x 4 Assisted Squat x 8: Hold at the bottom and bounce softly a few times before standing up. Split Squat x 4: Keep front knee stable, switch sides. Deep Knee Bend x 4: Maintain a tall posture. Deep Knee Bend Stances x 4: Hold stance for about 10 seconds each time. Maintain a tall posture and stable ankles and knees. Medium Kneeling to Tall Kneeling x 4 Deep Knee Bend to Tall Half-kneeling x 4: Switch sides. I really like this, and I am looking forward to progressing in it. I do not know how much specific strength training I will be doing, but I cannot imagine that I'd give it up completely these few weeks. I will try to work some in without going overboard.

There is always next year. I will definitely be looking forward to hear about you viking through an OCR course.

The ally and I went for a run today after work. She did some interval running that I matched with her for a while, but then I kept going when she hit her halfway point. I will just count the portion that I ended up running. Overall, I did about 3.5 miles. For the last mile, I pushed myself at a faster pace and was pretty winded by the time I finished. I felt pretty good though .

Very cool as is per usual.

That is fantastic to hear about your Grand Canyon trip. Also, major kudos for the award from your state press association. Compiling all of the stories and ads for our state press association contests was always a fun time for both the advertising and editorial departments at the paper I worked for. I loved going through the past year's work to find our highlights. However, it seemed that each year I would end up staying late while trying to submit all of the work last minute so that it met the association's increasingly superfluous contest regulations. All in all, though, I understand what an honor it is to be awarded. Congrats again. Keep up the good work, and I have no doubt you'll crush the rest of this week.

Definitely here for this. Seems a lot of us are shaking things up this challenge as far as the guilds are concerned. I have a lot of similar goals this time around: looking to up the mileage, develop a better grip on my body movements, and just plain eat better. I'll be looking forward to see how you progress now that you're on dry land full time.

I like your goals, especially with the focus on avoiding procrastination. I am the same way: even though I know how good it feels to just sit down and get some work done, it always seems easier to just put it off until the last minute. I'm also digging the Bullet Journal.

Thanks. I've been going through their ebook and reading more into the whole process. I like what I've read so far, but I'm trying to make sure I don't just fall into the lure of something new and shiny. Glad to have you along. I've done a few Tough Mudders, and I think it's time that I give Spartans a shot.

Thank you. I would recommend them to anyone who even has a passing interest in them (and probably even to those who don't).

I've done the vast majority of my challenges in the Rangers since my time here, but I am beginning to focus almost all of my training into getting better at obstacle course races. I ran three this year, and I am looking at five or six in 2017. I am pretty decent at running and strength training, but I want to be as fluid as possible going through the obstacles, so I thought I'd throw in with you lot. First Quest: MovNat - Starting with the basics for this. I saw somewhere on the forums someone discussing this 4-Week MovNat Primer, and I think it might be a good jumping off point. I like the elements of it, and I think it will be a good path to fostering greater control over my movement patterns. Second Quest: 80/20 I need to focus on fueling my body properly the majority of the time, but I've never done well with following strict diets or programs. However, the 80/20 Principle rests well with what I feel is healthy and sustainable. Since it's less about restricting intake and more about feeling free to enjoy food a portion of the time, I will be diligent in keeping myself honest on here. Third Quest: 50 Miles Not much to it. I need to start raising the number of miles I run so that I can through these courses easier. I am looking at running at least two Tough Mudders and going for my Spartan Trifecta next year. Not only do I want to run them, but I want to excel at them. Can't do that without logging some miles. I plan on running at least 50 miles during this challenge. That's that. I hope you'll have me, Assassins. I'm looking forward to it.

Got up early and went for a city run this morning before work. It was about 7:00, and I got in about 3.8 miles. That's a rough estimate because I don't carry any phone or device when I run. I like just running without much gear, and then tracking when I'm done.

I went for a run in town this morning at about 5:15. Not much, but it was an enjoyable 2.5 mile run. The weather was fantastic, and I could get used to these cool mornings.

Definitely here for this challenge. You've got a lot on your plate, but you are clearly making the right steps on this path, and I see nothing that will stand in your way. Very cool theme this time around.

It happens. And when it does, you've done what you need to do, which is to just dust yourself off and get back to work. Well done overall. I can't wait to see how your next challenge pans out.

I do not see how I could pass this up.

I hate to hear about this. I am sorry. I hope things with your job improve so that you can get back for some much needed family time.

Little bit of a respawn this morning. After running the Michigan Tough Mudder, I've been slacking a little bit on my diet, but I am working on tightening things back up. Made it into the fitness center at about 6:00 this morning. Farmer's Walk: 1/4 mile - 25# kettlebell Shoulder Press: 3x10 - 40# Pistol Squat w/ TRX: 3x10 Tricep Dip: 3x15 - BW Farmer's Walk: 1/4 mile - 25# kettlebell BW: 201.5

Four Week Challenge Recap I do not have much to complain about for this challenge. I am happy with how my training is going, and with a few adjustments, I feel that this is something that I will be able to continue in the long term. I do want to start zeroing in my training on the idea that it should help me do what I love, and what I love to do is OCR. I am generally happy with my weight and overall fitness, but I want to start focusing on what will make me run farther, climb higher walls, and excel in my grip strength. First Quest: Drop the Hammer Not a whole lot to say here. I hit all the days that I needed to as far as lifting and running/cycling. There were a couple days where I included other forms of physical activity, like mowing the lawn, which I did count towards this quest. The only week that I had more than two days of rest was the last one, but there was a Tough Mudder in there at the end, so I will count that. Second Quest: Oil for the Machine I am generally pleased with this. Sure, there were meals that could have been better, but they were more the exception to the rule, and I did allow for some breathing room. Overall, nothing majorly out of place. I did end up drinking a gallon of water on all days but a couple. I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I feel like I performed better in my training when I was this hydrated, and I will definitely keep up this practice as much as I can. Also, I didn't drink a whole lot of alcohol during this challenge. In fact, there was one week where I didn't have any, and most weeks I never went over two days, so I am happy with that as well. Third Quest: Identify Target No video games and lots of reading. I finished one book, started and finished a second, and got most of the way through a third during this challenge. That's not bad, but it could be better. This quest was a success, but I know I can fit in more reading time if I plan better. Maybe squeeze some audiobooks in there. First Quest: +2 STR +2 STA (Pass) Second Quest: +4 CON (Pass) Third Quest: +1 WIS +1 CHA (Pass) As always, I appreciate all of you who took the time to help me along the way. I hope that I was able to reciprocate at least somewhat. You are all awesome, and I look forward to what we can accomplish in the future. Nothing can stand in our way, and we will prevail.

At least there is still the physical aspect of the job. It beats sitting all day. Stay graceful.

That is an awesome 5K time. It's always motivating to see other people running alongside you who have been putting in the training themselves. It's important to find enjoyment from the training in and of itself, but I always love it when I can finally put it to the test with other people who have done the same. Nicely done. It sounds like you have some things to evaluate, especially since your locale is different from this last go around. I understand, because I'm in a similar place. Most of what I'm doing seems to be working, there just needs to be some tweaks made here and there. Well done overall, and I'll see you on the next one.

Also, real quick, there are few things I enjoy more than the feeling after running a Tough Mudder and my body is sore and there are tiny cuts, bruises, and sore spots on my hands, knees, elbows, etc. I know it sounds weird, but I really revel in this feeling of being beat up a little bit. Maybe it's just the feeling of physical accomplishment. I love carrying it into the week with me, too. If I could find a way to replicate this feeling every weekend, I'd be in good shape.

I am sorry to hear that things are so stressful with the job scenario right now. Hopefully it will even out as you move into a routine, but I understand how it can put a strain on the family. Again, keep powering through and things may yet improve.

Agreed. I am going to do all I can to take full advantage of these days to try to rack up some road mileage. Hope your 5K went well.

I'm digging the respawn pic. Finding different races and events is always a fun way to stay motivated. Kick ass medals are just a bonus. Definitely let us know if you acquire any. Nicely done this challenge.