darna

Great work on week 1!!!

Nice work on the Batcave.

Great work! Pursue the challenge you must. The force is with you!

2018 Challenge 1 - Week 2 Fitness Goal 1: Run at least 4x a week (Jan2018 mileage: 60.26 miles, secret goal: 100 miles for Jan2018) Mon, 2018-Jan-08 - Gym Run, feeling tired but powered on the dreadmill again - 5.09 miles in 1 hr 9 mins Wed, 2018-Jan-10 - Gym Run, treadmill - 5.0 miles in 55 mins Thu, 2018-Jan-11 - Gym Run, had to stop for 20mins after mile 1 due to stomach cramping due to the banana i ate earlier (never again!), then finally struggled but managed to finish my 5.09 miles goal in 1 hr 20 mins Fri, 2018-Jan-12 - Gym Run, tried to run during my lunch break. gym is too busy, but it was quite one of my fastest run - 5 miles in 53 mins Sun, 2018-Jan-14 - Greenway Run, didn't realize it was sunny but quite cold and didn't wear my baselayers, just a light jacket. didn't get to warm-up properly but just had to run to stay warm and ended up with painful right leg from hitting my lactate threshhold. oh well. live and learn. it was 3.46miles run/walk for 54 mins. Fitness Goal 2: 5x5x5 Core 5x a week (1/5) Mon, 2018-Jan-08 - still struggling with the push-ups Wed, 2018-Jan-10 - i use this core routine for warm-ups prior to my gym run Thu, 2018-Jan-11 - done Fri, 2018-Jan-12 - done Sun, 2018-Jan-14 - done Fitness Goal 3: Evening Stretch Routine (10+ min evening stretch) Mon, 2018-Jan-08 - 10mins on Shavasana - done! Wed, 2018-Jan-10 - when I get home after the gym, i usually do this 10min stretch at home Thu, 2018-Jan-11 - done Fri, 2018-Jan-12 - done Sun, 2018-Jan-14 - done Level Up Goal: Gratitude Practice Mon, 2018-Jan-08 - 5 items listed on gratitude journal - done! Tue, 2018-Jan-09 - i usually do my journalling before going to bed Wed, 2018-Jan-10 - done Thu, 2018-Jan-11 - done Fri, 2018-Jan-12 - done Sat, 2018-Jan-13 - done Sun, 2018-Jan-14 - done Extra: Handstand (secret goal - to be able to do a handstand by end of June! shhh!!!) Mon, 2018-Jan-08 - Wanted to see if I can do a handstand eventually. Attempted to walk the wall 3x as a start. Thu, 2018-Jan-11 - 3x Wall The Wall. Far better distance that Monday's Sun, 2018-Jan-14 - Attended a 1.5hrs Beginner Handstand class. Learning a lot of warm-up and conditioning routines. I need to get over my fear of falling flat on my back and breaking it. Still, this class is very encouraging. Ben is a great instructor.

thanks! it doesn't matter the season, an outdoor run never fails to lift the spirit.

if totoro would do yoga with me... i would so do this yoga mini challenge!

2018 Challenge 1 - Week 1 Fitness Goal 1: Run at least 4x a week (4 out of 4 done - Jan2018 mileage: 36.71 miles) Day 4 - Sun, 2018-Jan-07 - Found a side trail that had some nice uphill stairs. Did 12 loops plus the couple miles heading to the park for a total of 14.43 miles in 2 hrs 41 mins. Not too windy but was 29F when I started and got to 25F by the time I finished. Fitness Goal 2: 5x5x5 Core (1 min Jumping Jacks, 1 min Squats, 1 min Lunges, 1 min Push-ups, 1 min Mountain Climbers) - 5 days out of 5 done Day 4 - Sun, 2018-Jan-07 - doubled up to complete the 5 this week Fitness Goal 3: Evening Stretch Routine (10+ min evening stretch) Day 4 - Sun, 2018-Jan-07 - 20mins on Shavasana - done! Level Up Goal: Gratitude Practice Day 4 - Sun, 2018-Jan-07 - 5 items listed on gratitude journal - done!

2018 Challenge 1 - Week 1 Fitness Goal 1: Run at least 4x a week (3 out of 4 done - Jan2018 mileage: 22.28 miles) Day 3 - Sat, 2018-Jan-06 - Rested for 2 successive days using snow and cold/windy as an excuse. Have to break this lazy streak, so bundled up and went for a Greenway run for 12.48 miles in 2 hrs 12 mins. The frozen lake is beautiful up close. Fitness Goal 2: 5x5x5 Core (1 min Jumping Jacks, 1 min Squats, 1 min Lunges, 1 min Push-ups, 1 min Mountain Climbers) - 3 days out of 5 done Day 3 - Sat, 2018-Jan-06 - the push-ups were rough but got it done Fitness Goal 3: Evening Stretch Routine (10+ min evening stretch) Day 3 - Sat, 2018-Jan-06 - 10mins on Shavasana - done! Level Up Goal: Gratitude Practice Day 3 - Sat, 2018-Jan-06 - 5 items listed on gratitude journal - done!

following for the dog mile

wow!!! congratulations on an awesome 2017!!! loving the bling! any 2018 upcoming/planned races? of course, any running goals, i follow =)

i'm a little one-track minded on my current addiction - running... following for the running...

awesome goals! following for the 1,000 miles and chicago marathon!

excellent effort on the mini-challenge.

2018 Challenge 1 - Week 1 Fitness Goal 1: Run at least 4x a week (2 out of 4 done - Jan2018 mileage: 9.8 miles) Day 2 - Tue, 2018-Jan-02 - 5 miles gym run in 51 mins - wanted to stop at mile 3 but pushed on the dreadmill to the 5 mile goal Fitness Goal 2: 5x5x5 Core (1 min Jumping Jacks, 1 min Squats, 1 min Lunges, 1 min Push-ups, 1 min Mountain Climbers) - 2 days out of 5 done Day 2 - Tue, 2018-Jan-02 - mountain climbers seemed harder today - i find this routine is a perfect warm-up for my gym run Fitness Goal 3: Evening Stretch Routine (10+ min evening stretch) Day 2 - Tue, 2018-Jan-02 - 15mins on Shavasana - done! Level Up Goal: Gratitude Practice Day 2 - Tue, 2018-Jan-02 - 5 items listed on gratitude journal - done! Extra: Stairs Climb - 4 round trips on 7 storey/floors (at work) in 25 mins - tougher than the run when you first start this

Well done Karma on keeping your goals on track! Great running plan too!

2018 Challenge 1 - Week 1 Fitness Goal 1: Run at least 4x a week Day 1 - Mon, 2018-Jan-01 - 4.8miles Greenway run - super cold, 27F when I started and 25F by the time i finished my run, lots of stops to take photo of the sunset and the moonrise Fitness Goal 2: 5x5x5 Core (1 min Jumping Jacks, 1 min Squats, 1 min Lunges, 1 min Push-ups, 1 min Mountain Climbers) Mon, 2018-Jan-01 - Struggled with the push-ups but got this done! Fitness Goal 3: Evening Stretch Routine (10+ min evening stretch) Mon, 2018-Jan-01 - 20mins on Shavasana - done! Level Up Goal: Gratitude Practice Mon, 2018-Jan-01 - 5 items listed on gratitude journal - done! sunset on today's run:

Thanks theophilus. Go ahead, steal away. Those jumping jacks are the killer. I can run for hours, but I cannot finish 1 minute of jumping jacks! I have the attention span of a gnat.So, 1 minute of anything other than running or hiking is unsustainable...

Thanks scalyfreak. I posted my 2018 Challenge 1 in the Scouts guild since it relates more to running.

@Karma Krishok - Here's what worked for my knee pain: 1. Cortisone Injection On Right Knee - these steroid shots are not really good for you so limit to once shot every couple of years. Anyways, I really need it on a Thursday to do the 25-miler death march Devil's Path hike on the Saturday, the supposedly toughest day hike in the Catskills. This was ages ago. 2. If hiking, use hiking poles particularly on downhills. 3. KT Tape (Kinesio Tape) - Youtube has videos on how to put it on. If doing multi-day hikes, it's better to use the KT-Pro since they stick better/longer even after showering. I don't use them now, but I bring pre-cut pieces for my knee in my emergency kit when out in the mountains. 4. Look at the sole of your shoes, are they worn out evenly? I supinate, meaning, when I land my foot roll outwards. Hence, the soles/rubber wore off on the outside. This causes my knee pain. I need to run on neutral foot. So, I add these Pedag 169 Stabil Anatomically Shaped Leather Self-Adhesive Heel Lift ($10 in Amazon) on top of my custom insole (which I need for my Plantar Fasciitis). I know it works because I don't have knee pain anymore and the soles of my shoes wear out evenly. I use them on both shoes. 5. After my run, I lie on this Far Infrared (FIR) Heating mat set to 50 (super hot but doesn't really burn yet) for 30mins to 1hr. This heals my lower back pain, my leg fatigue, and relieves my feet's sole. (similar to this in Amazon, UTK Far Infrared Natural Tourmaline Heating Pad for Pain Relief, Medium T-Pro (31''X21'')). No, it does not cure whatever is the cause, but I am good to run the next day. Like, literally, no more pain. 6. When I travel, I bring this Muscle Angels massager and roll it on my knee. It's a little difficult to use on the knee, but it helps. I have a couple of other rollers but they are basically useless. They don't go deep enough. I mostly use this on my lower back pain if I cannot use the heating mat. I lie and press my lower back as hard until it is so painful I almost want to cry for like 10 mins. After that, the tension on the tissues get released. It's almost like getting a deep tissue massage. I do a similar thing to the knee/calf/sole that hurts. 7. Even people who are not runners get knee pain. This is especially true if the person is overweight. I notice my knees start to hurt if I get heavier. So, that could be a factor. I don't get any money on the products I mentioned. Your mileage may vary. I don't really do any static or dynamic stretching before my run. I do walk the first half mile or 30mins and do a slow run. I don't really run fast unless the course is very runnable and mostly downhill. I'm too lazy to do knee exercises either. Hope one of these helps you out.

Thanks Karma! 'Now, off to run...

Thanks Borg Queen! I've had a DNF (Did Not Finish) 50K race last April in Alabama. Who would have thought there are endless hills in Alabama? The downhills were a bomb. I went so fast and literally flying I could not have stopped until the ground levelled off. But the uphills totally destroyed me! Anyways, I got pulled out of the race halfway since I missed the cut-off by 30mins. That kinda messed up my self-confidence and I started questioning myself. I have not signed up for any races yet until I have these uphills covered somehow in my training runs. Thanks for the encouragement.

Karma, that is so cool. You should totally climb Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest while you are there! I did it and did the Via Ferrata on the way down. Incredible experience. On summit day, everybody has an alpine start of 2am and you will see this parade of lights (headlamps) snaking up to the mountain top. You need to reach Timpohon Gate at 7am or you will not be allowed to continue. It is such an accessible mountain, you see all kinds of people trying to climb it - big, young, old, men, women, etc. You pass by a lot of people with their guides just on the side trying to catch their breath, some puking, some crying, some just sitting there. Whatever their reasons for climbing this mountain, I commend them for trying. I also climbed Mt Fansipan, Vietnam's highest, but it's not as popular as Kota Kinabalu. We probably saw less than 20 people when we did it. BTW, on lists, my ultimate bucket dream list is the Seven Summits list. That is to climb the highest point of all seven continents. Lol, I'll probably die or go bankrupt trying but what an epic and BHAG goal for me, anyways. Many rich people have completed the 7 summits, but you still need to do the work - train, train, and more training. I would say it's what you become on the pursuit of your dreams. The summits are just icing on the cake. Good luck on Mera Peak and Island Peak!

following... wow! i would call these BHAG goals (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). which 3 countries (races?) you are running?

Newbie here... I wanted to insert some .gifs but my uploads fail... Oh well, on with my story and 2018 challenge. I found hiking or rather hiking found me for nothing better to do in 2009. I met like-minded hikers who introduced me to lists and I was never the same again. Who knew there is a Catskills 3500 List (which I have completed both the Regular and Winter lists), or the ADK 46er List (which I try to do whenever I can drive up to New York), and of course, my epic quest, the 50 States High Points List (started in 2010 and have done 43 out of 50). I guess one can never have enough lists. Then in 2013, never having really run before, out of the blue, I decided to sign up for the 24-Hour NJ Trail Series and ended up running 50 miles in 15 hours. You never know how far you can go until you try. This began my love affair with running. I love to run on dirt and trails and hike up mountains too. And yes, the start of another list - 50 States Ultra (3 out of 50). Since moving here in NC, there have not been many opportunities to hike. So, I just run on nearby trails or in the gym. Sadly, I miss the Northeast. There is nothing like the enthusiasm and great vibes you get from fellow hikers there. For my 2018 Challenge 1, I tend to start off excited and all raring to go, but if I miss two days in a row that annihilates my running streak. I get messed up and start feeling down, have no motivation to run and beat myself up for being lazy. So, I'm hoping some scouts come to my rescue and push me back on track and keep me accountable - run, walk, crawl. whatever... Let's do more running than resting! I'm going to keep it simple so I can focus and build on small wins to hit my goals. Start: 2018-Jan-01 End: 2018-Feb-04 Fitness Goal 1: Run at least 4x a week Fitness Goal 2: 5x5x5 Core I can run long but my core needs work. So, I thought of doing this routine at least 5 days a week to build some base. I tend to get bored if it has nothing to do with running or hiking. So, baby steps. If 5 minutes of core doesn't kill me, I guess it should make me stronger! 1 min Jumping Jacks 1 min Squats 1 min Lunges 1 min Push-ups 1 min Mountain Climbers Fitness Goal 3: Evening Stretch Routine Work has me sitting in front of a computer for hours. A 10-min or so evening stretch since my lower back hurts at the end of the day. Level Up Goal: Gratitude Practice I keep a gratitude journal, but have not been consistent. So, write 5 things I am grateful, thankful for everyday in my gratitude journal.

I cannot be an army of one. I joined the rebellion so I can be accountable. I like the idea of challenges and hope to get it going in 2018. "So make your choice straightforwardly, once and for all, and stick to it. Choose what’s best." – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Book 3.6