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Overview / Motivation: The time has finally come! As I write out this challenge I am 5 days away from my Spartan Beast. While my training hasn't gone quite to plan, I just wrapped up a successful 10 mile run yesterday which built my confidence for my upcoming 12-14 mile / 30+ obstacle challenge. I'm looking forward to the mental and physical battle that I will be going up against to push the bounds of what I thought I could do. It's going to be an incredible experience. Main Quest: Complete a Spartan Trifecta Side Quests: Complete the Spartan BEAST Points Potential: STA+5 Grading Pass / Fail Average 2 Weight Training Workouts / Week Points Potential: STR+3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Foam Roll Daily [Recovery] Points Potential: DEX+2 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Life Quest: Read "The Resiliency Advantage: Master Change, Thrive Under Pressure, and Bounce Back from Setbacks" Complete Module 4 of the Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being Program Points Potential: WIS+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60%

Overview / Motivation: Fresh off a productive and successful 4-week challenge, I'm ready to continue my preparation for the Spartan Beast on April 28th. I'm maintaining my strength training, mindset preparation and core work while increasing my stamina and mileage. During this challenge I'll be ramping up my long run from 7 miles to 9 miles. Let's do it! Main Quest: Complete a Spartan Trifecta Side Quests: Complete 60 miles worth of runs this challenge Points Potential: STA+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average 210 Burpees / Week & Complete Daily Front & Side Plank [2:15 Minute Front Plank with 1 Minute Side Plank] Points Potential: DEX+2 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average 2 Weight Training Workouts / Week Points Potential: STR+3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Life Quest: Read "Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellence" Complete Module 2 of the Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being Program Points Potential: WIS+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60%

Overview / Motivation: I finally did it... during the off week I built up my 5 seconds of courage and bought my 2018 Spartan Trifecta pass. Then I signed up for my first of the Trifecta runs - the Beast. After running my first Spartan race last year, I knew I had to prove to myself that I could push beyond what I believed I could physically and mentally do - I knew I had to complete a Trifecta. This challenge starts my focused preparation and training towards the Tri-State Spartan Beast at the end of April. It is time... I'm also starting my 5 month Professional Coaching Program this month which will conclude in June. It is going to take me way outside my comfort zone, and I'm excited and scared as hell to get started! Main Quest: Complete a Spartan Trifecta Side Quests: Complete 40 miles worth of runs this challenge Points Potential: STA+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average 210 Burpees / Week & Complete Daily Front & Side Plank [2:15 Minute Front Plank with 1 Minute Side Plank] Points Potential: DEX+2 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average 2 Weight Training Workouts / Week Points Potential: STR+3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Life Quest: Read "Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing" Complete Module 1 of the Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being Program Points Potential: WIS+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60%

Hey everyone! This will be my first time setting up a six week challenge outside of the Assassin realm. I wanted to peak over here for a little while because my goals at the moment coincide with what a Ranger is all about. A warrior mixed with a scout-the ultimate hybrid and a perfect blend of strength and endurance! Just like the Indominus Rex- the perfect hybrid killing machine. I'm training to run the Spartan Beast on Halloween this year and want to make sure I'm ready to conquer it with a smile on my face [emoji57]. I've never been the endurance type of guy- I've always loved to build muscle and strength train. Running has never been enjoyable for me but something changed this year. I wanted to start doing these races and testing myself and maybe if I'm good enough at it, go pro. I dream big- anyone who knows me or meets me already knows this but I say why not? Why not go after it if I can? I have a loving wife who supports me and that right there is the the foundation to me going for it.. And the mindset and body I'm creating to sustain the craziness. Right now I follow a Crossfit Endurance workout protocol where I do 4-5 strength and endurance workouts and 2-3 endurance only workouts. I foam roll every day and do a lot of active recovery and full rest days because I know how important rest is. When I go running I usually hit the trails in the afternoon with my family. I can do anything from running hills, 800m repeats, run for 5 min rest for 2:30, repeat until form or pace falters.. Yea, that kinda stuff. But out on the trails, it's a lot of fun. I actually enjoy running then [emoji106][emoji106]. I generally eat really clean say for the last couple days.. I've been eating a LOT of carbs and almost making myself miserable...but I'm a big component of eating solid meals with good protein, lots of veggies and some healthy fats. I think last six weeks I almost ate an avocado a day! Love me some avocado [emoji39][emoji39] My goals will focus heavily on endurance training and taking care of myself. I want to focus on my rest days more than my training days these next 6-weeks.. This means naps and quality sleep! To motivate myself into the last leg of my training before I take on the Beast I will do my damnedest to survive the hunting prowess of the Indominus Rex. My skills and abilities will need to be at their peak because this predator is the Apex of all apex predators.. And one slip up could mean certain death! Goal #1: Outrun the I-Rex It's bigger than the T-Rex- faster, longer arms, and mixed with one of the most deadly dinosaurs to ever walk this earth, the velociraptor. I will need to be at 110% on top of my game to make sure I can outrun this monster! I did a 5k time trial back on the 2nd or 3rd week last 6WC and was at 38:48. My goal and only way to outrun the Indominus Rex would be to get anything below 30 min by the end of the 6weeks. Possible Points: +3 STA Goal #2: Know thy Enemy Studying the Spartan Race is key. There are going to be 30+ obstacles at the Beast over the course of 13-14 miles. This basically translates to 1 obstacle per half mile or so and that's if they do that- there might be some long runs and then 3-4 obstacles to wear us down. Either way I need to train for the unexpected but also look to obstacles I know will be there- like the rope climb, the spear throw, the tire flip, the tyrolean traverse and the bucket carry. These obstacles are core within Spartan Races and something I can add to my training. Like the I-Tex, whose hybrid monstrosity consists of raptor, t-rex, giganotosauraus, majungasaurus, carnotaurus, just to name a few! I will need to prepare for each part of this Beast as individual predators. That's a lot of teeth!! Practice/simulate the rope climb, spear throw, bucket carry and the tire flip or tyrolean traverse in someway shape or fashion at least x1 a week. Perform 1 obstacle skill 1x a week. More is always welcome. Prepare for natures ultimate hybrid... Possible Points: +2 STR, +3 DEX Goal #3: Don't let Her hear you breath.. Box breathing. 5 seconds inhale, 5 second hold- 5 second exhale, and finish off with a 5 second hold. This was a term and way to increase my lung power and mental stability in a panicked or stressful situation that I learned a couple months ago and think it's an extremely valuable tool to help me take on the Indominus Rex. Also, if I have to hide from it, I will need to be calm and maintain my breath control... I certainly can't have Her hearing me panting because I'm scared out of my mind and about to shiz myself! Practice box breathing x3 a week for a minimum of 5 min. BONUS- practice box breathing during workouts during rest periods Possible Points: +3 CON Goal #4: Avoid the Teeth I have a terrible habit of biting my nails. Like really, really bad. So my goal is to break this effin habit once and for all. This will be my biggest challenge yet but I think I can forge a mental attack that will leave me victorious! And I don't want to get eaten by the Indominus Rex.. That would just be a terrible way of going out.. Super terrible. It takes 30 days to break a habit- do whatever you have to do to make sure you don't bite your nails. I have 3 strikes before I metaphorically get eaten by the Indominus Rex, let's make them count. For every time I bite my nails after the 3 strikes I have to do 30 burpees, which ironically is the amount I would have to do at the Spartan say I fail or can't complete an obstacle. Possible Points: +4 CHA This will be one scary and epic 6-weeks and I can't wait to come out of it alive and better than before! If I can survive the ultimate lop sided battle between the Wolf and the Indominus Rex, then the Spartan Beast is just another obstacle in the path to greatness for me. I hope to make some new friends on the Ranger board and follow along with everyone's craziness over here! I'll do my best to entertain and kick ass this 6-weeks and NOT get eaten by the white death machine known as the Indominus Rex! Starting Stats: Age: 27 Height: 6'2 Weight: 180# Weight goal- No real weight goal- just maintain and get stronger and faster. If I got up to 190#, that would be a-ok with me! Here's my change from last 6-weeks to the start of this challenge (non-flexing): Wolf "Let the Boomstick do the talking."

Hello Everyone! I am training right now to run the Spartan Beast on Halloween. I want to run the elite race and was wondering if anyone else is doing the same? This will be my 1st OCR/mud run and I'm very excited for it! I volunteered for the Spartan Sprint at Cowboy's Stadium back on Father's Day weekend so I could get a free voucher for a future race! A training partner in the area would be great, even if just for the running aspect. I currently go to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve to run trails and to get on some uneven surface, which has been a blast. I currently use training protocols from Obstacle Dominator and Crossfit Endurance and weight train/HIIT about 4-5 times a week and run 3 times a week if anyone is curious. But please let me know if you are in the area and going to run the Beast on Halloween! It would be fun to have a battle buddy doing this half-marathon monster! Wolf

Main Quest: To complete the Spartan Beast, December 14th/15th. 1) Running - The Spartan Beast is a 10-12 mile obstacle course. I enjoy running (when it's not hot as blazes outside) and can currently run about 4-5 miles slowly (~13 min mile) without much trouble. This step is to utilize RunKeeper to train for a half marathon. Starting Tuesday, Sept 17, I'll be running 13 miles by the time of the Beast. So, I'll need to keep up with the schedule in the app, running 4x a week. By the end of the challenge, I will be running 6 miles at race pace (average 10 min mile). 2) Strength Training - Addressing the obstacles...This is tentative to change, as I plan on joining the women's Nerd Fitness Academy once it opens up, but mean while I've got the Rebel Strength Training guide and a set of dumbbells collecting dust...I would like to work through the Rookie Workout...by the end of the challenge I will be ready to graduate to Level 2 Recruit. 3) Eating to Fuel the Body - I know eating better will improve my energy levels and how much I'll be getting out of my workouts. Right now I try to eat my veggies, but I often succumb to fast food when work is really stressful or I'm pulling overtime, and my department almost always has some kind of yummy processed baked treats to boost morale. So for this step, I'm going to start by choosing 1 day out the week (pre-determined, not randomly when I feel like it), where I will only eat what I bring from home. This means eliminating that trip to Starbucks/Chick-fil-a and ignoring the donuts on the center table. Every week, I'll add one more day to the "only food from home" list, and by the end of the challenge I will be in my second week of strictly enjoying my home-cooked numnums. Life Quest Find Time to Read - It's so easy to find myself in front of the boob tube after a day of work, but I feel guilty about it, like I'm wasting time...I feel like watching TV is even more wasteful than playing World of Warcraft (no offense to those who play! I'm a recovering addict trying to find reasons to abstain)...Anyway, one of my bucket list goals is to read all the books of The Well-Educated Mind. So I'm going to read for at least 1 hour a week. This could be broken up in 3x20 minute time period, or all at once, but I just need to activate my imagination and exercise my intellect in ways outside of work. The book I'm choosing for this challenge is Mrs. Dalloway.