WolfDreamer Continues to Master the Four Elements

[WolfDreamer]

 

Rebooting my Avatar: The Last Airbender challenge because even though I did not post much last challenge, I really have felt a difference in being mindful of balance in the choices I make. I wanted to start a new thread, as well, rather than just roll over the last one.

 

Below, I will break down some goals relevant to each of the elements. Some goals are required daily, and others are optional ways to gain strength in that element. Each goal earns a point for that element. The ultimate goal by the end of the challenge is to get as close to a balanced score for each element as possible.

 

So, let's begin:

 

 

Water:

• cold shower (daily)
• drink at least 8 glasses of water (daily)
• continue going outside barefoot and shirtless in the morning regardless of temperature (daily)
• consider rain as an opportunity to energize your soul rather than a reason to stay inside; +5 bonus for barefoot run in the rain
• practice tai chi style movements/stretching
• practice qigong water element movements
• read a book/article, watch a video, or listen to a podcast about water
• meditate to water sounds or listen to a water-themed or sacral chakra guided meditation
• BONUS: +5 points if you soak in a cold stream or river

 

 

 

Earth:

• practice "earthing": stand barefoot on the ground and feel the earth's energy (daily)
• eat plenty of foods that come from the ground; +5 bonus points if you harvest it yourself
• lift something that comes from the earth (rocks, logs, etc.).
• hike/run/climb a mountain or hill; +5 bonus for rock climbing
• practice qigong earth element movements
• read a book/article, watch a video, or listen to a podcast about the earth
• get dirty on purpose; walk barefoot in the mud, dig a hole with your hands, harvest wild onions, roll around on the ground
• practice ground flow movements (Animal Flow, crawling, natural movement ground flow, Ido Portal style movements.)
• meditate to earth-themed or root chakra guided meditation

 

 

Fire:

• get sunlight on your skin (daily)
• do something that scares you, something that makes you feel flushed and causes that burning fear in the pit of your stomach
• practice sun salutation (+5 Bonus if this is completed just as the sun rises)
• practice qigong fire element movements
• complete a "power-based" workout (HIIT, movements that require power, such as lifting, pulling, jerking, sprinting, etc., anything that gets your heart beating quickly and your body temperature up)
• practice "breath of fire" breathing exercise
• eat foods that have ripened in the sun and/or carry a lot of "heat": citrus fruits, cinnamon, olives/olive oil, ginger, sunflower seeds/sunflower seed oil, cereals, tomatoes, peppers, chili etc., as well as foods that are prepared using fire (seared/grilled, etc.).
• read a book/article, watch a video, or listen to a podcast about fire
• build a campfire and meditate on its warmth and its light
• meditate to fire sounds or fire-themed or solar plexus chakra guided meditation (+5 bonus if you burn incense or a candle during meditation or meditate by a campfire)

 

 

Air: 

• continue WHM breathing exercises (daily)
• run at least three days/week, being mindful of how the air both assists and resists your movement
• complete a cardio-based workout
• practice qigong air element movements
• eat (in moderation) dry, light foods (legumes, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits and crunchy fruits, such as apples or pears)
• read a book/article, watch a video, or listen to a podcast about air/wind/breath
• meditate to sounds of wind/air or air-themed or heart chakra guided meditation

[annyshay]

Yay more Avatar! Go get em, Wolfdreamer.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

How big is the magazine on your bullet point gun?  

 

Following!

[WolfDreamer]

11 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

How big is the magazine on your bullet point gun?  

 

 That's a very personal question. 😜

 

14 hours ago, annyshay said:

Yay more Avatar! Go get em, Wolfdreamer.

 

You can never have too much Avatar.

 

I reached out to my friend @ctfranklin28 on Twitter. He hasn't been active for a few years, but he agreed to put together a challenge for the 10th Anniversary and might be returning as a regular participant in the forums. He was an Assassin, and I think he plans to return to them again.

 

I had 20 minutes to spare this morning, so I banged out this quick HIIT workout:

 

4:48 warmup

3 Rounds of:

• Rockstars -- 40 seconds
• 15 second pause
• Crossing punches -- 40 seconds
• 15 second pause
• Push-up shoulder taps -- 40 seconds
• 15 second pause
• High side plank L -- 40 seconds
• 15 second pause
• High side plank R -- 40 seconds
• 30 second break between rounds

I had to switch to knee push-ups for the third round and could also only hold the side planks for about 25 seconds on the third round. But I feel good about the workout overall, and it only took about 20 minutes.

 

More updates later.

 

Meanwhile, enjoy:

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

4 hours ago, WolfDreamer said:

That's a very personal question. 😜

Not to worry, I'm a very person!

[ctfranklin28]

Thanks for the intro....

 

I'm back...

 

 

[WolfDreamer]

I'm not keeping score yet, but here is an update for yesterday.

 

0 Week, Monday:

 

Water:

• took a cold shower (2 minutes warm, 3 minutes cold)
• drank at least 8 glasses of water
• took the dogs outside in the rain while shirtless and shoeless; the cold rain on my skin was refreshing
• worked through some movements and stretches
• listened to an episode of Earthwise that talked about harvesting blue energy.
• sat in stillness on my porch and listened to the raindrops on the tin roof.
• +5 bonus points for a barefoot sprint across the field in the rain

Earth:

• took the dogs outside while barefoot; it was raining hard and the ground was muddy and squishy
• stood barefoot at the top of the hill while taking the dogs out
• drank coffee with coconut oil, heavy cream, honey, and cinnamon
• had carrots and peas with dinner
• watched a mini documentary on Youtube titled Run the Line. It's not specifically about earth, but watch it and I think you'll agree it counts.
• HIIT workout this morning got me on the ground for planks and push-ups

Fire:

• it was a very bleak and gray day, but I did spend some time outside
• completed a 20 minute HIIT workout in the morning before work
• practice "breath of fire" breathing exercise
• sprinkled some cinnamon in my coffee
• dinner was chicken teriyaki with carrots, peas, and a side of cottage cheese topped with black pepper
• read an excellent poem by Eddie Kim titled "Firefighters’ Visit Leads to Fire." I really love the final stanza:

There is no exit or entrance from memory.
It is black fire, Haenim, Amaterasu, insatiable
and inextinguishable.
A fire that burns fire.
It doesn’t understand the essence of linear existence,
of valuing ignorance of what is to come.
Like the sun, it is destructive and sustaining,
a never-ending series of thermonuclear explosions.
The true source of Superman’s power
is memory. Memory of life before fire,
memory of feeling masking tape clinging to cotton
and college-ruled paper, a mother’s binding spell.

 

Air: 

• stayed mindful of my breath during my cold shower as well as during my HIIT workout
• warmed up with some cardio before my HIIT workout
• snacked on some popcorn
• read the poem "Silence Retreat" by Sara Gelston

 

[WolfDreamer]

Update:

 

Week 0, Tuesday:

 

Water:

• took a cold shower (2 minutes warm, 3 minutes cold)
• drank at least 8 glasses of water
• took the dogs outside in the rain while shirtless and shoeless; yes, it is still raining, and flooding is a concern
• worked through some movements and stretches
• watched a video about river surfer Gannett Horn.
• walked across campus without a jacket or umbrella in spite of the rain

Earth:

• took the dogs outside while barefoot; it was raining even harder than yesterday, and the yard is basically a swamp
• stood barefoot at the top of the hill (trying not to fall) while taking the dogs out
• drank some green tea with honey
• snacked on Thai curry flavored potato chips and ate some baby carrots and raw broccoli with dinner 
• read an article on National Geographic about why we need more dirt in our lives
• listened to a meditation called "Earth -- Heart" on Insight Timer

Fire:

• it was another very bleak and gray day, but I took a walk around campus to get some light
• practiced "breath of fire" breathing exercise while in the shower
• meatloaf topped with Texas Pete hot sauce and roast beef sandwich with honey mustard for dinner
• snacked on Takis
• read the poem "If It Ever Happens That the Fire Goes Out" by Lisa Olstein

Air: 

• stayed mindful of my breath during my cold shower
• practiced two rounds of WHM breathing
• read an article in Science Daily about the connection between air pollution in childhood and increased risk of schizophrenia
• snacked on dried fuji apples

 

[WolfDreamer]

"If you just keep moving you will come to a better place." -- Iroh 

 

 

[Aquarii]

Here for the bullet points!

[Ann of Owlshire]

Here for the Avatar! I love your challenges. 

[WolfDreamer]

Update:

Week 0 Wednesday and Thursday

 

Water:

• took a cold shower both days (2 minutes warm, 3 minutes cold)
• drank at least 8 glasses of water both days
• took the dogs outside both days in the rain while shirtless and shoeless; yes, it is still raining, though not as hard, and everything is soggy and squishy
• worked through some movements and stretches; Thursday my thighs and legs were sore from my HIIT workout Wednesday (lots and lots of squats)
• read the poem "River Song" by Ron Maclean and watched a video on Youtube about running along the San Antonio River in San Antonio, TX.

Earth:

• took the dogs outside while barefoot both days; it was raining even harder than yesterday, and the yard is basically a swamp
• stood barefoot at the top of the hill both days while taking the dogs out
• Wednesday I drank some green tea with honey; Thursday I made coffee with coconut oil, heavy cream, honey, and cinnamon
• Thursday my buddy Rick gave me a pair of Vivobarefoot Evo Pure running shoes.
• Thursday I watched a TEDx talk about why soil is vital to our ecosystem

Fire:

• it was yet again two very bleak and gray days back to back, but regardless I walked around campus to get some light
• HIIT workouts completed for Wednesday and Thursday; Wednesday's was really rough with a lot of squats and jumping jacks. Thursday I was reminded that high side planks are one of the hardest things to do ever.
• sprinkled cinnamon in my coffee Thursday
• sprinkled Cajun seasoning in my grits for breakfast Thursday
• for dinner Thursday I ate tuna and salmon sashimi with ginger and wasabi 
• meatloaf topped with Texas Pete hot sauce for dinner Wednesday
• Thursday I watched a TED talk by Stephen Pyle, "How Fire Shapes Everything"

Air: 

• stayed mindful of my breath during my cold showers, my workouts, and while walking around campus in the cold; during my workouts, I am experimenting with nostril breathing versus taking deep open-mouthed breaths when I feel winded
• HIIT workouts included cardio
• practiced box breathing while relaxing in the campus library
• Thursday I read the poem "Exhaling" by Bob Hicok.
• Thursday I left my parents' house and ran through the neighborhood where I grew up, staying mindful of my breath and of taking light, easy steps 
• snacked on dried fuji apples

 

[WolfDreamer]

Water:

• took a cold shower (2 minutes warm, 3 minutes cold)
• drank at least 8 glasses of water
• took the dogs outside while shirtless and shoeless; the rain has stopped, but now it is 30F and icy with snow falling
• I was mindful of the tingling sensation of snowflakes on bare skin
• worked through some movements and stretches; still a little sore from W and TR workout.
• watched a clip from the movie A River Runs Through It

Earth:

• took the dogs outside while barefoot; the ground was a mix of wet and slushy with ice and a dusting of snow
• stood barefoot at the top of the hill and watched the silhouette of some geese swimming in the floodwaters
• made some green tea with honey at home and black coffee at work
• ate California roll for lunch with ginger and wasabi
• chips with guacamole and salsa for snack
• zucchini noodles topped with marinara for dinner
• helped my mentor by feeding the chickens, collecting their eggs, and giving them fresh water as well as some scraps
• read an article on Outside Online about why we should let our kids get dirty: "When a kid gets dirty out in the world, it’s almost entirely on their terms. They become the boss of their body. Their imagination goes into overdrive, and they experience the independence and thrill of flaunting social expectations that say they ought not get filthy."

Fire:

• Aaaaaand you guessed it... another bleak and gray day, but again I walked around campus to get as much light as I could; the sun is there behind the clouds somewhere
• weight training before work: 3 rounds at 100 pounds to failure of chest press, shoulder press, rows, and lat pulldowns
• ate ginger and wasabi with my California roll
• chips with salsa and guacamole for snack 
• read an article about evidence to suggest the Trump administration and the DOI falsified information and manipulated emissions reporting from the Camp and Woolsey fires in California in order to promote logging: "Connect these dots, and we see an administration that is willing to falsify information on deadly natural disasters in order to speed its rollback of environmental regulations in benefit of industry. And, rather than take effective actions to address the cause of these fires, is actually worsening the chances of fires burning out of control in the future both by reducing the fire resiliency of forests, and speeding the effects of climate change. While that’s going on, the President is continuing to threaten to cut off federal aid to the victims of these fires, in what appears to be an effort to support all the above."

Air: 

• stayed mindful of my breath during my cold showers, during weight training, and while walking around campus in the cold; continued to experiment with nostril breathing while lifting weights--definitely hard to keep from breathing through my mouth, but it felt like I was able to push out more reps than I thought
• some warmup cardio before weight training
• practiced box breathing while relaxing alone in my classroom
• read a Physics Today article about how dandelion seeds are perfectly designed for air travel.
• snacked on a small bag of caramel corn

[WolfDreamer]

Water:

• did not take a cold shower, but I washed my hair under cold water
• drank at least 8 glasses of water
• took the dogs outside while shirtless and shoeless; cold (15F) and icy
• felt freezing fog on my bare skin, which burned but also woke me up
• worked through some movements and stretches
• drank from a natural stream during my trail run
• listened to an NPR segment about Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (where there is still an outbreak of Ebola) that does not have clean running water

Earth:

• took the dogs outside while barefoot; the ground cold, hard, and icy
• stood barefoot at the top of the hill and felt the cold ground stinging my feet
• made tea with honey as a boost before my early morning run
• for breakfast: two duck eggs, three sausage patties, with mushrooms and spinach sautéed in butter and topped with salsa
• had an ear of corn with lunch
• dinner: soft beef taco with lettuce, tomato, rice, and refried beans
• read an article on Nova that discussed recently discovered fossils that may capture the moment of mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs

Fire:

• Hallelujah the sun was out today! I spent some time shirtless after my second trail run of the day and absorbed the warmth of the sun for about five minutes
• practiced breath of fire while sitting shirtless in the sunlight
• sprinted down some switchbacks that dropped from a ridge on an icy trail; I genuinely thought I was going to take a tumble down the ridge because the trail was narrow
• topped my breakfast with salsa
• splashed some hot sauce and salsa on my tacos at dinner 
• drank coffee with butter, honey, vanilla protein, and cinnamon
• read a Science News article about concerns that some ecosystems in Australia that do not typically see wildfires will be permanently impacted by the recent fires and may not recover.

Air: 

• stayed mindful of my breath during my trail runs
• ran 5k on an old golf course with my buddy Rick early this morning; I was mindful of the cold air creeping through my clothes
• practiced breath of fire while relaxing in the sunlight
• listened to an NPR segment about how breathing is a built-in stress reliever
• added refried beans and rice to my taco at dinner

[WolfDreamer]

Mostly lazy day (Sunday is usually a rest day), but it was not uneventful:

 

Water:

• washed my hair under cold water
• drank at least 8 glasses of water
• took the dogs outside while shirtless and shoeless; not as cold as yesterday but foggy and cool
• dinner was two pieces of batter-dipped fish and two hush puppies
• watched a livestream of J. Nichols read from his book Blue Mind, which is about how being in, on, near, or under water can make us happier, healthier, and more productive

Earth:

• took the dogs outside while barefoot; the ground was cold and damp
• stood barefoot at the top of the hill
• made tea with honey
• for breakfast again: two scrambled duck eggs, three sausage patties, with mushrooms and spinach sautéed in butter and topped with salsa and guacamole
• took care of my mentor's chickens and ducks and collected their eggs
• watched the first few minutes of the documentary Dirt! The Movie.

Fire:

• more sunshine today; spent some time outside shirtless to absorb some sunlight
• topped my breakfast with salsa, guacamole, and Tabasco
• read a HowStuffWorks article about wildfires

Air: 

• practiced box breathing after waking up because I had a slight headache
• read a ScienceDaily article that claims that exhaled breath carries a "breathprint" that is unique to every person
• ate spinach with my breakfast
• snacked on dried apples

[Skywalker]

I really love your challenge format.  I'd get anxious about all of the things to do but you seem to take it in your stride.  I guess that consistent action give you a structure to succeed.

[WolfDreamer]

2 hours ago, Skywalker said:

I really love your challenge format.  I'd get anxious about all of the things to do but you seem to take it in your stride.  I guess that consistent action give you a structure to succeed.

 

Always good to see you @Skywalker.

 

Thank you. I generally start with a goal and then brainstorm what activities, habits, or behaviors can help me achieve that goal. I don't necessarily expect to complete everything on the list but I do expect to take a balanced approach towards reaching my goal. Does that make sense?

[Snarkyfishguts]

7 minutes ago, WolfDreamer said:

 

I generally start with a goal and then brainstorm what activities, habits, or behaviors can help me achieve that goal. I don't necessarily expect to complete everything on the list but I do expect to take a balanced approach towards reaching my goal. Does that make sense?

Progress, not perfection. 

 

 

I enjoy your challenge too. It's very inspiring because I usually do one thing and I'm like "Well (brushes imaginary dirt off hands) I'm ready for my nap!" Now I have little excuse not to be productive!  

[WolfDreamer]

13 minutes ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

I usually do one thing and I'm like "Well (brushes imaginary dirt off hands) I'm ready for my nap!"

 

I am high strung most of the time, so for me it's more like I do one thing and then every part of my being asks, "What's next?" The bigger challenge for me is learning to settle down, which is why meditation is tough for me.

[WolfDreamer]

Week 1, M & T

 

Water:

• cold shower (both days)
• drank at least 8 glasses of water (Monday, but not Tuesday)
• worked through some flowing movements and stretches
• took the dogs outside while shirtless and shoeless; Monday it was cool and frosty, and Tuesday is was an oddly warm morning
• Tuesday I went for a 2 mile run before work during a light drizzle
• Monday I watched a TED talk about how rivers can teach us a lot about Earth's history
• Tuesday I meditated for 10 minutes to the sound of raindrops on leaves

Earth:

• walked outside barefoot while taking the dogs out
• Monday lunch: turkey, ham, spinach, and cheddar cheese with mustard on wheat bread; Tuesday lunch: tortilla chips with rice, guacamole, salsa, and cottage cheese
• Tuesday dinner: broccoli cheddar soup with shredded carrots
• Monday: arms workout using Adidas training app, which included plank variations as well as push-up variations (pike push-ups are really freaking hard)
• Monday: read an article on Outside Online about how more bikers are leaving the roads and heading for trails; Tuesday: read an article on HowStuffWorks about soil lamps
• Tuesday: went to the chicken coop in the rain because my mentor is afraid of falling on the wet steps leading to the coop; fed the ducks and chickens, gave them fresh water, and collected their eggs
• Tuesday: crawled around on the floor in my living room while playing with my dog and was mindful of using smooth ground movements to keep from hurting myself

Fire:

• Monday was a bright, sunny day, so I ran shirtless during my afternoon 5k run
• making plans for a 13+ mile train run in early March; just thinking about it has my stomach in knots
• Monday afternoon, I had to suppress my anger because I overheard some family members speaking ill of my deceased grandfather, about how he "knew how to push your buttons" and how he used to be a "hateful man." I could feel my face getting flushed and anger building, and I know if I responded to their comments my words would not be received well. So, I walked away. 
• Monday: upper body HIIT workout, as well as a 5k run at a steady pace (had to stop twice for dogs, though); Tuesday: quick 2 mile run before work at steady pace
• Tuesday: lunch included salsa and guacamole
• Monday: dinner was roasted turkey and skillet-cooked potato cakes
• Tuesday: read an article on Science Daily that discusses new research that challenges the belief for when humans first acquired fire

Air: 

• Monday: one round of WHM breathing
• Monday: ran my 5k shirtless while being mindful of the breeze on my bare skin and arms; Tuesday: tried to keep running at a brisk pace while enjoying the cool, damp morning air
• Monday: cardio warmup before arms workout
• Monday: added spinach to my sandwich for lunch; Tuesday: 
• Tuesday: listened to a segment on NPR about the skepticism surrounding the reliability of wind energy

[Aquarii]

On 2/17/2020 at 8:32 AM, WolfDreamer said:

Thank you. I generally start with a goal and then brainstorm what activities, habits, or behaviors can help me achieve that goal. I don't necessarily expect to complete everything on the list but I do expect to take a balanced approach towards reaching my goal. Does that make sense?

 

That is a great idea! Sometimes I feel like I create challenges that have great individual tasks but kind of miss the mark when it comes to the actual intent and spirit of the goal. I feel like your approach gives a lot of flexibility and variety when it comes to individual tasks, but really honors the intent of the overarching goal.

[Snarkyfishguts]

Sometimes walking away is the best option when family is making you that angry. And its always difficult when its about relatives gone. I didnt have nice grandparents. The closest I had was my grandfather who would get along with me for a while but then would also make fun of me. he treated everyone differently, and everyone had different reactions to his passing. Their experiences and feelings are theirs, and you can keep yours and know they are what is your experiences and truth. 
 

meditating with actual rain sounds amazing. I love the sound of rain. Especially since its not on a loop  

[WolfDreamer]

On 2/22/2020 at 9:25 AM, Aquarii said:

 

That is a great idea! Sometimes I feel like I create challenges that have great individual tasks but kind of miss the mark when it comes to the actual intent and spirit of the goal. I feel like your approach gives a lot of flexibility and variety when it comes to individual tasks, but really honors the intent of the overarching goal.

 

On 2/22/2020 at 10:05 PM, Snarkyfishguts said:

Sometimes walking away is the best option when family is making you that angry. And its always difficult when its about relatives gone. I didnt have nice grandparents. The closest I had was my grandfather who would get along with me for a while but then would also make fun of me. he treated everyone differently, and everyone had different reactions to his passing. Their experiences and feelings are theirs, and you can keep yours and know they are what is your experiences and truth. 
 

meditating with actual rain sounds amazing. I love the sound of rain. Especially since its not on a loop  

 

Thank you both. It's amazing that I am still growing and learning and maturing, even though I'm 40. Every day of life is a lesson no matter how old you are.

 

Sorry for the lack of updates. I had a particularly difficult assignment due this weekend, so most of my computer time was spent on that.

 

Mostly, I feel Week 1 of the challenge went well. I stayed fairly balanced and within the elements. I felt really good about most things, although I confess that I rushed through one of my school assignments and took the safe route rather than the creative route. My instructor must have noticed because I lost five points and she commented that I am usually more intuitive and that I should be creative. Noted. I'll be more creative next time. Honestly, it's just because I was being lazy and didn't want to be creative. But I get it. We have too many school leaders who play it safe and just want to do more of the same but not enough leaders who are creative, innovative, and take risks. I'm more of a risk taker, so it really bothers me that I performed out of character. It means a lot that my professor noticed, though. This means I have made an impression up to this point.

 

Still making plans for our 13+ mile run. Here is a map of the area. This isn't the best map of the trails, but it serves the purpose:

 

 

As you can see, we have plenty of ground to cover. I joked with the guys that we could go longer than 13 if they felt up to it (which is why I keep saying 13+). I even said we could make it an ultra. Of course they both basically said ummm... no.

 

Sunday I attended the church that my parents and brother and sister-in-law attend. It was my first time at any church in months. I went because my brother was preaching his first sermon ever. He did really well. He combined two things he loves very much: Jesus Christ and working out. Honestly, it reminded me of a sermon that Cody Bobay (founder of Soulcon) might preach. It felt... nice to be in a church again. I don't know that I'm ready to start attending regularly (and it most likely wouldn't be that church), but I did miss gathering to worship together.

 

So here's my update for yesterday:

 

Week 2, Monday:

 

Water:

• not off to a good start; overslept, so no cold shower, but I washed my hair in cold water and took a "horse bath" with cold water
• I drank plenty of water
• I completed my entire 15 minute workout with a mouthful of water; this was just something I decided to try after reading a challenge in Joe De Sena's book Spartan Fit. It both tests your will (can't swallow the water or spit it out) and forces you to breathe through your nose. While there is research to support nasal breathing, it really isn't recommended to obstruct your mouth during an intense workout or if you have any pre-existing breathing or heart conditions because it does make it harder to breathe and elevates your heart rate.
• took the dogs outside while barefoot and shirtless; felt the cool morning mist on my skin
• worked through some movements and stretches while outside with the dogs
• read a few pages of the book The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming by Tessa Wardley

• paused during my trail run to listen to the nearby creek

Earth:

• stood barefoot at the top of the hill while outside with the dogs
• ate a Clif dark chocolate mocha energy bar for breakfast
• sprinted up a hill during my trail run
• workout included some ground movements and some planking
• lunch included fried potatoes, a stuffed green pepper, and fried chicken (and I totally just almost typed "friend chicken")
• had to crawl in the mud under my house after my tiny cat got out and ran under there

Fire:

• not much sunlight but some; walked around campus during the brightest part of the day, and also got some sun during my run
• expressed my frustration to my supervisor about one of our program's policies that needs reviewed
• completed a 15 minute workout with a mouthful of water (see above). Warmup plus three rounds of the following:
  • clap jacks (40 seconds)
  • punches (40 seconds)
  • reverse plank (40 seconds)
  • triceps dip (40 seconds)
• practiced Tummo breathing for about 5 minutes
• had a stuffed green pepper with lunch and topped my fried potatoes with Texas Pete hot sauce
• watched an episode of 911 Lonestar, which is about firefighters in Texas, so that counts, right?

Air: 

• was mindful of my breath during my workout (especially since I had to breathe through my nose)
• ran a mile and a half on the trails in a tank top so I could feel the unseasonably warm air on my arms. I also tested out my new hydration vest:

• warmup and workout included cardio
• snacked on Craisins and sunflower seeds
• read an International Journal of Exercise Science study about the effects of nasal or oral breathing on anaerobic power output and and metabolic responses

[Snarkyfishguts]

I’m turning 40 in november! I had a conversation with a girl who grew up with facebook, amd I’m like noooooo I remember dial up!

 

 

how is the hydration vest? 

[WolfDreamer]

1 hour ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

I’m turning 40 in november! I had a conversation with a girl who grew up with facebook, amd I’m like noooooo I remember dial up!

 

 

how is the hydration vest? 

 

I have an antique rotary phone next to my desk at work. It is fun watching my students play with it and try to figure it out. It also makes me feel old.

 

The vest is great. I knew I couldn't swing for a more expensive vest (i.e. something made my Salomon), and this one had really good reviews. Other than getting used to wearing it during my runs (which is why I'm testing it out, even on short runs), it's really great. It's light, even after I put some energy bars and gels in the back pouch. It has two spots for water bottles. As of now I just have two small plastic bottles, but maybe eventually I'll buy some collapsible ones. It also can fit a 2.5L bladder in the back, but I'm not a big fan of bladders for running. I have a hiking pack with a bladder that I wore once and tried out some running with it, but it sloshed around a lot and rubbed my shoulders. I mean, it wasn't meant for running, but I have read complaints from others about using bladders when running.

 

This guy posted a pretty great review of the vest: