Theophilus Keeps Doing the Things (and adds a thing)

[theophilus]

For the first time in a few years, I feel like I have a decent foundation of habits and some nascent quasi-routines that are actually contributing to my health and well-being. (As opposed to those default routines--like a coffee and danish on the way to class everyday--that just made me feel like crap.) So, I don't want to get carried away and muck it all up with lofty ambitious goals. I'm just going to keep on doing what I've been doing. Ok, I'm also adding one thing, because I can't help myself. But just one thing. 

 

Do the Thing: Run

 

My thing is running, so that's the thing I'm going to do. I've been running 4-5x/week, about 10-15 miles a week, following a half marathon plan. But there aren't any races on the horizon, so I've been focused less on progressing through the plan as making sure I do something from it. I'm going to stick with the plan this challenge and make sure that I do one week--any week--of training each week. Which week? Who knows... I 'm just going to see how I feel. Imight keep progressing through it. I might repeat weeks. I might dial it back a week. 

 

Do the Next Thing: Eat

 

I've been logging food religiously for a few weeks now, and I feel so much better and am starting to drop a few of the pounds that I've added over the years. I'd love to drop another ~15 to get back to fighting trim, so I'll stick with the logging and trying to hit calorie goals. 

 

Do the Other Thing: Sleep

 

The school year is almost here, which means earlier mornings. I've been waking up most days around 7:00 AM to start to get ready for that. I'll stick with that for this challenge

 

Add A Thing: Pull

 

I want to add some strength training to my regimen. With limited access to a gym (thanks COVID) and limited time (thanks... life), that means finding something at home. Got the emails about the pull-up challenge and figure that's a good place to start. I'll follow the progression for that this challenge. 

 

I've got my eyes on a hydration pack or some high visibility garb for the winter months. If I can do the things for this challenge, that might give me the excuse I need to purchase one of them.

[theophilus]

Ran an interesting out and back speed run today. Ran out 12 minutes, then turned around and tried to cover the same distance back in 11. Didn’t quite get the full distance back, maybe 15-20 seconds short. 
 

But I did see a woman with a pool noodle attached to her shoulder to encourage social distancing, so that was something...

[Kestrel Grey]

2 hours ago, theophilus said:

 

But I did see a woman with a pool noodle attached to her shoulder to encourage social distancing, so that was something...

 

It would create an interesting running experience if everyone had them...

[theophilus]

3 hours ago, Kestrel Grey said:

 

It would create an interesting running experience if everyone had them...

Maybe in a generation or so, after we’ve all worked through the trauma of this time, there will be social distancing themed races where everyone wears four noodles, one pointing in each direction. Kinda like color runs, but with a new twist. 

[Xena]

That's a cool workout idea!

[theophilus]

Ran another 10k today. Ran along the Charles River here, and got far enough to see downtown Boston across the river and the building I would have been working in this summer had it not been for COVID. Bittersweet...

 

Anyhow, it was a good run, fastest 10k since I’ve been running more seriously again. Feeling good about that. 

[Xena]

On 8/1/2020 at 11:52 AM, theophilus said:

Anyhow, it was a good run, fastest 10k since I’ve been running more seriously again.

Impressive in summer heat!

 

I could see it being sad to run past the building. Better times ahead...

[Strickland5]

Run - Eat - Sleep - Pull  - Repeat ?

[theophilus]

Weird (but good) week. Had a family camping trip planned for the latter part of the week and probably should have adjusted for this at the start of the challenge. Between dadding full time while the Mrs. contends with final exams and prepping for the trip, I lost focus on the goals I set out for the  challenge. But the camping trip was a great few days away with the fam, with some good hiking and nature baked in. Almost went for a trail run. We're going to do another short trip later in the month, and I'm thinking a trail run is definitely in the cards for that trip. 

 

Anyhow, back home now with a clear head (thanks nature) and a renewed focus for the remaining four weeks of the challenge. 

[Xena]

That sounds great! Camping sounds fantastic.

[theophilus]

Marching along. Three runs so far this week. Decided to start my training plan from the top again to focus on speed a bit more and it seems to be working. So far I’m running the same runs faster than I did six weeks ago when I ran them for the first time. 
 

All the other challenges are a bit of a mixed bag right now. 

[Kestrel Grey]

Yay for hard evidence that you're getting faster!  Is it the exact same program you did 6 weeks ago, or is it modified for the speed focus?

[theophilus]

The stress monster is real, y’all. Derailed the last few days for sure. Trying to get back at it this way. Reincorporating meditation to try to navigate it all a bit better. 
 

On 8/14/2020 at 1:52 AM, Kestrel Grey said:

Yay for hard evidence that you're getting faster!  Is it the exact same program you did 6 weeks ago, or is it modified for the speed focus?

 

Same program, which already included a couple speed runs each week. So I’ve just upped the effort during those too. 

[Xena]

On 8/17/2020 at 4:01 PM, theophilus said:

The stress monster is real, y’all. Derailed the last few days for sure.

 

It is definitely real. If at least some of the causes were short-term, I'm hoping they've settled down. You have a great track record of re-setting after legitimately crazy periods.