Adventure... excitement... a Jedi craves not these things

[JediNickD]

This six week challenge is going to be all about changing the way I view running. And I already started it today with my first Zombie Run! I have always hated running just for conditioning. When playing rugby, I would force myself to run outside of practice, but it was easier, because I was usually in pretty decent shape and it was maybe once a week. These days, I don't have rugby practice to keep me in shape or help get me there. Since Febuary, I have done well running and improving my running times, but distance and consistency are still difficult, because I get bored of it. I've been running on a treadmill while watching the 6 TVs at the gym and listening to music, but it isn't enough. I believe the Zombie, Run! application which just became available for the Android will make a difference, because it is playing a video game in real life. I'm not going to worry about my run times, so long as I can make the distance.

FITNESS GOALS:

1) Jog 3 times a week. +1 STA +1 CON

2) Jog 5 miles a week. +1 STA +1 CON

3) Preacher Curl 3 reps 140 lbs. Leg Press 3 reps 700 lbs. +2 STR

4) Box Jumps 26" high 5 sets 10 reps. +2 DEX

DIETARY GOALS:

5) No chips or French fries for 13 of 14 lunches and dinners each week. +1 WIS

6) No more than 4 Dr Pepper cans a week. +1 CON

LIFE GOALS:

7) Complete Toastmasters Competent Communicator Manual Lesson #3. +1 WIS +2 CHA

8) Brush and floss 6 nights a week. +1 WIS +1 CHA

I set a few more goals than are recommended, but these are all goals which I would be working towards anyways so why not include them here, right?

Right now, I'm can do 3 reps of 125 lbs on the preacher curl, 10 reps of 575 lbs for the leg press (without sled weight of 118 lbs), and 5 sets of 10 reps at 21" high on the box jumps. For the next six weeks, I'm going to push these maximums to their limits.

So I have been bad with eating chips and drinking soda. A couple manageable goals should help curb my intact of these particular junk foods.

Also, I had a dentist visit last week. Too much plaque, potential cavity, and not enough flossing. I brush in the morning, but too often I skip night time brushing and flossing. Six nights a week should be easy so long as I keep up with my four year old.

Daily, I will track my Dietary and Life goal progress here. I track my fitness in my Jedi Training Journal (link in sig), so I won't reproduce that here, but I will update my progress weekly.

[griffter911]

Wow, that leg press goal is impressive. Where are you at right now?

[Jackie]

Ooh, how was the zombie run? There's going to be one in my area in November. Running isn't my forte, but I'm considering signing up just for the zombies.

Curious to see the rest of it tomorrow.

[JediNickD]

Wow, that leg press goal is impressive. Where are you at right now?

I'm at 575 lbs for 10 reps, but I hit 660 in 3 reps five weeks ago. I had minor surgery, which had me rest and recover for two weeks. I had the 700 lb goal set to be met by August 15th, but I figured I was ahead of schedule and could knock it out.

The box jumps and curls will probably be much harder to meet.

[JediNickD]

Ooh, how was the zombie run? There's going to be one in my area in November. Running isn't my forte, but I'm considering signing up just for the zombies.

Curious to see the rest of it tomorrow.

Oh, not a real Zombie Run, but I'd like to do that at some point too. I was talking about the running application for smart phones. ;-)

[Loren Wade]

You're brave to brave those box jumps... let me know if I can help with anything!

[Haikoo]

I picked up Zombies, RUn! also I've been thinking about it for months and finally decided to do it for this challenge. It's great fun!

[JediNickD]

UPDATE

Fitness:

• Did 610 for 5 reps twice on the leg press. Going for 650 next week.
  
• I've jogged 4 miles in two runs already this week! Going for 6.5 miles in 4 runs to complete the mini-challenge. If I do 2 miles on Friday, then I can do a short run on the weekend to complete it.
  
• Box jumps and preacher curls tomorrow!
  

Dietary:

• Ate chips on Monday with lunch. I'll have to be good the rest of the week.
  
• 2 Dr Peppers on Monday. Bad start, but none yesterday! I'm looking to drink none until Sunday, because I have to drive a 4 hour run trip in the evening that day. I'll likely need the caffiene from 2 Dr Peppers.
  

Life:

• Working on speech today. I have an opening, conclusion, and outline for the body. I should complete it this week. I'm going to sign up to deliver it on the 10th of July.
  
• I've brush and flossed both nights this week.
  

[JediNickD]

UPDATE 6/21

Fitness:

• Did 3 sets of 10 reps of Box Jumps at 26" high and I was exhausted and light headed. Going to have to push the sets at 21" high so I can build my strength and stamina for the 26" high jumps. Right on pace to meet my goal.
  
• The peacher curl bench and machine were monopolized today. I did some standing curls instead. Tomorrow I'll do a Stone Check on the preacher curl before heading out on my run.
  

[JediNickD]

UPDATE 6/22

Mini-Challenge #1: I ran 2.5 miles today, so I have my weekly mileage covered. Now, I just need to get out and run one more time tomorrow or Sunday, distance does not matter.

[griffter911]

Looking shit hot on those goals man, box jumps are the best aren't they? I actually destroyed my leg doing them. I got up to about 36" and when I thried to bump it up another 2 inches, I used a brick wall... needless to say, the brick wall won

[JediNickD]

Looking shit hot on those goals man, box jumps are the best aren't they? I actually destroyed my leg doing them. I got up to about 36" and when I thried to bump it up another 2 inches, I used a brick wall... needless to say, the brick wall won

Ouch! I'll stick to the plastic boxes...

[JediNickD]

UPDATE 6/23

Mini-Challenge #1: I ran 1.8 miles this morning. Zombies couldn't keep up! Challenge Complete!

+1 STA Awarded!

[Haikoo]

Woot! Congrats on evading the zombies

[JediNickD]

WEEK 1 ANALYSIS

Fitness:

• Progressing on Leg Press and Box Jumps
  
• Four runs and 8.3 miles this week!
  
• Preacher curls will be focus of Week 2.
  

Dietary:

• Ate chips on Monday with lunch. Did well until Sunday when I accidently ate one chip with dip and took a second. I touched so I ate it. I wasn't thinking about the chips or my goals. I just wanted to try the interesting looking dip. I caught myself, which is good, and I didn't eat anymore. I'm calling it a pass, but if I have to keep myself from doing it again.
  
• 2 Dr Peppers on Monday. 2 Dr Peppers on Sunday. Pass!
  

Life:

• Speech is mostly written. I have a bit of editting and I need to practice it for time and memorization. I should be ready to deliver it by Week 3. I'm going to sign up to deliver it on the 10th of July, which would be Week 4. Gives myself some flexibility.
  
• I've brush and flossed every night except Sunday. Pass!
  

[deerskin]

Great job on week one! Way to smash your mileage goal. That's awesome!

[JediNickD]

WEEK 2 Progress Update

Fitness:

• No Leg Press and Box Jumps this week. Instead, I did squats and lunges. My hamstrings are still sore.
  
• Two runs and 5.0 miles with one run left to go. If my legs feel better tomorrow, then I'll run tomorrow. I'll probably rest them another day. I can run while in Montreal on Saturday or Sunday. Maybe Geocache, too!
  
• I'm behind the ball on Preacher Curls, because I'm still at 125 lbs. I need to do Dumbell Curls to get my forearms strong enough to do the Preacher Curls.
  

Dietary:

• No chips yet. Might eat some weird flavor chips in Montreal this weekend.
  
• 1 Dr Pepper so far. Planning one each for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Life:

• Speech is mostly written. I have a bit of editting and I need to practice it for time and memorization. I've made no progess this week, yet.
  
• I've brush and flossed every night.
  

[blindasutsutsu]

Ooh, how was the zombie run? There's going to be one in my area in November. Running isn't my forte, but I'm considering signing up just for the zombies.

Curious to see the rest of it tomorrow.

The Run for YOur Life Zombie run for Colorado is here in a couple weeks I will make sure to post pics and such on my page when i do it. I signed up to be a chaser zombie with JPAN from the Scouts Guild.

Nick your goals are awesome!! Good luck with all of them especially the preacher curls (I hates preacher curls sooo much but they are great). I am sure your leg press technique is good but be sure to have full control of your motion when doing that amount of weight. I see so many people at the gym load up a sled then have bad form on it, this can lead to really bad knee issues. 700lbs is a huge goal though so like I said I am sure you have your technique down! I also did a soda give up I always found myself grabbing one cause I was "tired" but I think that was because I wanted the sugar more than anything, great goal good luck with it!

[JediNickD]

WEEK 2 ANALYSIS

Fitness:

• Didn't work on Leg Press or Box Jumps, but I did do lunges and squats. I think I can get most of the way there between Friday and Monday.
  
• Four runs and 7.0 miles this week! Pass!
  
• Worked on Preacher Curls, 125 lbs for 3-5 reps or 130 lbs for 1-3 reps. Needs more work.
  

Dietary:

• Avoided chips and French fries until Sunday dinner when I had fries with my burger. Pass!
  
• Drank 1 Dr Pepper on Tuesday, then avoided Dr Pepper until Friday when I drank 1, then another 2 between Saturday and Sunday. Since my goal is counting 12 fl oz cans, the 20 fl oz bottles I purchased while on travel made tracking this a bit harder, but I was careful. Pass!
  

Life:

• No real progress on my speech, but I'm going to sign up to deliver it on the 10th of July, which would be Week 4. It is mostly written and just needs some revising and rehearsing.
  
• I've brush and flossed every night except Sunday. Pass!
  

Note: I have vacation at the end of this month, which means I need to complete my lifting goals on or before July 20th. Not a problem if I lift three times a week, but that moves on of my jogging days to the weekend. Running on the weekend has not been an issue yet, but I know it can be.

[JediNickD]

The Run for YOur Life Zombie run for Colorado is here in a couple weeks I will make sure to post pics and such on my page when i do it. I signed up to be a chaser zombie with JPAN from the Scouts Guild.

Nick your goals are awesome!! Good luck with all of them especially the preacher curls (I hates preacher curls sooo much but they are great). I am sure your leg press technique is good but be sure to have full control of your motion when doing that amount of weight. I see so many people at the gym load up a sled then have bad form on it, this can lead to really bad knee issues. 700lbs is a huge goal though so like I said I am sure you have your technique down! I also did a soda give up I always found myself grabbing one cause I was "tired" but I think that was because I wanted the sugar more than anything, great goal good luck with it!

Thanks, man! Always good to get a reminder to check your form. I am a little crazy about having a good form, especially when it comes to knees, because I wrecked one doing squats wrong in high school. I've been very careful ever since.

[JediNickD]

WEEK 3 PROGRESS UPDATE

Fitness:

• Didn't work on Leg Press this week, but I did improve my Box Jumps: 4 sets of 10 reps at 26" (5 sets of 10 reps at 21") in one workout! Leg Press 660 lbs on Monday, Box Jumps 5 sets at 26" on Friday.
  
• Two runs and 4.0 miles so far. One more run and one more mile this weekend.
  
• Preacher Curls: 130 lbs... go for 135 lbs on Monday.

Dietary:

• After our party on the 4th, there were bags of chips on the counter. So tempting, but I didn't give in. Instead, I collected the bags and sent them flying to the top shelf where they'd be out of reach and out of sight.
  
• 2 Dr Peppers this week. Let's see if I can make it through the weekend with only one more!

Life:

• Speech is ready, but I'm not. I'll be practicing more over the weekend and definitely on Monday. Set to present on Tuesday!
  
• I've brush and flossed every night so far.

Mini-Challenge #3

• Rucking COMPLETE
  
• Moved +125,000 lbs with mostly body weight exercises! Rawr!
  
• By end of Sunday, I want to be in the top 3 contributors. Keep moving moar weight!

[Librarian of Doom]

Great progress!!! High five for not giving in to temptation!

[JediNickD]

WEEK 3 ANALYSIS

Fitness:

• Box Jumps: 4 sets of 10 reps at 26" on Friday. Leg Press: 4 sets of 3-5 reps of 680 lbs on Monday. I'm right on track!
  
• Three runs and 5.5 miles. Pass!
  
• Preacher Curls: 3 reps of 135 lbs on Monday. Almost there!

Dietary:

• Chips on Sunday. Pass!
  
• 4 Dr Peppers this week. Pass!

Life:

• Speech is ready and I rehearsed a bit, but I'm not ready yet. I'll be practicing more tonight and Tuesday morning.
  
• I brushed and flossed every night this past week. Pass!

Mini-Challenge #3

• Rucking COMPLETE
  
• Moved +270,000 lbs with mostly body weight exercises! Rawr!

WEEK 4 GOALS

Fitness:

• Complete Box Jump goal on Friday. Complete Leg Press goal on Monday.
  
• Three runs for 6.0 miles.
  
• Complete Preacher Curls goal on Monday.

Dietary:

• Stave off chips until Sunday again.
  
• 3 Dr Peppers this week.

Life:

• Speech on Tuesday.
  
• Brush and floss every night this week.

Mini-Challenge #4

• Do one Fartlek with one of my weekly jogs.
  
• Do Tabata cycles with my evening bodyweight workouts.

[JediNickD]

Great progress!!! High five for not giving in to temptation!

Thanks!

[JediNickD]

WEEK 4 ANALYSIS

Fitness:

• Box Jumps: 5 sets of 10 reps at 26" on Thursday. Coin Box EMPTY! Leg Press: 4 sets of 3-5 reps of 680 lbs on Monday. 20 lbs away!
  
• Three runs and 4.3 miles. Short on miles. I could list my excuses, but who cares, right? Going to have to kick its ass the next two weeks to make up for it.
• Preacher Curls: 3 reps of 140 lbs this morning. COMPLETE!

Dietary:

• Chips on Tuesday. Pass!
  
• 3 Dr Peppers this week. Pass!

Life:

• Toastmasters Speech Lesson COMPLETE!
  
• I brushed and flossed every night except Saturday this past week. Pass!

Mini-Challenge #4

• Fartlek COMPLETE
  
• Tabata COMPLETE

WEEK 5 GOALS

Fitness:

• Complete Leg Press goal on Tuesday.
  
• Three runs for 7.0 miles.
  
• Complete Preacher Curls goal on Monday. {CHECK}

Dietary:

• Stave off chips and fries until Sunday.
  
• 1 Dr Pepper between Monday and Friday afternoon, 3 between Friday afternoon (5 hour drive) and Sunday.

Life:

• Brush and floss every night this week.

Mini-Challenge #5

• Row 5 km (3.1 miles) and/or run 3 km (1.8 miles)