Absidey's Getting to the Point Challenge

[Absidey]

Sorry- that one really was TMI, wasn't it? Sometimes the filters just don't work.... But the point is that with enough training, no matter what the situation, your reactions will take over and you'll do the right thing at the right time. YOu're determined, you're training hard, you'll get there.

It wasn't TMI; and it's really awesome. My uncle has been to Kuwait twice and Iraq once, and it doesn't matter how cool his stories are, I always want to give him a hug for them too.

In other news, I hurt! I hate running. I tried to be very thorough with my stretching last night, but my calves are blocks of painful concrete today. Ugh.

Week 1 Targets

Action: 8/10 pts

Handstand progression - 1 pt

Diet: 10/10 pts

Track - 1 pt

Nothing Stupid - 1 pt

Mobility: 6/7 pts

Moar! Stretching! - 1 pt

Relax: 2/2 pts

91% for the first week isn't bad. I'll put up my targets for next week tomorrow.

[Kuiken]

Don't worry- you will. Just keep training for it- the key is to get to the point you know what to do and then do it automatically in that situation. Like the time I was taking a whiz outside when the mortar round came overhead- I ducked automatically and without thinking before I truly realized what was going on, and still managed to avoid peeing on myself. I am still so proud of that moment.

Awesome! But I have to ask-how were you training to dodge mortars while peeing?! Like do you often tuck and roll mid-whiz for practice? I mean I know you have to be on alert for anything at all times, but were there drills for this? Should I add this to my workout routine or will I be safe since I'm female and am already in a ducking position while doing my business? INQUIRING MINDS MUST KNOW!

And way to start off week 1 with 91%!!!

[CyningaDena]

Like do you often tuck and roll mid-whiz for practice? I mean I know you have to be on alert for anything at all times, but were there drills for this?

Ohhh man, why was this never a Monty Python sketch?

Excellent work for the first week, Abs! Way to get that momentum rolling.

[Thilde]

Week 1 Targets

Action: 8/10 pts

Handstand progression - 1 pt

Diet: 10/10 pts

Track - 1 pt

Nothing Stupid - 1 pt

Mobility: 6/7 pts

Moar! Stretching! - 1 pt

Relax: 2/2 pts

91% for the first week isn't bad. I'll put up my targets for next week tomorrow.

91% is pretty gosh dang excellent! Way to go. Can't wait to see what you do this week!

[Samunwal]

Awesome! But I have to ask-how were you training to dodge mortars while peeing?! Like do you often tuck and roll mid-whiz for practice? I mean I know you have to be on alert for anything at all times, but were there drills for this? Should I add this to my workout routine or will I be safe since I'm female and am already in a ducking position while doing my business? INQUIRING MINDS MUST KNOW!

And way to start off week 1 with 91%!!!

Ohhh man, why was this never a Monty Python sketch?

Excellent work for the first week, Abs! Way to get that momentum rolling.

K- If you're ducking REALLY low, I'm gonna say you're pretty safe already.

CD- "No no no Johnson!! It's pinch, THEN roll!! Now clean off Davis and get back in line!"

Abs- great job! Good first week!!

[Absidey]

Thanks much, for all the goodness. Imma get cocky and think I really can do all the things.

CD- "No no no Johnson!! It's pinch, THEN roll!! Now clean off Davis and get back in line!"

LOL! It could work for Mel Brooks, too. I could easily see a scene like that sneaking into History of the World: Part 1. If only!

_____________

Week 2 Targets

Action: 7 pts

Diet: 11 pts

Mobility: 7 pts

Relax: 4 pts

I’m stepping back my action goal a bit, because I am worn the heck out. I would like to have a little bit of energy for a ranger challenge if we do another. I managed 10 burpees, which was pretty laughable considering what some of you other rockstars knocked out. There was one attempt that I got down on the floor that it felt so good I stayed there. Another turned into a tickle fight with Kate, but that’s to be expected. I tried one set with her on my back, and THAT was interesting. This week, my office is going to the state fair, which will make a couple of pts for 1) being outside and 2) being active with other people. (3 pts) So between that and my lifting, I’m only asking myself for one additional session of moving my ass.

That leads into my diet too, which I’m only nudging up a tiny bit to encourage fewer bite-size snickers indulgences. (I swear, when they came into the office, I heard Doomsday music. Snickers are my favorite.) For the state fair on Friday, I’m allowing 2 items of splurge rather than the no-stupid point. We’ve got a lot of om-nom events this month, so I can’t just give myself a pass.

The mobility goal is the same, which just works out to stretching and doing my tibialis exercise after every workout, plus 1 bonus thing (yoga?). More on the Relax goal, which I’m increasing until I find a good balance.

Now, for everyone that doesn’t live in Texas, they fry weird shit here. Every year at the state fair, there’s a contest for new fried foods. This year’s overall winner is fried jambalaya, which kind of sounds good. Not always the case. The Most Creative winner is Fried Bacon Cinnamon Roll, which I’m skeptical about. Also on the list:

Chicken Fried Cactus Bites (I’m curious)

Deep Fried Mac & Cheese Slider (looks like just the mac is fried, not the whole slider)

Deep Fried Devine Tres Leches Cake

Picnic on a Stick (spicy chicken, tator tots, and pickles)

Fried Sugar Cubes (always something stupid)

Last year they had chicken fried bacon. Looks like they took it to the next level this year and dipped the bacon in chocolate, rolled it in candy sprinkles, and THEN deep fried it. It gets a little ridiculous. There are more here and some funny descriptions: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/cityofate/2012/09/fried_breaking_news_fried_jamb.php#more Sometimes it’s gross (fried coke), sometimes good (fried PB&J w/ banana). Some are stupid (butter and bubblegum). Plus all the normal fair food, corn dogs and funnel cake and whatnot. (Fried alligator is normal here, too.) It’s so bad we can’t do it every year; we have to skip one or two between.

Now I just have to decide what I get to try. Cactus? Fried jumbalaya? Cup of Trash?

I'm still a bit sore from Saturday, so I'm going to do my lifting T/TH/Sat this week. I'm going to try really hard for a soak in the hot tub in there somewhere, too.

[Thilde]

I would be ALL OVER that fried bacon cinnamon roll. One of my favorite kitchen adventures was making chocolate-chip-candied-bacon cookies. Holy. Crap. I will put bacon in anything, I swear.

Fried cactus sounds kindof fun! That might be something I'd try. Hey, will you take pictures of your weird fried stuff so we non-Texans can see?

Our fair (we went a couple weekends ago) had fried mac n cheese but that was as nuts as it got. Mainers don't fry weird stuff at fairs. The Maine thing is "mix weird stuff with mayonnaise and call it Salad." :::shudder:::

On actual goal-related stuff, sounds like you're listening to your body by easing up a little bit on your action goal...sometimes you just gotta do that, I've found. It'll pay off in the long run. And your 10 burpees are nothing to sneeze at! Every burpee counts.

[Absidey]

I would be ALL OVER that fried bacon cinnamon roll. One of my favorite kitchen adventures was making chocolate-chip-candied-bacon cookies. Holy. Crap. I will put bacon in anything, I swear.

I usually like sweet-salty stuff, but I kind of like my bacon to just be bacon. I don't really want it mixed into anything, sweet or savory, though I don't exactly dislike it. I'm sure Bobby will try it when we go later this month, though, so I'll let you know how it is.

Fried cactus sounds kindof fun! That might be something I'd try. Hey, will you take pictures of your weird fried stuff so we non-Texans can see?

Sure. Most of it looks like fried blobs of batter, but some of it looks cool.

Our fair (we went a couple weekends ago) had fried mac n cheese but that was as nuts as it got. Mainers don't fry weird stuff at fairs. The Maine thing is "mix weird stuff with mayonnaise and call it Salad." :::shudder:::

That does sound pretty vile.. How 'bout Utah's thing: weird stuff mixed in jello and called salad! Everywhere has something... That might make a neat photo book!

On actual goal-related stuff, sounds like you're listening to your body by easing up a little bit on your action goal...sometimes you just gotta do that, I've found. It'll pay off in the long run.

I know that, but I still have to get "yelled" at every so often to remind me. I get impatient.

Week 2 Targets

Action: 0/7 pts

Diet: 2/11 pts

Tracking - 1 pt

No stupid things - 1 pt

Mobility: 0/7 pts

Relax: 0/4 pts

Workout 2B tonight!

And a quiet aside, because I don't want to jinx it.. I have only had one cup of coffee since the start of the challenge, and it was more dessert than coffee. (Small Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte: 36g of sugar! That was definitely one I should have looked up in advance.)

[Samunwal]

Yeah, my wife used to get the caramel apple ciders at Starbucks. Hey, cider, made form apples, right? Then she looked up the nutrition info on it. Scared her catatonic for a couple of hours. Every now again won't hurt, though, as long as you know what you're getting into.

SAMBIE- I want that chocolate chip candied bacon recipe- the family unit will be on that like, like, like, zombies on brains!!

[CyningaDena]

How 'bout Utah's thing: weird stuff mixed in jello and called salad!

LOL! I was raised in an offshoot of the Brethren tradition, and I still giggle about the time my family's church tried to serve a traditional Seder meal to celebrate Passover. They decided that jello would be an acceptable equivalent for bitter greens, since they're both a style of salad. That this church wasn't Jewish is probably obvious when you notice that they were using jello as a symbolic reminder of Israel's ancient slavery under the Egyptians. Ohhh, the bitterness and harshness of strawberry jello with whipped cream and pretzel crumbs on top. Let my people go.

[Absidey]

Ohhh, the bitterness and harshness of strawberry jello with whipped cream and pretzel crumbs on top. Let my people go.

I've been giggling about this since yesterday. Wouldn't green jello have been more appropriate subbed for greens? (Oh, what am I saying..Jello!) hahaha.

Yesterday's tally:

Week 2 Targets

Action: 1/7 pts

Workout 2B (with a 10 lb counting fail) - 1 pt

Diet: 4/11 pts

Tracking - 1 pt

No stupid things - 1 pt

Mobility: 2/7 pts

50! reps 5#, 25 reps 10# - 1 pt

I think I might be getting more limber stretching - 1 pt

Relax: 1/4 pts

7 fidgety minutes - 1 pt

Major success with my unspoken fifth goal: potty training. We dabbled in it before we got the offer for our house, then dropped it until we were moved/settled, and the past couple weeks have been all about the toilet. Kate has been using it semi-regularly at home, but yesterday was the first time she did it at daycare. Up until now, she'd sit on the toilet there, but use her diaper. I would be really excited if she can get out of diapers by her birthday at the end of the month.

[Absidey]

Also? Sprints?! Kill me now!

[Samunwal]

Congrats!! Potty trainED is like, is like, Christmas every day of the week. It's the absolute best, and really is the first step to cutting the umbilical. "Son, from this day forward, I shall never wipe your tuchus again, neither figuratively, nor, and I especially mean NOR, literally."

Sprints- tell me about. Maybe I can just go back outside the wire for a few days....

[Kuiken]

K- If you're ducking REALLY low, I'm gonna say you're pretty safe already.

So going to practice this next time I go hiking.

Now, for everyone that doesn’t live in Texas, they fry weird shit here. Every year at the state fair, there’s a contest for new fried foods. This year’s overall winner is fried jambalaya, which kind of sounds good. Not always the case. The Most Creative winner is Fried Bacon Cinnamon Roll, which I’m skeptical about.

Oh yes-growing up in North Carolina there was always something new fried at the state fair: twinkies, oreos, and the best: coke (the soda, not the drug). I usually just stick to the funnel cake, but I'd be tempted to try the bacon cinna roll.

That does sound pretty vile.. How 'bout Utah's thing: weird stuff mixed in jello and called salad! Everywhere has something... That might make a neat photo book!

"Weird State Foods". I would totally buy it. So I was thinking about how all the states have birds and started wondering "but what about food?". They do. The most interesting so far is Maine with the state soda Moxie and state dessert whoopie pie-sounds like a party to me!

Ohhh, the bitterness and harshness of strawberry jello with whipped cream and pretzel crumbs on top. Let my people go.

I literally LOL'ed (LLOL?) at this. And the husbands all like "what's so funny" and I had no way to even begin explaining this. Especially since I read the second sentence in Cameron's voice from Ferris Buller's Day Off. Maybe the strawberry jello was like the Red Sea? Did the cut it in half and put the pretzels in the middle? Otherwise, I've got nothing but LULZ.

And can I just say SPRINTZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

[Absidey]

I felt really bad about my 10 burpees, so I actually went out to do some sprints. I'm not sure I really did what was intended - I ran back and forth across a tennis court 6 times as fast as I could, with mini breaks at the wall. The internet says a singles court is 27' wide, and it looks like the extra space on either side adds at least another half that. I'm going with 40' for each length, and I did it 6 times. 240' = ~73 meters?

That was enough to make my shins grumble a bit, but they're not screaming, so maybe I can manage it a few more times without disabling myself for a week. Ugh. Sprints. D=

[CyningaDena]

From what I've found on sprints (just starting them myself for my mile running goal, so grain of salt &cetera), that actually looks like a good starting sprint plan. Most stuff I've found says to begin sprinting for somewhere < 20 seconds and take ~twice your sprint time for rest in between. Repeat 6-10 times or until vomitus appears. Sounds like you've got the instincts of a natural born sprinter!

[Absidey]

From what I've found on sprints (just starting them myself for my mile running goal, so grain of salt &cetera), that actually looks like a good starting sprint plan. Most stuff I've found says to begin sprinting for somewhere < 20 seconds and take ~twice your sprint time for rest in between. Repeat 6-10 times or until vomitus appears. Sounds like you've got the instincts of a natural born sprinter!

Well, good to know I'm on track with the theory anyway, thank you. I think I need to find a track somewhere to really practice.

Day 10 Tally - Week 2 Targets

Action: 2/7 pts

Do something outside (sprints) - 1 pt

Diet: 5/11 pts

Tracking - 1 pt

Mobility: 2/7 pts

Relax: 1/4 pts

I'm lifting tonight, so probably no sprints. Depending on how long we're at the fair tomorrow, and how long it takes to ride the train home, I might try to go to the city center trails afterwards. I think a longer path would help me do it a bit better. I wonder if Spezzy would give me an injury dispensation for shin splints? My 74 meters is mocking me. I could do a lot more, I wasn't even sweating yesterday, but I know if I mess up my shins, they keep me from doing a lot more than just running.

[Kuiken]

I felt really bad about my 10 burpees, so I actually went out to do some sprints. I'm not sure I really did what was intended - I ran back and forth across a tennis court 6 times as fast as I could, with mini breaks at the wall. The internet says a singles court is 27' wide, and it looks like the extra space on either side adds at least another half that. I'm going with 40' for each length, and I did it 6 times. 240' = ~73 meters?

That was enough to make my shins grumble a bit, but they're not screaming, so maybe I can manage it a few more times without disabling myself for a week. Ugh. Sprints. D=

From what I've found on sprints (just starting them myself for my mile running goal, so grain of salt &cetera), that actually looks like a good starting sprint plan. Most stuff I've found says to begin sprinting for somewhere < 20 seconds and take ~twice your sprint time for rest in between. Repeat 6-10 times or until vomitus appears. Sounds like you've got the instincts of a natural born sprinter!

Wait-is it sprints or sprint intervals? Because if you sprint the full length of the court and walk/slow jog back then repeat you might can get more sprints in and you'll certainly get more distance in. Plus your shins can have a mini break between sprints

[Absidey]

Day 11 Tally - Week 2 Targets

Action: 3/7 pts

Lifting routine - 1 pt

Diet: 6/11 pts

Tracking - 1 pt

Mobility: 4/7 pts

Stretching - 1 pt

Tibialis flex 45x10#, 35x10# - 1 pt

Relax: 2/4 pts

Meditated 10ish minutes in the sauna, zomg. I'm not sure I liked it. When I went in, there was only 1 other person. When I left, there were like 10. And I couldn't breathe through my nose while I was in there. Very distracting.

State fair today! I don't know if I'll go sprint tonight or not. For the first time, my shins are actually sore from the exercises I did last night. I had to run back upstairs from the truck to grab my phone this morning, and my shins were complaining pretty loudly about it. That is probably a good thing, but maybe a bad thing. Something to keep an eye on either way. I might decrease the weight and increase reps on the tibia thingie, if it the hurt turns into more than worked muscle soreness.

[Absidey]

Wait-is it sprints or sprint intervals? Because if you sprint the full length of the court and walk/slow jog back then repeat you might can get more sprints in and you'll certainly get more distance in. Plus your shins can have a mini break between sprints

I was perplexed by the count the walk/don't count the walk argument, so I was just sprinting back and forth with breaks at the fence holding semi-still. Katie was running back and forth with me, and she was getting a little less than half way in the time I ran all the way. So my break was however long it took her to get to me, give me a high five, and for me to do a ready, set, go count down with moderate screwing around interspersed. It was very scientific. As a bonus, running back and forth for no reason whatsoever is Katie's favorite game, and she was over the moon excited about my playing it with her.

[Samunwal]

I'll look it up again, but the last I saw was that Spezzy said it was count the whole thing, so that's what I'm doing ('cept of course I can only count half since I did it on the elliptical since you can go faster on it. I just know I'm NOT going twice as fast) somce she's in charge of this stuff.

[CyningaDena]

Yup, that's what I understand, too -- count the entire distance you were doing sprint intervals, even the non-sprint parts of those intervals. So really, Abs, your numbers don't reflect your true awesomeness; you just aren't padding them with non-sprints! Plus also, it sounds like you've got a pretty short recovery time in between them. When you go back to running distance, you are going to be sooooo fast!

[Kuiken]

I was perplexed by the count the walk/don't count the walk argument, so I was just sprinting back and forth with breaks at the fence holding semi-still. Katie was running back and forth with me, and she was getting a little less than half way in the time I ran all the way. So my break was however long it took her to get to me, give me a high five, and for me to do a ready, set, go count down with moderate screwing around interspersed. It was very scientific. As a bonus, running back and forth for no reason whatsoever is Katie's favorite game, and she was over the moon excited about my playing it with her.

Sounds like you've got the best personal trainer EVER! Take care of those shins though-you need them in good shape so you can bruise them up deadlifting-LOL. And enjoy the State Fair-pictures of horrifying fried things or it didn't happen!

[Absidey]

Yup, that's what I understand, too -- count the entire distance you were doing sprint intervals, even the non-sprint parts of those intervals. So really, Abs, your numbers don't reflect your true awesomeness; you just aren't padding them with non-sprints! Plus also, it sounds like you've got a pretty short recovery time in between them. When you go back to running distance, you are going to be sooooo fast!

lol! Thanks. But... lol!

Sounds like you've got the best personal trainer EVER! Take care of those shins though-you need them in good shape so you can bruise them up deadlifting-LOL. And enjoy the State Fair-pictures of horrifying fried things or it didn't happen!

Kate really is the best motivation ever. She's in constant motion and faster all the time. I need training just to keep up with her.

And now.... fried food.

1) Fried mac and cheese, which was served in a slider.

2) Fried pumpkin pie! (This was the best thing I tried.)

3) Fried cactus (Think citrusy okra. Kind of. A little bit.)

4) Fried jambalaya (Mostly rice. I was let down. The sauce was cajuny though.)

5) Alligator sausage (Okay, not deep fried, but still cool.)

Not all of that was mine. I tasted the mac and cheese, split the pumpkin pie and jambalaya with someone else, and ate one of the little cactus bits. The sausage was mine, but it was the best option I could find for lunch while everyone else had a corny dog. I also had a sample of blueberry wine, which was delicious!

Day 12 Tally - Week 2 Targets

Action: 6/7 pts

Do something outside - 1 pt

2+ hr activity with others -2 pts

Diet: 8/11 pts

Tracking - 1 pt (I did my best. "Fried cactus" just isn't all that common in the mfp database.)

Stupid items - 1 pt (Two bites, and two halves, I think that counts within my "two items" limits.)

Mobility: 4/7 pts

Relax: 2/4 pts

I ran out of time to go to the city athletic center to use the running track; it closed at 8. I'm going to see if I can get there tomorrow if my lifting in the AM doesn't wipe me out too badly. I can't seem to sprint on a treadmill; I alter my stride for some reason on them. A cold front is coming through, so maybe I'll even get brave and run outside.

[jimmie65]

1) Fried mac and cheese, which was served in a slider.

2) Fried pumpkin pie! (This was the best thing I tried.)

3) Fried cactus (Think citrusy okra. Kind of. A little bit.)

4) Fried jambalaya (Mostly rice. I was let down. The sauce was cajuny though.)

5) Alligator sausage (Okay, not deep fried, but still cool.)

Not all of that was mine. I tasted the mac and cheese, split the pumpkin pie and jambalaya with someone else, and ate one of the little cactus bits. The sausage was mine, but it was the best option I could find for lunch while everyone else had a corny dog. I also had a sample of blueberry wine, which was delicious!

Fried pumpkin pie sounds really good, as does alligator sausage.

Nice progress on the goals.