Slayer Training 101

[The Mouse]

SLAYER TRAINING 101

session A1, spring 2013

[picture to come, hopefully]

Let me tell you a story...
So, I play TeraOnline occasionally (just for fun - until WildStar comes out), and my first character was a male Castanic Slayer. He's this lithe guy who wields a greatsword about the size of his body and can easily knock down giant opponents. It's a ton of fun to play that class - they're a perfect storm of mobility (how, with a giant sword, I don't know) and strength. A wonderful inspiration for training.

While I can't exactly run around killing giant scaly lizard-dog things with a giant-ass sword (most likely illegal), I can at least train my body to handle that kind of thing. Or, y'know, lie to myself that lifting a bar is exactly the same as cleaving a sword... Shh! Let me enjoy my fantasy! It makes me bench harder!

Personal Stats
At the beginning of this challenge, this is what I look like. [Picture link to come]

[info to come!]
Height: 5' 1/4"
Weight: 134lbs (1lb lost over the break, ha ha!)
Neck: 14
Bust: 36
Waist: 36.25
Thigh: 21
Bicep: 10.5
BF: 33%

Vanity Measure (Biggest part of the Belly): 37"


A note on eating: I will be continuing my ketogenic diet. It's been an amazing boon to me so far, and it's proving very sustainable (which is why I'll dedicate this challenge to things that aren't so easy to keep). I will continue my goal of 3 cheat meals allowed during the course of the challenge - this may transform into a side-quest with some non-stat reward.

GOALS

Wield the Greatsword
[sTR +2, +1*]
*if I add 50lbs total spread across all my lifts, I get this, too.

A slayer brandishes a weapon the length and width of his body with ease. Powerful slashes, brutal thrusts, ruthless knockdowns. The strength and power needed to wield such a weapon is astonishing.

Lift. Lift heavy. And do it twice a week at least, following the SS program I built. Including inverse rows instead of overhead press and plank instead of powercleans (still don't know how to do those).

• A: 12 workouts+
• B: 10 workouts
• C: 8 workouts
• F: <8 workouts

It Takes Endurance
[sTA +2, DEX+1]

Between towns and on training runs, Slayers sheath theirs swords and run swiftly to their next destination. There is no walk, there isn't always a horse to ride - but you always have your feet.

In the last two weeks of my previous challenge, I developed right Achilles tendinitis and extremely tight hamstrings. Tight in a bad way. I've been told to lay off running for a while, so I won't start my running challenge until halfway through the challenge, but I will go to karate and if I have a particularly intense session, I may also count that towards my "running" amount, but usually they'll just be counted separately.

** The reason why I'll be counting karate sessions as running sessions is because some of the work we do in the dojo puts a lot of strain on my leg and ankle, so I don't want to ruin a second

challenge by over doing it - if I count an intense session, it's more a way for me to tell myself not to over do it than an attempt to get ahead.

I plan to do the Zombies, Run! 5k Training Program halfway through the challenge - it incorporates a lot of stops, some rests and stretching as well as a mix of running and walking which should enable me to be safe in getting back into running. I'll be aiming at two sessions a week come week 3 of the challenge.

To make this more intense a goal, I'll make it Pass/Fail.

• Pass: 6+ running sessions (remember that intense karate sessions can count towards this)
• Fail: <6 sessions

Focus on Flexibility
[DEX +2, STA +1, CON +2]

Dealing intense damage while looking sleek and graceful isn't easy. A slayer must maintain her flexibility in order to draw upon the necessary acrobatic ability to make full use of her mobile attacks.

I suck at stretching - and I was this close to touching my toes before my hamstrings tightened on me and my legs borked. So now I start again - as much for injury prevention as for increasing my ability to do well in the dojo and in my strength. And to touch my toes.

For this goal, I will commit 15 minutes of every workout to stretching and stretch 15 minutes or more on non-workout days. Ideally, I'll be working out 5 days a week: M W lifting, R running, T S karate.

• A: Every workout!
• B: -1 week
• C: -2 weeks
• D: -3 weeks
• F: <3 weeks

Always Clean Your Sword
[CON +2, WIS +2]

On the battlefield, the Slayer isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Bloodied opponents are no consequence, and things aren't going well unless they're well and messy. But once off the field, the Slayer promptly cleans her sword - a sword's performance and a Slayer's life depend on a pristine blade.

Last challenge, this was my worst performing goal. So I want to give it another shot, with two specific goals in mind and both relating to one project.

I want to chuck out everything I'm not using (my books/notepads/papers/magazines/whatever) and put it in storage or garbage it. Period. No wish-washy but-I'll-miss-this-thing-I-didn't-know-I-still-had. Just throw it. I don't need it. This aspect will be Pass/Fail.

• Pass: It's all gone
• Fail: Some of it is left

I also want to clear space and reorganize my low bookshelf (I want to get rid of my tall bookshelf, or at least all the stuff that's in it). I want half of it to be a personal wellness library - nutrition and fitness books, cookbooks, personal philosophy books and some favourite works of fiction - and the other half to contain a healthy "snack bar" of sorts - containers of various nuts (pecans, almonds, macadamias), keto gummies (maybe - these might have to go in the fridge - maybe I can build one?!), pre-portioned protein powder packs and my various sweeteners. If I get a dehydrator, it'll go in here, too. Also Pass/Fail

• Pass: Bookshelf organized (some unrelated books are related - they will be replaced when the new books come in)
• Fail: Bookshelf still a disaster zone

Finally, I want to keep doing building a habit of keeping my room clean. All the little things. Do a quick clean up on Wednesdays and Saturdays after I put my loads in the laundry. Do some clean up every day and clean as I go.

• A: 5 weeks of cleaning awesome
• B: 3-4 weeks
• F: <3 weeks

Party Formed!
Boyfriend has joined the challenge!

Well, not really - but he's decided he wants to join me unofficially in this challenge. He's given me permission to post on his goals weekly, so I'll pester him for his specific goals and post them once I've gotten them.

[:\\System Start

Boot:\\TERAONLINE

loading****

online

CHARACTERSELECT:\\THEMOUSE

RebellionServer

L24

SLAYER\\CASTANIC

transportingtoSLAYERTRAINING

]yesimanerd

G A M E S T A R T

[SevenFootGeek]

Ah, my old rival returns.

 

You knocked things out of the park last time around, despite your self-flagellation.

 

Your cleaning goals are MUCH more attainable this time around.  With all of the other changes you're making, that will go a very long way to ensuring success.

 

Good luck!

[The Mouse]

Ah ha! We shall battle to the death once more!

 

Thanks - you did an awesome job last challenge, too! Way to get around the injuries!

 

Ha ha, thank you - it pays to know what you can do. I'll be happy when I can have my own little space for snacks. It removes the habit of staring at the bread on the top shelf of the fridge.

Thank you for the vote of confidence - I'm really excited to see how the summer changes me and how I can make this a lasting change through the rest of my life. I can only imagine what next school year will look like.

 

Thanks! Good luck to you too!

[Chef Neem]

Flexibility oddly enough is often neglected in many of the monk challenges I see and yet essential for our craft.

 

Looks to be a great challenge

[The Mouse]

Flexibility oddly enough is often neglected in many of the monk challenges I see and yet essential for our craft.

 

Looks to be a great challenge

 

Agreed - it took me way too long to be able to kick head height when I first started karate. I'm embarrassed that a lot of the older members of my club can out-reach me, so I need to catch up! Plus, I feel like my lack of flexibility really impacts how much snap and power goes into my moves. Being diminutive, I really need to work on speed and maneuverability.

 

Thanks, Chef! :3

I've kinda been silently following you now and again (somehow you remind me of my dad, which is nice) and I really hope to see you around this challenge! Hope your wife has recovered (strep ain't fun) and that your sinusitis has gotten better. While the kids and you may hit the dojo more this summer, why not practice a lot at home with them - get them pumped and primed? I find in our club, the families that practice together at home see the best results and really get engaged in the club.

[Thrillho]

Flexibility will definitely be more of a focus for me as my faculties improve.  I used to be very acrofatic. 

 

Awesome! 

[Bangarang90]

Ah, a fellow Dwarf! Haha

 

I really like your goals! Flexibility is very important for Monks, and I also think your cleaning project is excellent. I've noticed that an organized room/living area leads to a calmer mind...

 

Best of luck to you!

[terrormortus]

See now I have an image of you running around wielding a giant greatsword and that is awesome.

 

Loving the goals, going to be keeping an eye out for inspiration and ideas.

[Kishi]

Goals are looking very good. You've learned a lot from the last challenge. Should be exciting to see you put it into practice.

[Leonine]

Alrighty Mouse, back for more! Your goals are looking great, all super solid. I'm excited to see you whip this challenge into shape!

[Chef Neem]

Agreed - it took me way too long to be able to kick head height when I first started karate. I'm embarrassed that a lot of the older members of my club can out-reach me, so I need to catch up! Plus, I feel like my lack of flexibility really impacts how much snap and power goes into my moves. Being diminutive, I really need to work on speed and maneuverability.

 

Thanks, Chef! :3

I've kinda been silently following you now and again (somehow you remind me of my dad, which is nice) and I really hope to see you around this challenge! Hope your wife has recovered (strep ain't fun) and that your sinusitis has gotten better. While the kids and you may hit the dojo more this summer, why not practice a lot at home with them - get them pumped and primed? I find in our club, the families that practice together at home see the best results and really get engaged in the club.

Thanks for the concern.  We are all on the mend and moving on.  I do plan on having the boys to some Taekwondo related stuff at home but the focus this summer will be more generally active things that can benefit taekwondo as well but mainly instill an active lifestyle.  Things like swimming or hiking trails and tag at the park. Also the whole family is going to try to do lots of bicycling this summer.  I have been working nights for the past 20+ years and now I moinly only work week end nights so I am excited to have some evenings of activity with the family.  

 

I plan on being around this challenge and hopefully getting my oldest daughter in on the challenge.

[Brunehild]

Zombies run ! Yay :-)

[RisenPhoenix]

Goals look awesome, Mouse!  And I +1 the talks about flexibility.  It's so nice to be well stretched for our monnkish nature.  I've been slacking in that regard lately, too.  You may inspire me for the next challenge with that goal!

[The Mouse]

OMG, so much to catch up on. XD

 

 

 

Flexibility will definitely be more of a focus for me as my faculties improve.  I used to be very acrofatic. 

 

Awesome! 

Ha ha, that's an awesome article. :3

Thanks for the encouragement. I shall touch my toes - I shall! If briefly and only on the right foot! *cackles maniacally*

 

 

 

Ah, a fellow Dwarf! Haha

 

I really like your goals! Flexibility is very important for Monks, and I also think your cleaning project is excellent. I've noticed that an organized room/living area leads to a calmer mind...

 

Best of luck to you!

Huzzah! We shall overrun the Monks with our Dwarfish fury! And epic beards! Jammon's a new Dwarf Monk, too - we should so start a Dwarf Monk Party. It will be awesome. And full of short epicness.

 

Thank you! I'm hoping that a clean living area will really help. I've noticed that I'm already cleaning up a lot more than I used to and my floor's been clean over the week break, so I'm happy to see that some of the habits built last challenge are sticking around.

 

Thank you!

 

 

See now I have an image of you running around wielding a giant greatsword and that is awesome.

 

Loving the goals, going to be keeping an eye out for inspiration and ideas.

>w<

I have to try to actually put up a drawing this time. XD

Thank you! 

 

 

Goals are looking very good. You've learned a lot from the last challenge. Should be exciting to see you put it into practice.

I'm really looking forward to it. I feel I'm taking it easy this challenge, but I need to stop trying to put my body six feet under and let myself build a foundation, ha ha!

Thank you for all your support last challenge - and for helping me keep it real. It helps me a lot. :3

 

 

Alrighty Mouse, back for more! Your goals are looking great, all super solid. I'm excited to see you whip this challenge into shape!

Oh, yeah! 

Thank you - I'm really excited to see you kick this one out of the park, too! Or should I say punch? XD

 

 

Thanks for the concern.  We are all on the mend and moving on.  I do plan on having the boys to some Taekwondo related stuff at home but the focus this summer will be more generally active things that can benefit taekwondo as well but mainly instill an active lifestyle.  Things like swimming or hiking trails and tag at the park. Also the whole family is going to try to do lots of bicycling this summer.  I have been working nights for the past 20+ years and now I moinly only work week end nights so I am excited to have some evenings of activity with the family.  

 

I plan on being around this challenge and hopefully getting my oldest daughter in on the challenge.

Glad things are going better. :3

Oh, wow - that sounds like a nice plan for the summer. Lots of hiking trails around? Oh, and tag! Haven't played tag in forever! Still a favourite game. :3

I'm happy you can spend more time with your family - it always makes me happy to hear when dads can spend more time with their kids.

 

Fantastic! I'll have to keep an eye out for you. I feel you're really going to be an inspiration. And sweet! Will she be making a thread as well, or piggy-backing on yours?

 

 

Zombies run ! Yay :-)

Huzzah!

I'm hoping I can get the first intro-mission done this week sometime. Not sure how my leg will hold up to 30 minutes of continuous walking, though. Do you know if I can pause it and come back to it at a later time?

 

 

Goals look awesome, Mouse!  And I +1 the talks about flexibility.  It's so nice to be well stretched for our monnkish nature.  I've been slacking in that regard lately, too.  You may inspire me for the next challenge with that goal!

Ha ha, that might be awesome. I plan to really focus on flexibility for the rest of the summer. As much for injury prevention as for increasing my kicking strength.

 

 

 

 

Can I just say, guys? You're all really awesome. I started off this morning really terribly - my boy missed his bus (well, his bus missed his entire section) and didn't make breakfast, I didn't get today off to spend with my dad on his birthday, my mum and dad are fighting again and our car's pretty messed up. But you guys have really helped me feel great this morning. So y'know what? I'm gonna be productive today. I'm gonna eat the rest of my breakfast, take notes on what I should update on the work website and have an all-round great day. Oh, and write down my workout plan for the first weightlifting workout of the challenge: squats (if they don't aggravate the knee - sit ups if they do), bench and deadlift. And then 15mins of stretching. Oh, yeah.

[Chanee]

OMG I love your goals. I can't wait o follow along and hear more about your diet regime as well  

[Chanee]

OMG, so much to catch up on. XD

 

 

 

Ha ha, that's an awesome article. :3

Thanks for the encouragement. I shall touch my toes - I shall! If briefly and only on the right foot! *cackles maniacally*

 

 

 

Huzzah! We shall overrun the Monks with our Dwarfish fury! And epic beards! Jammon's a new Dwarf Monk, too - we should so start a Dwarf Monk Party. It will be awesome. And full of short epicness.

 

Thank you! I'm hoping that a clean living area will really help. I've noticed that I'm already cleaning up a lot more than I used to and my floor's been clean over the week break, so I'm happy to see that some of the habits built last challenge are sticking around.

 

Thank you!

 

 

>w<

I have to try to actually put up a drawing this time. XD

Thank you! 

 

 

I'm really looking forward to it. I feel I'm taking it easy this challenge, but I need to stop trying to put my body six feet under and let myself build a foundation, ha ha!

Thank you for all your support last challenge - and for helping me keep it real. It helps me a lot. :3

 

 

Oh, yeah! 

Thank you - I'm really excited to see you kick this one out of the park, too! Or should I say punch? XD

 

 

Glad things are going better. :3

Oh, wow - that sounds like a nice plan for the summer. Lots of hiking trails around? Oh, and tag! Haven't played tag in forever! Still a favourite game. :3

I'm happy you can spend more time with your family - it always makes me happy to hear when dads can spend more time with their kids.

 

Fantastic! I'll have to keep an eye out for you. I feel you're really going to be an inspiration. And sweet! Will she be making a thread as well, or piggy-backing on yours?

 

 

Huzzah!

I'm hoping I can get the first intro-mission done this week sometime. Not sure how my leg will hold up to 30 minutes of continuous walking, though. Do you know if I can pause it and come back to it at a later time?

 

 

Ha ha, that might be awesome. I plan to really focus on flexibility for the rest of the summer. As much for injury prevention as for increasing my kicking strength.

 

 

 

 

Can I just say, guys? You're all really awesome. I started off this morning really terribly - my boy missed his bus (well, his bus missed his entire section) and didn't make breakfast, I didn't get today off to spend with my dad on his birthday, my mum and dad are fighting again and our car's pretty messed up. But you guys have really helped me feel great this morning. So y'know what? I'm gonna be productive today. I'm gonna eat the rest of my breakfast, take notes on what I should update on the work website and have an all-round great day. Oh, and write down my workout plan for the first weightlifting workout of the challenge: squats (if they don't aggravate the knee - sit ups if they do), bench and deadlift. And then 15mins of stretching. Oh, yeah.

 

::big hug:: you can eat breakfast anytime. In fact why not have eggs and bacon for dinner Bacon always make me feel happy inside. Did you know you can even make bacon jerky?!

[littlewings]

Not sure how I missed posting here before, but I know you've got this headstrong, anyhow. Here's to week one!

[The Mouse]

OMG I love your goals. I can't wait o follow along and hear more about your diet regime as well

Thank you! >w<

I'll try to post a breakdown of my meals during the day and a summary of what it comes out to - I found it really helped me last time. If you have any questions on it, feel free to ask me! :3

 

I had breakfast for dinner yesterday. XD

I love bacon for dinner! And, yes, I know of bacon jerky! But I lack a dehydrator and can't make any. TAT

Unless there's an oven method...?

 

 

 

Not sure how I missed posting here before, but I know you've got this headstrong, anyhow. Here's to week one!

Ha ha, thanks, LW!

I'll be looking to your challenge a lot for inspiration. Courage Wolf abounds! 

Cheers! *clings glass*

[cob]

How active is your boyfriend in the challenge? Seems like you're working pretty frickin hard!

[Zuel]

Hey Mouse! Just like last time, your setup is really cool! Giant Swords for the win!

 

Can I just say, guys? You're all really awesome. I started off this morning really terribly - my boy missed his bus (well, his bus missed his entire section) and didn't make breakfast, I didn't get today off to spend with my dad on his birthday, my mum and dad are fighting again and our car's pretty messed up. But you guys have really helped me feel great this morning. So y'know what? I'm gonna be productive today. I'm gonna eat the rest of my breakfast, take notes on what I should update on the work website and have an all-round great day. Oh, and write down my workout plan for the first weightlifting workout of the challenge: squats (if they don't aggravate the knee - sit ups if they do), bench and deadlift. And then 15mins of stretching. Oh, yeah.

 

Yeah! Glad to see you going strong despite the setbacks. Bathe in all the support! 

[Chef Neem]

Just breathe and keep going. Life can throw curve balls but it looks like you hit it anyway. The monks are here to cheer you on.

[The Mouse]

How active is your boyfriend in the challenge? Seems like you're working pretty frickin hard!

It's his first time doing anything like this - my progress from last challenge kinda kicked him in gear. He's yet to send me his full write up, but so far we have him on a ketogenic diet as well (except he needs to eat, like, twice what I eat because he's so freaking tall and that's proving to be a real challenge), he aims to lift weights (at home until June 12th, then with me at school after that as his M/W night class will be over) three times a week and add in a bit of cardio. He also wants to get into the habit of shaving every other day.

 

He's got a good plan and I hope I can help him out. I feel like most of his stuff is quite attainable - and he has the luck of genetics when it comes to body recomp. He gains definition extremely fast.

 

Ha ha, he's the one who has to look out for me - I usually text him when I'm about to do something stupid that will hurt me and he usually talks me out of it and gives me alternatives so I don't cripple myself overdoing it. He's got a good head on his shoulders for keeping it safe.

 

 

 

Hey Mouse! Just like last time, your setup is really cool! Giant Swords for the win!

 

 

Yeah! Glad to see you going strong despite the setbacks. Bathe in all the support! 

Thanks, Zuel! It's not as awesome as yours, though, buddy! I love it!

 

>w<

It's great having that much encouragement - a bit daunting, but ultimately full of encouragement.... Like LW's Courage Wolf.

[The Mouse]

Just breathe and keep going. Life can throw curve balls but it looks like you hit it anyway. The monks are here to cheer you on.

Thanks, Chef. :3

[The Mouse]

Training Day One, Reporting for Updates!

 

Diet

Breakfast: 2 hardboiled eggs, 2 strips bacon, 30g brie (henceforth the BBE - Brie, Bacon, Eggs)

Lunch: 1c spinach, 1/4 cucumber, 1/8c feta cheese, 3/4 chicken breast pre-marinated

Dinner: ribs! Dad's b-day dinner

Snacks: 3tbsp cream in jello, 1 protein shake

Summary: 1591cal, 16g carbs (estimated), 125g fat, 108g protein

 

Wielding the Greatsword

So good to be back in the gym, gettin' 'er dun. I've found that my physio stretching has enabled me to be more flexible through my squats and I can do a proper ATG now! I went down to about 95lbs to squat - down 5lbs from parallelish, but that's to be expected. I'm sure I lost some strength from my injuries. It'll be nice to work back up. Also, made a new friend! She's a gal who's been lifting since October and she's inspiring. Pulling BW DLs like no-one's business! She's a regular, so hopefully I'll get to know her a bit more.

Unfortunately, because I didn't eat all my lunch, I had a real hard time pushing it. Was also dehydrated today, so it wasn't the best.

 

It Takes Endurance

Rest Day - also, a note: for the first three weeks, if I attend every karate session and not hurt myself, I can count that as a day of running for the week. However, I can still work towards doing the first Zombies, Run! mission. If I can pause it, I think I'll try working up by ten minute increments so I can figure out if my leg can handle it or not.

 

Focus on Flexibilty

I did a full 15min stretch routine (found out it takes me about 15mins for each of my major lifts if I keep my head down and work, so with the routine it comes to 1h a work out + 30mins in the locker room sandwiching), and tried to massage my thighs and IT band out on the foam roller of death (it has little spikey-things on it). Damn. That hurts and will take a while to get used to...

 

Always Clean Your Sword

Oh, that sounds dirty now, doesn't it...

Anywho - I was really productive! I got all my laundry and dishes away, and I brought up the first box I could see and filled it halfway with almost half the stuff in my shelf. I do have some stuff left over that I'm not sure I need to keep, or where to keep it, but I hope I can find space. But I'll focus on getting rid of the stuff I clearly don't use or want and then I'll get to the nitty-gritty.

 

 

 

Party Formed - Boy Update!

My boyfriend has just sent me a text declaring D1W1 of C25K, D1W1 of 100 push up and 200 sit up challenge complete! Also, today has been a successful day for him in terms of dieting - he forwent the sugar-loaded protein bars at the campus store, didn't touch the biscuits at the restaurant despite his hunger and picked the croutons off the salad he ordered. I'm really proud of him - but the poor thing had so much he had left to eat at the end of the day... We need to hash out his diet so lunch is more substantial. Any thoughts? It's keto, so low-carb, high-fat options are what we're looking for.

[SevenFootGeek]

Good work on getting that ATG!  I'm still working my hip mobility to get down completely, but it's nice to see others new to lifting seeing progress.