QuirkyDM Flashes the city

[QuirkyDM]

If you were hoping for this ..

 

then you came to the WRONG place. In this challenge, we're gong for this:

 

In this challenge, I'm going to be the Flash's new sidekick. There's not a lot of crime fighting or problem solving involved here, but it's still good stuff! Like no matter how fast the Flash goes, he can't speed up how long it takes to place an order through at the drive-thru, get your food and pay for it. It's my job to run there and do all the waiting stuff, stand at the curb with my arm out holding a bag of fries and a cheeseburger and then Flash can come by and grab it without needing to slow down ever.

 

Same thing goes with picking up his dry cleaning, opening up automatic doors to buildings and turning on his laptop so he doesn't have to wait for it boot up. Some might not call this being a sidekick. Maybe a butler or personal assistant or man-slave. But I get to wear cool running clothes and snazzy shoes the entire time. I mean, that's a costume, right?

 

MAIN GOAL: After a winter of bulking and with the snow melting, it's time to run, run, run! I have a 25K Spartan Beast in late July and I need to get everything in good great running order (pun intended) before that race. Here's the plan:

 

Fitness Goal A- Run. Just ... run. The plan is 3 running workouts per week. Specific goals for some of these runs are listed in other goals.

• a Zombies, Run! session
• tempo interval run
• long run
• PLUS 1-2 lifting sessions per week. (minimum 1 lifting workout in weeks 1-3 and expand it to 2 sessions in weeks 4-6)

I'll need to experiment with lifting and running on the same or different days.

REWARD: (+1 STR, +1 STA, +2 DEX)

A: All sessions done.

B: 1-3 sessions missed 

C: 4-6 sessions missed

D: 7-9 sessions missed

F: 10+ sessions missed

 

Fitness Goal B- Going the distance. My long runs will start with a nice easy 10K trail run this weekend. (pre challenge) Every week, I'll add 3K to this amount until my LSD runs are at 25K after 5 weeks. Next challenge, I'll do the same thing, but move from my fairly flat trail runs to a hilly terrain instead.

REWARD: (+3 STA)

A: 25K long run completed

B: 22K long run

C: 19 K long run

F: Did I even leave the house?

 

 

Fitness Goal C- 23:00 5K. 1 week after this challenge, I have a 6K mud run. (Ottawa Mud Hero) Given where I'm at now, this is where I should be after 6 weeks training and I can work next challenge on improving it more. The plan:

• weeks 1-3 - 4x1.25K intervals at 4:36 pace (early in the week)
• weeks 4-6 - 3x1.75K intervals at 4:36 pace (early in the week)
• week 6- run the 5K (end of the week, possibly in place of long run)

REWARD: (+2 DEX, +1 STA)

A: 23:00 or less 5K

B: 23:15 or less

C: 23:30 or less

F: Slower than 23:30

 

Lifequest Goal- The Speed Force family. There's more than one Flash. In fact, there's a whole family of them and they all work together. My goal is to make sure my family follows in my footsteps. (almost literally) The goal is to take the family, either partially or all of them, for at least one run or bike every week. The kids are getting into 5Ks and cross country, so they are ready to run. Not mention how much easier that will make it on me once the Zombie Apocalypse hits.

REWARD: (+3 CHA)

A: Active family achieved

B: Missed 1 week

C: Missed 2 weeks

F: Missed 3 or more weeks.

 

Fitness Side Quest - Twice as fast. During this next challenge, I'm going to learn how to do double unders. They are the bane of many cross fitters and someday I am sure I will be hitting a box once I get some other fitness goals under control. I'll get a proper speed rope, find some tutorials and go for it. The goal will be 30 seconds of continuous double unders with good form and not doing 5 foot knee tucks. (my current method)

REWARD: (+2 DEX)

A: 30 seconds double unders

C: 15 seconds double unders

F: Less than 15 seconds, or help untangle this rope from my legs

[sylph]

Hah! Found you.

 

 

So. Much. Running. You do all the running, I'll do all the lifting and between us, we will be well-rounded nerds.

[Epsilonx2]

Wonderful goals! I'm confident you'll continue to take care of business this challenge!

[Xena]

We're doing very similar things! I'm subscribed.

[QuirkyDM]

Hah! Found you.

 

 

So. Much. Running. You do all the running, I'll do all the lifting and between us, we will be well-rounded nerds.

I guess I can run, but I can't hide?

 

 

Wonderful goals! I'm confident you'll continue to take care of business this challenge!

Thanks, I'll do my best.

 

 

We're doing very similar things! I'm subscribed.

I saw that, too. A long distance running partner in all senses of the word.  

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Yea for all the running - and I'm glad to hear that your family is in on the fun. 

[QuirkyDM]

Yea for all the running - and I'm glad to hear that your family is in on the fun. 

Yeah, when I was only lifting, I couldn't include the rest of the family very well, so the clear roads are just what I needed. Last night when we went to pick up the car from the garage (winter tires removed- thanks goodness!) the kids and I jogged there. I stayed back with my son, but my daughter was streaking out in front and doubling back constantly. Her goal is to hit 8K this summer, 10K if I let her. She's likely capable of doing it now, but at 10 years old I don't feel the need to push her too hard. She'd probably start marathon training if I let her.

 

My son though has been begging for the bikes to get brought out. I'll be grabbing them from storage this weekend and getting them tuned up.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

10?!?!  Wow - good for her. 

[QuirkyDM]

Day 0- 10km trail run yesterday. Which was more of a snow/deep puddle run. There's not quite enough melting happening under the tree cover yet. But I took it as a great opportunity to test my new trail shoes. With my compression socks on, there is really no concern about retaining water. My shoes were completely dry this morning. So next time, instead of stomping through the brush trying to avoid the small ponds in my way, I'll just run right through them. That should get me in the right mindset for OCRs anyway.

 

I also hauled my camelback along with 1L of water in it. I've hiked with weight before, but I've never run with a camelback before. Last year on my 20K+ runs, I could barely get by with my 750mL water bottle on a belt. But the Spartan Beast will require more water than that, so I'm going to practice with hauling the camelback around. It will take a little getting used to as I needed to focus on my core and form just a little extra.

 

All in all, it was great to get out and hit the paths. Looking forward to next week and adding some more distance and hopefully a little less snow.

[Librarian of Doom]

Great challenge goals! I'm in awe of people who run long distances...I have running ADHD, I think, because I usually get bored at around the 3k mark. 

[QuirkyDM]

Great challenge goals! I'm in awe of people who run long distances...I have running ADHD, I think, because I usually get bored at around the 3k mark. 

I enjoy keeping to my 3 runs for that reason. The tempo runs are interval based so you're running shorter, faster distances and they're highly goal oriented. The trail runs require you to constantly pay attention to the terrain, plus there are constant twists and turns and the scenery is gorgeous. Finally, if you're bored when running away from Zombies, then you might be watching a little too much Walking Dead.

 

Day 1! It begins anew- Tempo run

Today was the first day where there was absolutely no snow on the ground. With my legs finally underneath me, I felt like I was running again and hitting a great turnover rate.

 

I love going on runs with a light mist or fog like this in the early mornings. For zombie runs, it definitely puts you in the right mood, but for any run, it's peaceful and you're getting out to experience a morning that most people don't get a chance to see.

 

Intervals: (pace in min/km)

Interval 1: 4:32

Interval 2: 4:26

Interval 3: 4:33

Interval 4: 4:27

 

Total 5K time: 22:28

 

I'm pretty happy with this not only for the speed, but because of the consistency in my pace. I often hit my first interval way too fast and today was just right.

 

Now I can slack off for the rest of the day and relax.

[tenaciousglee]

Solid work!  I am a fan of all things Flash (the hero, not the illegal act) so I'll be cheering you on!

[AgentsSka]

BEAST mode!!!

 

Arrooo!

 

I also hauled my camelback along with 1L of water in it. I've hiked with weight before, but I've never run with a camelback before. Last year on my 20K+ runs, I could barely get by with my 750mL water bottle on a belt. But the Spartan Beast will require more water than that, so I'm going to practice with hauling the camelback around. It will take a little getting used to as I needed to focus on my core and form just a little extra.

 

Like you, I had only previously hiked with camelbacks.  Prior to the VT Beast last year, I picked up a Camelback Octane XCT.  Much lower profile than my previous Mule, while still capable of holding 3L of water.  And, it's cheap.  I recommend it.

 

Get after it, bud!

[sylph]

Looks like you have a nice space to run outdoors. Very nice!

 

And (as you said) the mist/fog makes for excellent zombie ambience.

[Maledictus]

subbed even though I was hoping for the other kind of flash...

 

... you know, the kind memory sticks are made of.

 

[Librarian of Doom]

Mist and fog are just awesome in general. HoD and I usually make Ravenloft jokes

[AverageJoe]

I'm in awe of anyone who can put up that kind of mileage and pace! Unfortunately I was built for comfort not speed, so I will be living vicariously through your posts:D

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[DaemonCorax]

It looks like you and I are on the same path - lift a lot last challenge, go faster this challenge - although my "go faster" i a little more bicycle and agility related.

 

Anyway, it looks awesome, and it's totally cool that your daughter is your running trail blazer

 

Does the Flash really have dry cleaning? 

[Chelkie]

Hey Quirky, ready for Season 3 of Zombies, Run! tomorrow?! I'm only like 9 episodes into Season 2, so i'm definitely not. Apparently they are adding interval side missions for Apple though, so that might help with your running goals. Good to see you've kept on knocking out those goals while i've been gone, and I look forward to following your thread again this time around!

[QuirkyDM]

Solid work!  I am a fan of all things Flash (the hero, not the illegal act) so I'll be cheering you on!

Me, too. Whenever those "what super power would you want?" queries arise, I always want super speed. You could just get so much more done.

 

 

BEAST mode!!!

 

Arrooo!

 

 

Like you, I had only previously hiked with camelbacks.  Prior to the VT Beast last year, I picked up a Camelback Octane XCT.  Much lower profile than my previous Mule, while still capable of holding 3L of water.  And, it's cheap.  I recommend it.

 

Get after it, bud!

I'll see how this camelback works before I jump into buying another one. I just got it at Christmas and while it's a little bigger than I would have gotten for myself, the worst that can happen is I get used to hauling a bigger pack around and then fly through the course with a smaller pack during the race.

 

 

Looks like you have a nice space to run outdoors. Very nice!

 

And (as you said) the mist/fog makes for excellent zombie ambience.

It's nice in the early morning when there's no other traffic. The true gem is on my long runs where I can get into the Green Belt- a ring of forest and wet lands surrounding the inner city of Ottawa. It's less than 2km from my house. But it's not as ideal for zombie runs as the tree roots, rocks and ice make sprinting not nearly as easy to manage.

 

 

I'm in awe of anyone who can put up that kind of mileage and pace! Unfortunately I was built for comfort not speed, so I will be living vicariously through your posts:D

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

I live vicariously through everyone else's challenges, so it's coming around full circle. We're all like a big batch of parasites feeding off one another. I guess the proper term is symbiotic, but I'm pretty sure I'm closer to a leech.

 

 

Mist and fog are just awesome in general. HoD and I usually make Ravenloft jokes

I agree that fog is cool. Every time I'm in a thick fog, I keep thinking it's like every Robin Hood movie I've ever seen.

Oooh, Ravenloft. I never considered that before.

 

 

It looks like you and I are on the same path - lift a lot last challenge, go faster this challenge - although my "go faster" i a little more bicycle and agility related.

 

Anyway, it looks awesome, and it's totally cool that your daughter is your running trail blazer

 

Does the Flash really have dry cleaning? 

Yeah, I'm finding a lot of us are working toward similar goals this time around. I think the spring weather is finally having an effect on us.

 

Oh yeah, the Flash totally has dry cleaning. He has to do that since he got banned from the Justice League laundry room for unknown reasons.

 

 

Hey Quirky, ready for Season 3 of Zombies, Run! tomorrow?! I'm only like 9 episodes into Season 2, so i'm definitely not. Apparently they are adding interval side missions for Apple though, so that might help with your running goals. Good to see you've kept on knocking out those goals while i've been gone, and I look forward to following your thread again this time around!

I am totally not ready. I'm only a few more episodes in than you. If I want to keep up, I'd need to start running two missions a week. Starting about 3 months ago.

 

I really hope they don't screw up my base when it goes to Season 3, though. I was a little upset when I lost my Season 1 base when they sent an upgrade for Zombies, Run! just to get ready for Season 2, even if you didn't download the Season 2 missions, yet. I've barely had a chance to build my base up. There's so much more I want to build!

 

subbed even though I was hoping for the other kind of flash...

 

... you know, the kind memory sticks are made of.

Well I'd hate to disappoint you. Plus, since it's you ...

[drunkensnake]

I like your family goal sir, I have been working out, but not my family, I think in an upcoming challenge I shall emulate you, Good Fortunes to you Ser!

[Chelkie]

The blog says they aren't going to revamp the base, just clean up the graphics and add new buildings ect so our amazing bases should be safe. They also said they worked in a new thing where you get to choose a bit which way the story/your character goes, which sounds really exciting. I only read the spoiler, so what all you can choose I don't know. 

[Hammlin]

Subbing to follow your awesomeness!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Can't wait for ZR 3!!!

[Peekay]

Man, this makes me miss Zombies, Run! Stupid Blackberry. I wonder if I can do it without a phone. Like with an iPod Touch or something. To the internet!

 

Now I have to wonder if I can get it to work on my 7" tablet. Or if I can find a pair of shorts where that will fit into the pocket. I guess I have a new plan for this afternoon...

 

And by the way, your times really make me want to get better. So thanks for the encouragement.