Alethea's Challenge

[Alethea]

Aaaarg, I hate when you type out an update and then it gets deleted before you can post it. Sigh.

A typhoon!?! Wow, I have no excuse whatsoever, eh? Thanks for the tip, ladies, I shall keep it in mind. OMG, climbing anything with teeth and toenails'd be pretty badass.

Pinup, I actually don't mind wasps too much (step softly and they keep to themselves), but they bother my man so they had to die. Took out 2 nests and suffered 2 stings for my efforts. They fought well, but I had a leather jacket, hat, gloves, and poisoned-death in each hand. Ever want to feel like a god, that's the way to do it. Puny wasps, you are nothing!

FRIDAY:

Got up late, fell asleep early. I think I'm fighting something off.

Paleo, homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 4 days.

Strength trained in good time. Kinda half-assed the strength itself, though. No energy.

SATURDAY:

Got up on time (being a later-but-planned wakeup time). Bed was very late - 1am or something. Late dinner foils me again!

Paleo brunch, snacks and dinner. Meatloaf muffins with veggie breakfasts packaged for next week. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 5 days

Forgoed my usualy C25k plan and decided to run and walk when I wanted to (but walking was not to exceed 3 minutes and averaged more toward 90 seconds). Heres where I'm secretly incredibly proud, because I ran 9 consecutive minutes where my previous best was 5 min. AAAAAAND.... accidently managed to run(and walk) 5k in 38 minutes. Which I was very surprised to see when I came home.

Tai Chi and Yoga for a combined total of 45 minutes

SUNDAY:

Slept in, plan to be in bed on time (and I've eaten dinner already, wonder of wonders).

Paleo brunch and dinner. I have ham and chipotle sweet potato lunches... forever now. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 6 days.

Tai Chi for 15 min this morning, when I woke up stiff as a board. For the days when even yoga doesn't feel fun, there's always tai chi.

Plyometric jumping (Can't do arm stuff) in 30 min. I like jumping and I'm bad at agility and I need to strengthen my feet/ankles, thus, Plyo = best exercise ever!! I'm getting better at jumping over stuff, and suspect I can use the squat-jump skill to terrorize my cat in the future.

BW Strength in 45 min... took longer bottom holds on lunges and squats and such to see if it was cool. It was. Oooh, I blend the lines between yoga and strength. A Rebel in truth.

So, Recap for Week 2!

Basically, I did everything I said I would.

3 Running

3 Strength

1 Pilates

1 Plyometrics

Yoga and Tai Chi frequently.

Except getting up early, which I continue to suck at, but continue to attempt to train myself in.

And this one time I bought lunch when I had a bad day.

Paleo 6 days (7th doesn't count)

Week 2= Success.

Reward:

A Gerber Suspension Multitool

Huh, you say?

A near-indestructable steel device with plyers, sissors, screwdriver, small saw and knife among others (beer opener*cough*). It is The Tool of Choice for the average urban apocolypse survivor (source needed). Also, they're really handy for household work.

[catspaw]

It is The Tool of Choice for the average urban apocolypse survivor (source needed).

When the apocalypse happens, how are we going to recognize other members of the Rebellion as we wander the wastelands? We should plan a secret handshake or something. If you guys can hunt me down a boar, and protect us from wolves, I promise to cook you some ah-freakin-mazing grub. We'd be hunter-gatherer superheroes.

[pinupgeek]

That is a very cool multitool. I wonder if that's one of the things you can't have too many of? And yeah, I'm not big on buzzy stinging insects. Except bees. I feel sorry for them. But God of Wasp Death is an awesome title to hold.

Great second week!

[cacodaemonia]

Killer job this week! You're an animal. Do you have any other rewards planned?

[LynnyLee]

I'm still getting over the shiver from hearing about your wasp adventures. I'm with your man; I hate those things.

[Junglizer]

Getting to bed on time yet are we?

Also, I'm a bigger fan of Leatherman's for multi-tools and Gerber for knives, but they're both good quality. I've got a Leatherman Squirt (the one w/ pliers) which I've had for years. It's still got most of it's blue paint and I use it on everything. It's lasted for ages.

[Alethea]

Catspaw, deal! If you can make it to the canadian rockies and find wherever I'm holed up with a rifle and mad gleam in my eye, you are more than welcome! If anyone can make random scraps taste good, it's you!

Pinup, you feel sorry for bees? Explain!

Thanks, Caco! No other rewards planned. This one wasn't even planned. I went "hey, 2 weeks!" while I was simultaniously snarling at plastic packaging I couldn't get open. My Hero pulled out his multitool (thats what she said) and saved the day, and I figured it was time to replace mine (which was stolen in an airport by men in uniforms who figured I was planning to hijack a plane with a fancy pair of plyers. Security in Airports is a topic I can rant on for a while). Any ideas for my next 2 week reward?

Lynny, you have no appreciation for the wonder and beauty that is the wasp. Shame on you. Any species ruled by women have to get SOME props!

Junglizer, I'm getting to bed on time more often than not! that's something, right? How're you doing with it? I've always been a leatherman girl, but I've been hearing very good things about gerber lately. Took a look at both brands when shopping, and Gerber impressed me greatly. Just as solid, spring-loaded plyers, much smoother locking mechanism, and those sexy cutouts on the handles didn't hurt. I will report back after a few months of use, but I believe gerber is as good or better than leatherman. For now, of course.

So yes, I did get to bed on time on Sunday.

MONDAY:

Slept in, went to bed on time. Definitely fighting something off, but so far it's limited to cold sweats, throat badness and lack of appatite. Nothing that affects performance. Good body. Fight!

Paleo homemade breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. I generally dont snack as it challenges my willpower, but was DYING for something sweet. Chopped a banana and a date, sprinkled on flaked coconut and cinamon (regulates blood sugar level, awesome to have with sweets). Didn't quite hit the spot, but came close. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 7 days. And I can hardly wait for it to be done. I'm going to have french onion soup, and berries with cream, and cream-cheese-based dips for veggies, and tea with cream, and chicken stuffed with goat cheese.... My name is Alethea, and I'm addicted to dairy.

Tai Chi and yoga for 30 minutes. Strength took a lot out of me yesterday, so figured today would be a nice rest day in prep for repeating my 5k performance tomorrow. Must... beat... time!

[cacodaemonia]

Thanks, Caco! No other rewards planned. This one wasn't even planned. I went "hey, 2 weeks!" while I was simultaniously snarling at plastic packaging I couldn't get open. My Hero pulled out his multitool (thats what she said) and saved the day, and I figured it was time to replace mine (which was stolen in an airport by men in uniforms who figured I was planning to hijack a plane with a fancy pair of plyers. Security in Airports is a topic I can rant on for a while). Any ideas for my next 2 week reward?

I hear ya. I've lost some good knives to the TSA mall cops. >:[

Hm, how about one of

? I've been drooling over them since they came out a week ago. 50% recycled material AND rainbow colors?? I'm in love. *__*

[Alethea]

Hm, how about one of

Erh... A smoothy?

[pinupgeek]

Pinup, you feel sorry for bees? Explain!

Well, there's that whole "bees keep dying" thing. And they make honey. Wasps do no such thing.

[Loren Wade]

Alethea, about your super craving for something sweet. You know what my go-to is? Larabars. I keep them stocked only for those moments precisely. And only because they're prepackaged and I don't have to worry than I'm eating a huge banana and think about all of the carbs. I read what's on the back! Haha.

[Alethea]

TUESDAY:

Got up early, bed on time. Was invited to a "meditation social" on Wensday, and how do you turn THAT down, so figured I'd get up early to practice meditation for 15 minutes so I'm not the fidgetty tool in the room. Attention was seriously fraying. I may be in trouble.

Paleo homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 8 days.

Ran 5k in 33:29. PR! Took me forever to get out of the house, though. Counting my warmup (interrupted to box with my cat, who would otherwise gnaw on my ankle. I should videotape her someday. Scrappy monster likes nothing better than being knocked over and tossed about while she tries her best to kill you), starting laundry machine (I hate you so much, laundry), digging for clean-ish workout clothes (see previous note), and charging my ipod for 10 min to be sure it wouldn't die, it probably took me an hour and a half, total workout. Unacceptable!

15 min tai chi, and I discovered my knee collapses inward slightly on deep lunges due to lack of outer ankle mobility. No doubt that explains my sore knees from running. Another thing added to nightly physio!

Also, I realized I need to start Increasing My Supple Leopardness, or something, via starting daily mobility workouts. Better get on that tomorrow!

[Alethea]

Hey, thanks Loren! I tried my first larabar a few days ago, and they're surprisingly good!

Pinup, touche. The dying bees is a sad thing indeed. I am a bee person as well, I'm just being difficult.

[catspaw]

Another option is dried apple chips. Ingredients: apples. Sometimes seasonings. You can buy them in bulk for super super cheap. (50 cents per oz.)

http://www.amazon.com/Bare-Fruit-Organic-Bake-Dried-Apples/dp/B001IZM92S/ref=sr_1_20?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1316623541&sr=1-20

Dip them in almond butter for a complete snack.

[Junglizer]

I have been doing O.K on the bedtime thing. Haven't been really making it, but I now have the motivation to do so, since I know how well it works when I manage it. Mostly getting up early. Mmmm delicious, delicious breakfast!

[Alethea]

Ooooh, good find, Catspaw! I've tried kelp chips in the past which is great for salt-cravings, but never thought of dried-fruit chips for the sweet-monster. Obviously, they're an occassional treat only. Thankfully I seem to be over my sweet craving for now.

Jungilizer, Heh, getting up is definitely harder for me than going to bed. Even the lure of breakfast often isn't enough!

WEDNESDAY:

Slept in, late to bed. The evening was not my fault, late working, got home at 9, wasn't physically possible. I am sucking at this.

Paleo homemade breakfast lunch and dinner. HOWEVER. A train-friend bought me a frappachino and I didn't know her well enough to decline without offending her generosity, so had half of an INCREDIBLY sweet and gross grande-coffee-cream-sugar-based beverage. I didn't plan for failure during my minichallenge, so.... Lets say I have to do 14 days, so having failed a day, I still have Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 8 days.

Strength (incl warmup and stretch and prep) in 37 minutes. And it went really well. Careful attention to form definitely helps with fatiguing the muscles, and will fix my outwardly-rotating-foot-torquing-knee-pain-while-running issue. Only problem is my deadlift. I believe this is a very important exercise, but there isn't a BW equivilant aside from 1-legged romanian BW deadlifts (basically, Warrior 3 x 15, for those in the yoga-know), which is time consuming and doesn't really teach proper form. I ended up doing regular air-deadlifts, which was just silly but good form practice. In other news, ZOMG I CAN DO 60 SECOND PLANKS AGAIN!!! and 30 SECOND SIDE-PLANKS!! My elbows are healing!!! *dance* Still can't bend the stupid things while supporting weight, but 1 step at a time.

[Junglizer]

Guess you need the motivation of better breakfasts!

[cacodaemonia]

Erh... A smoothy?

AUGH, no! Incorrect! I fail at internetting. DX I meant to link you to this cool yoga mat.

ZOMG I CAN DO 60 SECOND PLANKS AGAIN!!! and 30 SECOND SIDE-PLANKS!! My elbows are healing!!! *dance* Still can't bend the stupid things while supporting weight, but 1 step at a time.

Woo, nice job! By the time I get to side planks my wrists are always so worn out. Glad your elbow is healing well.

[Alethea]

Caco: Ooooooh, good find!! If anyone asks, it represents the different chakras in order to help focus and develop our practice, and the fact that it looks like Rainbow Bright's yoga mat is purely coincidental.

Junglizer, that looks DELICIOUS. Definitely making that on the weekend.

THURSDAY:

Slept late (and woke up feeling like roadkill), bed at 11:10. Close enough!

Paleo breakfast and lunch, IF for dinner. Got home at 10, wasn't hungry. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 9 days.

10 min of yoga, but otherwise not a darn thing. I guess Im stacking my strength and runs for the rest of the week!

30 min meditation on the topic of self-righteousness, which is a trait of mine I'm not proud of. I must have been doing it right, because it didn't turn into a "you suck" blaimfest, and more a philosophical pondering on the whys, wherefores, and how to avoids. I am pleased. My conclusion was it is an act that comes from the ego in an effort to ellivate oneself at the expense of others even when the act stems from an effort to help others (basically, "I'm right, you're wrong, and I'm better than you because of it. Learn from my wisdom and be awed."), and is a blind to cover inner insecurity. I probably owe a lot of people apologies for arrogance, including on this board. Sorry, anyone who I have bothered in the past!

[Colin]

Oh arrogance isn't really a Canadian thing ... Inferiority complexes and self deprication are more in line - this is me speaking generally of course. Your apology though, VERY Canadian. Oh ... Sorry.

Glad to hear elbows are on the mend. Must have been a nasty wipeout ... don't suppose Sandman has THAT footage? Anyway, sounds like you are making he best of a hectic schedule, getting in what you can when possible.

[Alethea]

Your apology though, VERY Canadian.

Bahahahaha! Touche!

Sadly, Sandman just caught the very edge of the wipeout. He was wisely staying well back of the completely-unpredictable-with-a-tendancy-to-fall-over-for-no-good-reason Alethea.

[Alethea]

FRIDAY:

Got up early (yay!!!), bed on time.

Paleo breakfast lunch and dinner. Paleo 14 Day Mini Challenge: 10 days.

15 min of yoga

Strength in 40 min.

Ran sprints in 45 min (incl walking and stretches, etc). I read somewhere that if you just do slow runs, it'll decrease the fast-twitch muscles, so a mix is good. Also, I REALLY don't see myself accomplishing 2 strength, 2 runs, pilates AND plyo this weekend, as I'm doing a charity Tri-Wellathon of tai chi, yoga and meditation (it's like they invented it for me!!) on Sunday, so sprinting is a bit of a combo of plyo and running. I absolutely suck at sprinting. I can run all out at full effort for about 10 seconds before I start to slow down. Did 8 sets of sprints, which equalled out to about 2.84 miles. If I knew I was that close, I'd have just jogged my way to 5k, but didn't have a tracker with me.

[catspaw]

Fix your private message Inbox! Every time I try to send you one it says you're full and can't get any. And then how am I supposed to send you private message love?!

[Alethea]

Sorry! Emptied, and ready for all the love you choose to send.

[Colin]

A tri-wellathon. nice. If I were t to think of tri type events created specifically for me, this list might include:

Tri-ball-a-thon - slow pitch, nachos, beer. Though the beer is concurrent with both the slow pitch and the nachos so this might be more of a duathalon type scenario.

Tri-procrastathon - avoidance of actual work duties by way of the coffee machine, news feeds, and blog checks

Okay, this list, in my minds eye was going to be way longer and way funnier, and I would just delete and run, but I am a really slow typist so it is quicker to justbhit post.

By the way. Nice job with the challenge.