QuirkyDM takes his action

[QuirkyDM]

That workout mechanic looks awesomely geeky and like a fantastic way to hit what you need to hit without running the risk of boredom. Way to go, and I'm totally stealing that mechanic some day! 

It's not the first time a deck of cards has been used for workouts, but I think the inclusion of Jokers is what really put it over the top for me to make sure it was the intense workout I needed. I might need to keep digging into my gaming knowledge and see what else I can do to keep this fresh.

 

 

That looks like a very special type of torture. Yikes.

 

I am totally never doing anything like that and am in awe that you CHOSE to. heh.

Heh, yeah, It is torture. And for some reason, I love torturing myself. I don't think you can do the longer OCRs and not have a little bit of masochism in your system.

 

 

Awesome! I'm really psyched for you that your abs held up ok. Also sounds like you made some good discoveries.

Thanks. Abs are definitely a work in progress. I think they're OK for long distance runs like this, but I did some shorter speed work this week and it did not like that at all.

 

TAPER!

 

It starts today!!!! I believe you said...

 

Hey, when does your wave start Saturday?

Yay taper! I started yesterday. My run was only 1.5 hours over trails and roads with no real hills. I won't know my wave for another week. I signed up for the "9:30-10:30" morning start time. Hopefully earlier rather than later, though.

 

------------------------------------

This is the end of the challenge? Blah, yech, boo.

 

Because I was nursing the lower abs, and I'm still doing so, most of this challenge fell right off. I managed to keep the pull ups going and feel really good about my upper body strength. I may not have got much running in, but they were some of the most epic runs I've done- a Beast, a crazy trail run, a lake run and a hill training deck of cards run. The whole point of this challenge was to get ready for the huge Vermont Beast and while my running is not as trained as I would have liked, I've hopefully kept it mostly intact. Or at least stopped it from completely declining. Mentally, I think I've done a lot more to get myself ready for the course than I did for the last Beast. Even if I can't tackle this course as strongly as I wanted, I'm pretty sure I can force myself to finish it no matter what. Now, there's nothing to do but go out there and prove it.

 

Next challenge, I'll be working full force on getting my body fixed up and I don't have any more OCRs planned until next year. I'll likely shift my focus to recovery, planning and flexibility so I can get back to 100% and start going crazy all over again. The kids are trying out crossfit and if I can get myself back in shape, I think that could be a great way to spend my winter.

[Xena]

As you told me, trust the taper, it really is magic (I'm not ready to taper for a few weeks yet). Can't wait to hear the race recap and will be curious to hear what you come up with for the winter.

[The Swedish Ninja]

I think crossfit would suit you great!!

[Phytomancer]

Haven't visited in a while, but it seems like you're doing something pretty awesome.

[QuirkyDM]

Counting down now. Aggravating at this stage to just sit around, but I also want as much time as possible to let the abs heal up. I'm doing daily ab recovery work and twice per day stretching and icing.

 

The heat times are up and I'm racing at 10:00. That should hopefully mean I'm done before supper. Does anyone know what kind of tracking information is being transmitted through the live tracker? Is it just what mile you're at or what?

[Anamal]

It basically just gives updates when your timing chip crosses a mat, so just what mile you're at. It would be here to give much more detail, especially in such a large race. But you can post to Facebook, twitter, and three cell numbers which should keep nearly everybody in your life pretty well updated on your run.

Good luck! 10am is a near perfect start time and you won't be finishing or starting in the dark.

[AgentsSka]

It's related to the same pads they use for the photo stations.  So, it is things like: 

 

World Championship Beast - Saturday September 20th 2014: Quirky DM crossed the Finish at ##:##.  Course time: ##:##:##.  Pace:  ##:## min/mi

 

Now, finish could also be things like - sandbag carry, swim, etc.  It's just where the pads are set-up and communicating.  The only one that really means anything to non-spectators is the finish one, because they have no idea where x obstacle is on the course.  But, it does tell them you are alive and still moving.

[QuirkyDM]

I figured it would be something like "QuirkyDM crossed mile 3". It would be nice to include obstacle updates, or possibly even "QuirkyDM is doing 30 burpees at the Tarzan Swing" if they put mats in the burpee cage entrances. The update "QuirkyDM is vomiting and wishes he were dead" is likely something I'll have to provide manually after the race.

[QuirkyDM]

Went on the Vermont Spartan Beast page today. The countdown said 1 day, 15 hours. Crap, that's close!

 

They also put up a new event specific page. Specific rules for all the obstacles. And this caught my eye in the FAQ:

 

How long is the race course? The course will be 13+ miles. The fastest finishing time is expected to be around three and a half hours.

 

Last year, the fastest time (and the expected fastest time) was 3 hours. So right off the bat, we're expecting this one to take at least an extra 17% longer. I'm going to be planning food and water for an 8 hour run at this point. Between the way my body is falling apart and this harder course, I think I'm going to get my wish of hitting my limits.

 

Yesterday, everything was going wrong- bad abs, bad knee, bad hip, lack of sleep, unable to eat much for the last four days. Not the lead up to the race I wanted. I seriously considered throwing in the towel, honestly. My head space was not in a good place. My wife took a good couple of hours to talk me down, followed by me saying screw it and going for a quick run with some rope climbs, spear throws and 8' walls. None of which went well, but I think lack of exercise over the last few weeks (trying to heal up) screws with my head too much.

 

I'm going to go, and whether I feel good or not, I'm going to go in there and kick my own ass for a good 7 or 8 hours or however long it takes. I'm not going to kick the course's ass- it's going to tear me apart. But surviving this one will be good enough this year.

 

I'm going to continue updating this thread until the race is done, and then spend the rest of the current challenge healing up and recovering. After that, I'll hopefully be fit enough to jump into a new challenge.

 

See you all again (hopefully) after the weekend.

[Anamal]

I think you're experiencing something which I comically heard called "Taper Tantrums" basically now that you're not training all the time your mind latches onto every little pain, twinge, and sore knee and then starts thinking the end times are near. Its not, you'll be fine.

Also work on positive self talk! The mind is like the unwilling participant in a car ride and it sits in the back seat and screams at every corner that you're going to crash and burn. To an extent you need that, the fear is what makes you train hard. But don't let it rule your race day by filling your head with 'what ifs.'

Lastly, I would expect nobody to finish in 3hrs. The UB page has fastest predicted finish time at 7hrs, but last year the fastest male elite took 8.5hrs. I'm actually not sure why Spartan HQ bothers to put out estimated times that are so totally off base.

[darkfoxx]

You've put in the training - you've got this. It won't be a cake walk, but you can completely 100% do this. We will all be Internet-side, rooting for you. 

[AgentsSka]

Yeah... minor correction - Hobie Call won last year in 3:35:57.

 

Have you read the athlete guide?  Some interesting tidbits in there about water stops and whatnot.

 

Also... after party!

 

You are going to be fine.  I'm looking forward to being introduced to your Rig.

[QuirkyDM]

I think you're experiencing something which I comically heard called "Taper Tantrums" basically now that you're not training all the time your mind latches onto every little pain, twinge, and sore knee and then starts thinking the end times are near. Its not, you'll be fine.

Also work on positive self talk! The mind is like the unwilling participant in a car ride and it sits in the back seat and screams at every corner that you're going to crash and burn. To an extent you need that, the fear is what makes you train hard. But don't let it rule your race day by filling your head with 'what ifs.'

Lastly, I would expect nobody to finish in 3hrs. The UB page has fastest predicted finish time at 7hrs, but last year the fastest male elite took 8.5hrs. I'm actually not sure why Spartan HQ bothers to put out estimated times that are so totally off base.

"Taper Tantrums". I like that. I'll see if I can get the positive self talk going. Yesterday, after I did my run and wasn't feeling horrible, then it was a lot of anger and "Fuck you, knee!" "Fuck you, rope!" "Fuck you, abs". I'm totally channeling the dark side of the force here, but I'm really more of a smiley guy, so I'll go watch some smurfs or something like that.

 

 

You've put in the training - you've got this. It won't be a cake walk, but you can completely 100% do this. We will all be Internet-side, rooting for you. 

Well, I'm a little worried that the last month of training has not been near enough. Definitely not up to my normal standards. But now all I can do is suck it up and do it anyway.

Thanks for the support- I'm sort of counting on lots of well wishing right now.

 

Yeah... minor correction - Hobie Call won last year in 3:35:57.

 

Have you read the athlete guide?  Some interesting tidbits in there about water stops and whatnot.

Really? Oops. Actually, more like, "Oh thank God!" I really don't need any more mental games stacked on top of what's already there. That's a huge relief. Hmmm, here I thought I can rely on my memory during the race for mental challenge. I better not take that for granted, either.

 

They put the athlete guide up? There it is! Well now, more reading to see what I'm in for.

 

I hope they have the Platinum Rig there. I don't remember seeing it in the race highlights from last year, and it's been in the Canadian races for the last two years.

[AgentsSka]

The rig is going to be there.  It's the first time it makes an appearance in a US race.

[Maledictus]

Not jealous guys. Not jealous at all. Have fun.

[Xena]

Pull it together there QDM!

 

AwkwardActive is 100% right about the tapering mind games.

 

You are going to have a great time. You are the guy who went running through the swamp and doing burpees for fun. You are the guy who convinced his kids to run around carrying logs. You did the most intense deck of cards workout I've ever seen. I know it sucks to be injured...you needed to ease off on the training, but you are totally ready for this.

[Quirkyself]

Listen to these people - they know what they are talking about.  Right now it's a head game and I don't think I have to tell you this, but you are pretty damn smart, so you're going to figure it out.  AND you've got like a 5 hour car ride to do that, too  I love you and the kids love you, so go and have a great adventure away from responsibilities and enjoy the journey.  Meet some new people, get inspired, dig deep, see what you are made of and knock this race off it's ass!  

[QuirkyDM]

The rig is going to be there.  It's the first time it makes an appearance in a US race.

Sweet. In our races, they are the highest failure rate on the course, so it should be fun.

 

 

Not jealous guys. Not jealous at all. Have fun.

That's the plan. Thanks. And you do realize this is like the millionaire being jealous of the guy on the street who found $20, right?

 

 

Pull it together there QDM!

 

AwkwardActive is 100% right about the tapering mind games.

 

You are going to have a great time. You are the guy who went running through the swamp and doing burpees for fun. You are the guy who convinced his kids to run around carrying logs. You did the most intense deck of cards workout I've ever seen. I know it sucks to be injured...you needed to ease off on the training, but you are totally ready for this.

Thanks, Xena. And everyone, actually. I try not to need the community pick me up, but this week didn't go well and you all helped me a lot.

 

 

Listen to these people - they know what they are talking about.  Right now it's a head game and I don't think I have to tell you this, but you are pretty damn smart, so you're going to figure it out.  AND you've got like a 5 hour car ride to do that, too  I love you and the kids love you, so go and have a great adventure away from responsibilities and enjoy the journey.  Meet some new people, get inspired, dig deep, see what you are made of and knock this race off it's ass!  

And these are the examples of how I know I married the right woman.

 

--------------------------------

Last night did not go well. After deciding to kick this course's butt, I did some aggressive icing on my abs and knee yesterday. It seemed to help until I went to sleep, and then my right knee hurt so much that at 1:00 I got out of bed and spent the next two hours trying to get it not to hurt. No mind games or self pity on this one- but I seriously thought I would have to drop out because if sleeping and walking were giving me issues, mountains were not a good idea.

 

This morning was a long hot shower to loosen everything up and then I managed to get an appointment with my physiotherapist and we worked for over an hour diagnosing and treating my leg. It's not a tear or anything major. The "normal" exertion from the race shouldn't cause any damage. She taped my knee all up and so now while it still can feel stressed, it's much better. The worst pain is probably from the tape tearing at all the hair on my gorilla legs.

 

I don't know how well any of the obstacles will go, but I'm getting excited now. I hopped into the car after physio and said, "I'm going to Vermont!" So thanks to everyone out there. I'm really looking forward to hitting this course now.

[AgentsSka]

BOOM!

 

tape in leg hair = ouch.  I've shaved very strange patterns into my leg just not to have that sensation!

 

See you out there!

[sylph]

I try not to need the community pick me up, but this week didn't go well and you all helped me a lot.

 

Uh, that's kind of the point of this community. We're a resource for each other.

 

[Quirkyself]

Quirky DM's wife here ... just wanted to let you know that he made it to Vermont and survived the Race.  His time was 8 hours and 17 minutes - he said it was brutal, but he was so glad he went.  I'm sure he will give you all the details when he gets back  Just so proud right now!

[sylph]

Quirky DM's wife here ... just wanted to let you know that he made it to Vermont and survived the Race.  His time was 8 hours and 17 minutes - he said it was brutal, but he was so glad he went.  I'm sure he will give you all the details when he gets back  Just so proud right now!

Thanks for the update! Glad he made it through. Sounds brutally amazing.

[AverageJoe]

Thanks for the spousal update! Glad he came through it alright, can't wait for all the epic details!

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[Quirkyself]

Oops. QuirkyDM posting as his wife accidentally.

[QuirkyDM]

Posted Today, 07:03 AM

AgentsSka, on 19 Sept 2014 - 11:59 AM, said:

BOOM!

 

tape in leg hair = ouch.  I've shaved very strange patterns into my leg just not to have that sensation!

 

See you out there!

Yeah. I mentioned shaving it, but she didn't seem to pay any attention to it. I ended up just doing a lot of trimming when I got home and it got abused so much in the Beast that it came off without any issue at all.

 

 

sylph, on 19 Sept 2014 - 12:00 PM, said:

Uh, that's kind of the point of this community. We're a resource for each other.

 

Yeah, but I like to save up that support for when I really need it. And you all came through for me.It's not something to take for granted, either, so I really do appreciate it. Thanks.

 

I'll give a full race report later. It'll take a while to type up. My knee really did not like driving for 5.5 hours on the way there.And then I look at the mountains I'll be climbing and thinking, "This is 13 miles you're going through on a bum knee- up and down mountains." How am I even considering running any distance with a sore knee? When did running 13 miles become normal for me, let alone up and down mountains? I really am crazy.

 

My knee stiffened up severely and I had to take a hot bath and some Advil nighttime gels to get to sleep. A little sore in the morning but manageable. With my 10:00 heat, the morning was no rush. I fill a hot water bottle to take with me, look at the course map, then sit around with the hot water bottle on my leg and relax until start time.

 

Then with 5 minutes before ten, I hit the start line, high five some random strangers because I really need to feel the love right then and head out.