♫ starsapart stands a little taller ♫

[starsapart]

"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,

stand a little taller,

doesn't mean i'm lonely when i'm alone.

what doesn't kill you makes a fighter,

footsteps even lighter..."

 

INTRODUCTION: Hello, Assassins!  I am thrilled to be joining you for my second challenge!  I could babble on and on here (I'm verbose; apologies in advance) but in a nutshell: I had a parkour accident in August (oooooops) which led to a broken bone (double ooooooooops) which I am now in the process of rehabbing so that I can go back to doing cool, Assassin-y things.  Which brings me to my...

 

MAIN QUEST: Be in a condition to reasonably start aerial silks training in November!  In order to do this, I need to rehab my ankle strength and mobility, regain my leg strength, and improve my upper body strength.  I don't want to be hanging helplessly from the silks - I want to fly.

 

QUEST 1: FOLLOW MY FEET (+2 DEX, +2 STA)

Description: I have been out of a boot and in a brace for a couple of weeks, but I limp so pathetically right now!  For the duration of the challenge, I will walk a bit further every single day.  There are no daily time limits to meet here, because some days I still have fairly significant pain.  I will allow my ankle to tell me when to stop.  At first, this may mean taking a few extra walks to the break room for tea, or hobbling around the grocery store where ordinarily I might have sent my long-suffering spouse shopping.  By the end, I hope to be choosing the stairs in favor of the elevator and going for walks at the nearby lake.  Similarly, every single day, I will perform the ankle mobility exercises assigned by my physical therapist.  Right now they're simple (point and flex, trace the ABCs) but I anticipate they will get more complex as the challenge goes on, seeing as I am scheduled to be fully rehabbed sometime in October.

• A: 7 days complete, B: 6 days complete, C: 5 days complete
  

 

QUEST 2: WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU... (+3 STR, +2 DEX)

Description: My leg muscles have atrophied dreadfully over the course of my injury, and my right leg is still significantly stronger (and larger, lol) than my left.  Over the course of the challenge, I will do 3 days a week of leg strengthening exercises.  Right now, this means various leg machines (such as hamstring curls and leg extensions), as I have not been cleared for squats or any other high-pressure lower-body movements.  As the physical therapist clears me, I hope to add in squats, lunges, and ankle strengthening exercises with resistance bands.

• A: 3 days complete, B: 2 days complete, C: 1 days complete
  

 

QUEST 3: SPREAD MY WINGS (+3 STR, +1 CHA)

Description: The one good thing about my injury is that it forced me to spend the last month and change hyper-focused on my upper body.  I've seen some great results, but the one mark of true calisthenic BAMF-ness still eludes me: the pull-up.  The way I figure, having the capability to do even one of these will instantly make aerial training easier and more fun.  Thus, over the course of my challenge, I will do 3 days a week of pull-up training.  This can include reverse bodyweight rows, lateral pull-downs, or assisted pull-ups with a resistance band.  The only way up is... well, up.  Why that charisma point, you ask?  Come on, pull-ups are crazy cool.

• A: 3 days complete, B: 2 days complete, C: 1 days complete
  

 

LIFE QUEST: HOARD MY TREASURE (+2 WIS)

Description: This one is particularly hard for me, but the bonus is, if I pass this quest, the silks class is paid for (actually, a couple months of silks classes are probably paid for...)!  My wife and I have a bad habit of going out to eat on date night and buying too many pretty clothes to wear.  I'm good at eating well/lightly in restaurants (I have a system), but my wallet doesn't thank me.  Thus, over the course of weeks 2-6 of the challenge, I will not eat out more than 3 times, will not go clothes shopping more than once (once may be needed - it's getting cold and all of my pants are 2 sizes too big), and on that one shopping trip I will not spend more than $200.  These are all significantly scaled down from our current habits, sadly.  Week 1 of the challenge is not included because my best friend is in town from out of the country and we are taking her to Las Vegas, where we will not have access to a refrigerator, let alone a kitchen... needless to say, it's eat out or starve.

• A: met all 3 criteria, B: met 2 criteria, C: met 1 criterion
  

 

The points thus come out like this, assuming I mathed correctly:

 

STR : 6 (A=6, B=5, C=4)

DEX : 4 (A=4, B=3, C=2)

STA : 2 (A=2, B=1, C=1.5)

WIS : 2 (A=2, B=1, C=1.5)

CHA : 1 (A=1, B=.5, C=.25)

 

I'll be keeping track of daily accomplishments in a gdoc, publicly available HERE. The spreadsheet does all the fancy math for me (I love technology).  If you're interested in my full training program, see my battle log!

 

REWARDS: What would an epic quest be without treasure?  If I succeed, I will reward myself with something nice (that isn't food).  Rewards are stacking, meaning I get the A, B, and C rewards if I get to an A grade, the B and C rewards for B grade, and just the C reward for C grade.  Rewards are as follows:

 

A overall: Unlock New Skill Tree!  If I earn an A, I will sign up for aerial silks classes with Aerial Cirque Over Denver.

B overall: Armor Upgrade! I need new dress slacks!  That fit!  After my shopping moratorium, if I earn at least a B, I will go and buy a couple pairs.

C overall: Equipment Upgrade! I've been eyeing a heavier kettlebell....

 

MOTIVATION: If you get to know me, you will realize that I am really, really into Cirque du Soleil.  I am also a dancer and a great lover of heights.  The idea that I could do these things myself only occurred to me fairly recently, when I started getting back in shape, and since I am unlikely to grow wings overnight (pity), this is the closest I am going to get to flight right now.  Basically, not only do I want to feel strong and stop hurting all the time (sigh, ankle, why), but the reward is so very worth the tedium of rehab.

 

Before pictures:

  

 

 

Measurements:

Chest: 40"

Waist: 32.2"

Hips: 42.5"

Thigh: R: 26.1" L: 25"

Calf: R: 16" L: 15.5"

Bicep: 12.5"

 

Weight: 178

Dress/pants size: 10-12 depending on the brand

 

 

 

 

In the grand tradition on me, there will be a lot of cute gifs and random videos and babble about every possible thing here.  Stay tuned!

 

 

[Trembriele]

I am so excited to follow your thread again!

Edited to say that came out sounding a little stalkersh - your write-ups are thoughtful, entertaining, and full of giffy goodness

[Hit]

aerial silks are fucking boss! super keen to see how you go good luck dude.

[Amp]

So excited to see you in the guild!!!! Looks like we both made it through the first six weeks! I'm organizing my next challenge as we speak and will post it here tomorrow.  I read Divergent recently and can't help, but feel like a newbie pledging Dauntless right now and I'm glad you're on this adventure with me! Good luck with the rehab and let me know how that pull-up training progresses.  I'm still working on the weight loss piece, but I should be right behind you here in a few challenges. I look forwards to following you for another 6!

[starsapart]

I am so excited to follow your thread again!

Edited to say that came out sounding a little stalkersh - your write-ups are thoughtful, entertaining, and full of giffy goodness

 

Huzzah!  I am glad to have you!  I hope to entertain.

 

aerial silks are fucking boss! super keen to see how you go good luck dude.

 

I am so excited to get started!  I am going to do everything in my power to get to class and have a leg up (ahahaha, puntastic, that is what I am tonight).

 

So excited to see you in the guild!!!! Looks like we both made it through the first six weeks! I'm organizing my next challenge as we speak and will post it here tomorrow.  I read Divergent recently and can't help, but feel like a newbie pledging Dauntless right now and I'm glad you're on this adventure with me! Good luck with the rehab and let me know how that pull-up training progresses.  I'm still working on the weight loss piece, but I should be right behind you here in a few challenges. I look forwards to following you for another 6!

 

Yessssssss glad to see you!  Ha, Divergent.  I'd wind up in Erudite, negl.  FORGIVE ME.  I don't agree with the author's seeming perspective that knowledge is the ultimate corrupting force......

 

Incidentally, I'm still working on weight loss, too - I have probably 30 (or more?) pounds to go, but I'm down 24 from where I started and working on learning skills helps make the whole weight loss process more bearable.  Basically I will do all of the above at a steep caloric deficit, doot doot doot.

[starpuck]

Well you got two things going on that make me go Ooooooooh!  Wanna read along!

 

One, you've got a pretty cool sounding name!  *nods sagely*

Two, you've been where I've been.    Over the course of three years, I had to have surgery on my left foot, 3 times.   

 

I've made it back to being pretty much functional and back to my old grind, but I think I could learn a thing or two about your dedication to evening out those imbalances.   I still have them to some extent even now.   So, color me intrigued and fasten my seat belt for this ride along!

[starsapart]

Well you got two things going on that make me go Ooooooooh!  Wanna read along!

 

One, you've got a pretty cool sounding name!  *nods sagely*

Two, you've been where I've been.    Over the course of three years, I had to have surgery on my left foot, 3 times.   

 

I've made it back to being pretty much functional and back to my old grind, but I think I could learn a thing or two about your dedication to evening out those imbalances.   I still have them to some extent even now.   So, color me intrigued and fasten my seat belt for this ride along!

 

My name is the result of this poem:

 

 

As for rehab..... alas, this is not my first serious foot injury, either, though the last one was 13 years ago.  HERE WE GO AGAIN.

[blkhole24601]

oops, followed~

[starsapart]

ONOZORZ!

[DarK_RaideR]

Look at you, ambassador of awesome already! Have a great challenge!

[lishvicious]

Hey how did you become an ambassador?

[starsapart]

Look at you, ambassador of awesome already! Have a great challenge!

 

Ha, yes, yay!  I am so excited about it!!!  Thank you.

 

Hey how did you become an ambassador?

 

In a nutshell, there was an opening, I applied for the position, and my application was accepted.

 

I'm just waiting on the go-ahead from Hazard to go and start spreading the Assassin love all over the Level 1 forums!

[CelebrateCeleste]

Well done!  You'll be a fantastic ambassador!

[Shello]

Huzzah!  I see that not only are a pirate lass but also now an ambassador!   And I think aerial silks sound amazing...  I'm definately subbing to learn a few things... 

 

Also - I'm also a fellow member of the at one time had a busted foot group.  I'm a chronic clutz so I'm hoping to also gain some strength and stability to stay away from those nasty injuries. 

[khodabae]

Following! Silks are super fun, can't wait to see you get started. Pull-ups training will be very beneficial. I'm still working on that one too and I can't move to the next level of my trapeze classes till I can show one unassisted. Good luck!

[starsapart]

Well done!  You'll be a fantastic ambassador!

 

I will try hard to live up to expectations!

 

Huzzah!  I see that not only are a pirate lass but also now an ambassador!   And I think aerial silks sound amazing...  I'm definately subbing to learn a few things... 

 

Also - I'm also a fellow member of the at one time had a busted foot group.  I'm a chronic clutz so I'm hoping to also gain some strength and stability to stay away from those nasty injuries. 

 

I definitely won't be doing silks until next challenge (if all goes well) but I will keep improving myself to make the eventual start easier!  Foot injuries are the actual worst.  I can't wait to walk without limping.

 

Following! Silks are super fun, can't wait to see you get started. Pull-ups training will be very beneficial. I'm still working on that one too and I can't move to the next level of my trapeze classes till I can show one unassisted. Good luck!

 

You are one of my inspirations, madam!

 

And yes, I thought it would be helpful (naturally, I want to try trapeze eventually, too; GIVE ME ALL THE CIRCUS ARTS).  We'll get to those pull ups...

 

 

...eventually.

[Batwoman]

What kind of pull-up progression are you doing?

 

[starsapart]

What kind of pull-up progression are you doing?

 

 

THAT GIF!

 

I've been doing reverse bodyweight rows, lowering the bar each time they get easy (soon, I will be starting them from flat on the floor, hopefully!).  I'm also doing pull-downs with cables and with a bar on a lat pull-down machine, and recently I've started doing some assisted pull-ups with resistance band, though I think I still need a bit more strength as these are super duper tough for me.

[The.Introverted.Goddess]

What a great challenge! I hope that your recovery/rehabilitation continues to go well. 

 

Sub'd

[Amp]

 

Yessssssss glad to see you!  Ha, Divergent.  I'd wind up in Erudite, negl.  FORGIVE ME.  I don't agree with the author's seeming perspective that knowledge is the ultimate corrupting force......

 

Incidentally, I'm still working on weight loss, too - I have probably 30 (or more?) pounds to go, but I'm down 24 from where I started and working on learning skills helps make the whole weight loss process more bearable.  Basically I will do all of the above at a steep caloric deficit, doot doot doot.

 

I've only read the first book in the series (and would probably have ended up in Amity), but thus far I've read the hostile Erudite takeover not as a lesson that ultimate knowledge is corrupt, but believing that you are better/smarter/faster than everyone else inevitably leads you to view others as lesser and inferior.  I have that issue sometimes at work thinking "I could do a better job," but aspire to approach life like I am the least enlightened person in the room.  What can I learn from others what can they teach me? (I think I stole this from Don't Sweat the Small Stuff) Who knew teen lit could be so deep? Haha

[lullaby88]

Look at you, Miss Popular. Following along and hope I do better this time around.

 

I'm just waiting on the go-ahead from Hazard to go and start spreading the Assassin love all over the Level 1 forums!

 

As for this, you can start whenever. There is a slight 'procedure' on it so I'll send you a PM with some information. Hazard will also do it but he'll wait until the challenge starts so he catches everyone who wants to be an Ambassador.

[starsapart]

What a great challenge! I hope that your recovery/rehabilitation continues to go well. 

 

Sub'd

 

Thank you!  I will do my best.

 

I've only read the first book in the series (and would probably have ended up in Amity), but thus far I've read the hostile Erudite takeover not as a lesson that ultimate knowledge is corrupt, but believing that you are better/smarter/faster than everyone else inevitably leads you to view others as lesser and inferior.  I have that issue sometimes at work thinking "I could do a better job," but aspire to approach life like I am the least enlightened person in the room.  What can I learn from others what can they teach me? (I think I stole this from Don't Sweat the Small Stuff) Who knew teen lit could be so deep? Haha

 

Fair!  I sort of got a bit of negative vibe towards those with intelligence from the way the latter books were written as well (the idea that high levels of intelligence destroy the potential for empathy, etc) but ha, yes, deep YA lit!!!  It's a frequent thing these days!  Now I want to go home and read something...

 

Look at you, Miss Popular. Following along and hope I do better this time around.

 

As for this, you can start whenever. There is a slight 'procedure' on it so I'll send you a PM with some information. Hazard will also do it but he'll wait until the challenge starts so he catches everyone who wants to be an Ambassador.

 

Ahahahaha I think people come for the gifs.

 

 

Thanks for the additional info via message!  I really appreciate the guidance!

[shaar]

I just love me some gifs!  (With a side of KICKING BUTT!!)

 

[starsapart]

For anyone interested, I finally have my training plan all written up!  After the week in Vegas, it's time to buckle down~  This will get me through weeks 2-6 + zero week.

 

I'll replace the leg machines with squats and lunges and so on... if/when permitted.  I'm not thinking my doctor's going to allow it until the second half of October at best.

 

Looking at this, it looks like a Warrior or maybe Ranger log, oh goodness.  WHERE IS MY YOGA????  WHERE IS MY ZUMBA???  WHEN DO I GET TO DO PARKOUR AGAIN??????  If I can get back to a bit more stability, I'll drop Friday's lifts in favor of yoga, at least.  I don't actually want to lift six days a week, to be honest.  It's just the situation for now.

 

Ah well, I'm getting stronger, anyway.  This isn't a bad way to train right now, when my upper body has a lot of catching up to do...........

[CelebrateCeleste]

I deliberately plagiarized the structure of your challenge, because you lay it out so logically.  Would you be offended if I stole your spreadsheet too?