Strickland5 and the Quest for Magic Half-Marathon, Vol2

[Strickland5]

Keeping this simple. My goal as outlined here is to do a sub-two hour half.

 

To do so I need to increase my running miles, decrease my booze and work on recovery with my bike. For my life goal I need to expand my knowings so, I'm going to read a couple of books - one will probably be on engineering and another photography. 

 

Here we go!

 

Quest 1 Increase the Mileage
Get in a long run and increase my total weekly mileage 

• A - 25+ miles/week
• B - 20-24 miles/week
• C - 15-19 miles/week
• D - 05-14 miles/week
• F - less than 5 miles/week

 

Quest 2 Reduce the booze
Drink at most 4 alcoholic beverage per week.

• A  >4
• B  >5
• C  >6
• D  >7
• F   other

 

Quest 3 Embrace the Bike
Bike at least 4 times over the next 6 weeks

• A  4+
• B  3+
• C  2+
• D  1+
• F  0

 

Life Quest Knowledge is power
Read 2 books in an area of interest that are NOT fiction.

[Shukar]

This area reserved for future response.

[Kailer]

This area reserved for high fives and good luck wishes.

[Strickland5]

Post updated, formatting to follow

[Kailer]

I like it!! These are good, focused goals. I'm looking forward to seeing you crush them!!

[blkhole24601]

Good luck with your training!

Also, what kind of books are you interested in reading? Any specific subject you're looking to read about?

[Strickland5]

Also, what kind of books are you interested in reading? Any specific subject you're looking to read about?

 

I'm going to find a book in Electrical Engineering - specifically building systems - as that's my 9-5 field and the other would be photography as that's my big hobby and occasional side gig.

[blkhole24601]

I'm going to find a book in Electrical Engineering - specifically building systems - as that's my 9-5 field and the other would be photography as that's my big hobby and occasional side gig.

 

Awesome! One for career, one for hobby, it's a good balance. What kind of photography do you do?

[Strickland5]

What kind of photography do you do?

Yes?

 

Mostly cosplay and automotive ... though I occasionally do other things, had some friends ask me to do their newborn shoot which was cool... so yeah I like to photog

[blkhole24601]

Very cool! And hey, from what I understand, if you do take portraits of newborns and family portraits, etc., that's where all the money is at, so they say.

[Strickland5]

Week 1 Day 1 (2014-09-15) 
Quest 1 Increase the Mileage

4 / 25 miles per week

16%

16%

 

Quest 2 Reduce the booze

4/4 left for the week

100%

red; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">100%

 

Quest 3 Embrace the Bike

0/4 rides for the challenge

0%

0%

 

Life Quest Knowledge is power

Currently looking for good techincal books on Electrical Engineering and Photography

[blkhole24601]

Life Quest Knowledge is power

Currently looking for good techincal books on Electrical Engineering and Photography

 

 

I just packed up all my photography books and I can't think of them off the top of my head, but if you want I can try to do a little digging to find out what they are since these were books recommended to me by my photography teachers a couple of years ago. For electrical engineering... I could ask some of my electrical engineering friends, but I think all they have are their college textbooks on hand. I don't know if they did a lot of reading/research on the field once graduating. ;;;

[Strickland5]

I just packed up all my photography books and I can't think of them off the top of my head, but if you want I can try to do a little digging to find out what they are since these were books recommended to me by my photography teachers a couple of years ago. 

Definitely won't mind a suggestion or three I'm debating getting Zack Arias's book Photography Q&A or something along those lines. I'm really wanting to focus on using my Yongnuo YN-560 flash more to create images rather than just snap shots.

 

 

For electrical engineering... I could ask some of my electrical engineering friends, but I think all they have are their college textbooks on hand. I don't know if they did a lot of reading/research on the field once graduating. ;;;

I'm going to snag a copy the Ugly's Reference Guide for sure ... but am not too sure if its 100% reference or has some technical. I do have a copy of the 2014 NEC handbook but reading pure code is just a great way to fall a sleep. Going to ask some coworkers for recommendations too.

[blkhole24601]

 

Definitely won't mind a suggestion or three I'm debating getting Zack Arias's book Photography Q&A or something along those lines. I'm really wanting to focus on using my Yongnuo YN-560 flash more to create images rather than just snap shots.

 

 

I'm going to snag a copy the Ugly's Reference Guide for sure ... but am not too sure if its 100% reference or has some technical. I do have a copy of the 2014 NEC handbook but reading pure code is just a great way to fall a sleep. Going to ask some coworkers for recommendations too.

 

 

Then next break I get, I'll dig through my email and see if I can't find the books. Are you interested in general photography, or something specific? Because I have a couple of lighting technique books, too...

 

Coworkers are probably the best source since they're your immediate peers. I only have one electrical engineering book that I barely opened when I took Electronics in college, so I don't know how useful it'll actually be. ;;

[Strickland5]

Then next break I get, I'll dig through my email and see if I can't find the books. Are you interested in general photography, or something specific? Because I have a couple of lighting technique books, too...

Currently I'm thinking lighting techniques ... just found the Speedliter's Handbook which intrigues me.

[Strickland5]

Week 1 Day 2 (2014-09-16) 
Quest 1 Increase the Mileage

Did a 4 mile run today!

8/ 25 miles per week

32%

32%

 

Quest 2 Reduce the booze

No booze last night!

4/4 drinks left for the week

100%

red; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">100%

 

Quest 3 Embrace the Bike

Bike goes to the shop later today

0/4 rides for the challenge

0%

0%

 

Life Quest Knowledge is power

0/2 books read

0%

0%

Currently waiting on feedback from coworkers on EE books and blkhole24601 for photog books

[blkhole24601]

Here are some of the books I bought for my photography class a couple of years ago... 

 

The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman

The Creative Digital Darkroom by Katrin Eismann and Sean Duggan

Basics Photography: Lighting by David Prakel

Total Digital Photography by Chris George

 

They should all be available on Amazon. I forget which one I liked the best... I think it was Total Digital Photography. The Creative Digital Darkroom is more Photoshop techniques iirc. 

 

Hope these fit what you're looking for!!

[KillerGriller]

Good Luck Strickland

[Strickland5]

Good Luck Strickland

Thanks KG! 

 

Are you doing a challenge this time around?

[KillerGriller]

yep, same old - same old...

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/54290-kg-again-with-the-all-the-running/

[elsfaire]

Looks like you are off to a great start!

[Strickland5]

Week 1 Day 3 (2014-09-17) 
Quest 1 Increase the Mileage

Did 1.75 miles at boot camp today - see battle log for details 

9.75/ 25 miles per week

39%

39%

 

Quest 2 Reduce the booze

Going out with my father in-law tonight so booze will probably happen 

3/4 drinks left for the week

75%

red; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">75%

 

Quest 3 Embrace the Bike

Bike needed a new tube and now is road worthy again!

0/4 rides for the challenge

0%

0%

 

Life Quest Knowledge is power

0/2 books read

0%

0%

Book selected and soon to be ordered

[blkhole24601]

Don't worry so much about the boozing with the father-in-law; it's why you built in the allowance of 4, right? In any case, I'm sure you can find a better alternative to the booze if you really want to avoid it!

 

Awesome work on your progress so far, and woo for bike being road worthy!!

[Strickland5]

So ...  I had this

with my lunch

 

Red Hare Oktoberfest - a very tasty local brew ... which in reality I should have probably skip but don't regret having as it was GOOD. 

[Strickland5]

In more positive news ... ordered my reading materials Ugly's Electrical References, 2014 Edition, Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light, and Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2015

 

Hoping to read the REVIT and Lighting books for my Life Quest ... thanks to Amazon Prime I should have all three by Friday!