Erick the Red: Harnessing my Fury

[Erick the Red]

After following elinox’s last challenge, I have started reading Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series (I’m only on the second book -- no spoilers please!).  I was inspired to base this challenge on the interesting magic found in the series, and see if I can bend it to my own purposes.

 

Furies are elemental spirits (earth, water, fire, wind, metal, and wood) that inhabit all aspects of the setting’s main continent, Alera. Some are small and cannot be seen, and others are powerful enough to manifest when called upon by their wielders. They are used to aid people in tasks from housework to combat. An Aleran may draw from the strength of their fury to increase their own. For example, earth-crafters often draw physical might from the ground to allow them to lift loads far too heavy for normal people, while wind-crafters can increase their speed, and metal-crafters their endurance.

 

Water: Used in healing, keeping a youthful appearance, and manipulating water.

 

Goal 1: Stay hydrated: Drink 4 liters of water per day.

 

Goal 2: At least five minutes of pre-hab/re-hab per day, using The Stick and the foam roller.  My muscles and tendons need some healing.

 

Earth: Used to gain strength, manipulate the earth, calm animals, and inspire lust.

 

Goal 3: At least two days per week of lifting heavy iron in the gym.  In a pinch I have dumbbells and a pull-up bar at home, but I want to build the habit (again) of carving out a regular time to lift.

 

Metal: Used in sword play heavily as metal-crafters can change the hardness of metal, allowing them to strike with diamond-hard blades, forge weapons and other precise metal objects, and dramatically increase pain tolerance and physical endurance.

 

Goal 4: At least two times per week, twenty minutes or more of metabolic conditioning, like running/sprints/Tabata/circuit training. 

 

Main Mission: I’m trying to build my work capacity to be able to keep up with the combat scenarios at my first time at Gulf Wars this spring (warning: Youtube video).

[Evicious]

Sub-a-dub-dubbed! I need all the weightlifting motivation I can find, and you, E the R, seem exactly like the kind of person whose footsteps I can follow in. Lead on, fearless leader (wielder?) of the Furies!

[rowan]

Oooh I am a huge fan of the Dresden Files, and every time I finish one there's that little bit in the back of the book where Mr. Butcher says, hey, you should check out my other books even though they are not the Dresden Files they are pretty cool, and I've been pretty resistant to it, but now I think I might give them a second shot.  I will simply use my brain to insert Star Wars references and car chases.

 

I like how focused this challenge is, Mr. Red!  Very specific and incremental, and with the super-awesome end goal of fighting!  Combat is so hilariously exhausting, and you look like you've got the right formula to train for that kind of intense activity.

 

Subbed with joy and knuckle-biting exitement!  CHALLENGE-HO!

[Jakkals]

Reading, iron and swords!!

 

I think I am going to be happy here.

 

All my friends are here too.

[Librarian of Doom]

I <3 the Codex Alera a lot! And I like the challenge theme!

[Evicious]

Winding myself up for tomorrow's challenge kickoff. Looking forward to seeing your workouts!

[Erick the Red]

Sub-a-dub-dubbed! I need all the weightlifting motivation I can find, and you, E the R, seem exactly like the kind of person whose footsteps I can follow in. Lead on, fearless leader (wielder?) of the Furies!

 

Oh, the pressure!  

 

Sometimes (OK, often) I believe this is my calling:

 

Oooh I am a huge fan of the Dresden Files, and every time I finish one there's that little bit in the back of the book where Mr. Butcher says, hey, you should check out my other books even though they are not the Dresden Files they are pretty cool, and I've been pretty resistant to it, but now I think I might give them a second shot.  I will simply use my brain to insert Star Wars references and car chases.

 

I like how focused this challenge is, Mr. Red!  Very specific and incremental, and with the super-awesome end goal of fighting!  Combat is so hilariously exhausting, and you look like you've got the right formula to train for that kind of intense activity.

 

Subbed with joy and knuckle-biting exitement!  CHALLENGE-HO!

 

I was ultra-resistant too, even though I had both real and virtual people telling me the series was good.  I like swords and sorcery, so I went for it.

 

Now I am in the middle of the second book, and it is like a horror movie.  I was mislead.  Not bad, just not my genre of choice.  Still reading though.

 

Reading, iron and swords!!

 

I think I am going to be happy here.

 

All my friends are here too.

 

I hope that I can keep you entertained (see picture above).

 

Friends are good.

 

I <3 the Codex Alera a lot! And I like the challenge theme!

 

Glad you like it.

 

Winding myself up for tomorrow's challenge kickoff. Looking forward to seeing your workouts!

 

You and me both!  I'm planning to be at the gym on Monday for a "push" day: squats, chest press, shoulder press.

 

To what are you pointing in your avatar?

[cavemom]

Your challenge looks good!  Looks like no food goals this time around, have you got that all under control?  That's where I'm struggling at the moment.  Well that, and everything else fitness/health related.

[Erick the Red]

Looks like no food goals this time around, have you got that all under control?  That's where I'm struggling at the moment.  Well that, and everything else fitness/health related.

 

No food goals because my diet is a pit of hopeless failure right now that I can't figure out how to address.  

 

But since I have a few ideas on the other stuff, I figured I would give it a go.

 

And the water goal is a stealth food goal, since I think (hope?) that if I drink more I will eat less.  I noticed you had a similar goal -- good luck to us both!

[Firedance]

No food goals because my diet is a pit of hopeless failure right now that I can't figure out how to address.  

 

Sometimes focusing on something else can make it a lot easier to form habits that you've already been working on. If you put less mental pressure on your diet that might help! At worst nothing changes (besides you becoming very well hydrated).  Just try not to beat on yourself about it while you lift things up and put them down for the next six weeks! 

 

I've been meaning to read the Codex Alexa series, I think I have the first book somewhere...

[Xena]

Haven't read the books but am now curious. How did you pick 4 liters of water? It sounds like it could be a lot...with that much are there any concerns about potential electrolyte issues? I'm just asking because I honestly don't know.

[Erick the Red]

Sometimes focusing on something else can make it a lot easier to form habits that you've already been working on. If you put less mental pressure on your diet that might help! At worst nothing changes (besides you becoming very well hydrated).  Just try not to beat on yourself about it while you lift things up and put them down for the next six weeks! 

 

I've been meaning to read the Codex Alexa series, I think I have the first book somewhere...

 

I think you are on the right track with making mental space for change.  If I am moving in the right direction on the other fronts, I think that it will be easier to pass on the unhealthy.

 

Haven't read the books but am now curious. How did you pick 4 liters of water? It sounds like it could be a lot...with that much are there any concerns about potential electrolyte issues? I'm just asking because I honestly don't know.

 

One liter with breakfast (two large cups; I often do this now). One liter in the morning at the office to finish by lunch (I usually do this as well on weekdays).  One liter in the afternoon before I leave the office (this one I forget because I get busy).  And one at dinner.  I think that I am mixing in enough food to keep my mineral levels OK.  If I die from hyponatremia, tell my family I loved them.

[Xena]

One liter with breakfast (two large cups; I often do this now). One liter in the morning at the office to finish by lunch (I usually do this as well on weekdays).  One liter in the afternoon before I leave the office (this one I forget because I get busy).  And one at dinner.  I think that I am mixing in enough food to keep my mineral levels OK.  If I die from hyponatremia, tell my family I loved them.

 

sounds like you have it pretty well figured out. I think you will be safe, and I'm pretty sure your family knows :-)

[Nikki222]

Love the theme! I have heard wonderful things about the series and I am a sucker for themed challenges!

 

Can't wait to see where you are going!!

 

Cheering for you!!

 

[rowan]

Hmm, four liters (or possibly litres) sounds pretty reasonable - I always have a hard time drinking a lot of water right before or with meals - messes with my stomach.  Plus if you're eating normally you should have plenty of salts.  I used to be worried about hyponatremia, until a friend of mine laughed at me and pointed out that I was eating a bag of potato chips.

[Erick the Red]

sounds like you have it pretty well figured out. I think you will be safe, and I'm pretty sure your family knows :-)

 

Thanks.

 

Can't wait to see where you are going!!

 

You and me both!

 

Hmm, four liters (or possibly litres) sounds pretty reasonable - I always have a hard time drinking a lot of water right before or with meals - messes with my stomach.  Plus if you're eating normally you should have plenty of salts.  I used to be worried about hyponatremia, until a friend of mine laughed at me and pointed out that I was eating a bag of potato chips.

 

I drink a little with, but most in the long barren wastes of time found in between meals.

[Balthazar]

the long barren wastes of time found in between meals.

 

I thought I was the only one who thought like this

[elinox]

Glad you were inspired by my last challenge theme! And I knew you'd love this series too!

 

Sounds like simplifying your goals will make it easier this challenge for you to stick with them. Good luck!

[Erick the Red]

I thought I was the only one who thought like this

 

I exaggerate for dramatic effect.   A little.

 

Glad you were inspired by my last challenge theme! And I knew you'd love this series too!

 

Sounds like simplifying your goals will make it easier this challenge for you to stick with them. Good luck!

 

Thanks.  I need luck, and a smack to the hand if/when I reach for the Twizzlers on the secretary's desk.

[Raxie]

That series looks really interesting! I love those types of stories so I am definitely putting it on my list (my ever growing never ending list...)

 

Gulf Wars looks super cool and such a great thing to work towards! Good luck this year

[Evicious]

Oh, the pressure!  

 

Sometimes (OK, often) I believe this is my calling:

 

 

I was ultra-resistant too, even though I had both real and virtual people telling me the series was good.  I like swords and sorcery, so I went for it.

 

Now I am in the middle of the second book, and it is like a horror movie.  I was mislead.  Not bad, just not my genre of choice.  Still reading though.

 

 

I hope that I can keep you entertained (see picture above).

 

Friends are good.

 

 

Glad you like it.

 

 

You and me both!  I'm planning to be at the gym on Monday for a "push" day: squats, chest press, shoulder press.

 

To what are you pointing in your avatar?

 

The caffeine molecule on my shirt. I'm a coffee hound. Next time you reach for the Twizzlers just remember *knife hand* - DRINK WATER! 

[artemisia victoria]

Love the challenge theme, especially the water element. I need to focus on hydrating better myself. Excited to be hunting with you again!

[artemisia victoria]

Any Dresden fans, check out the awesome accountabilities group The Wild Hunt, that elinox made 

[Erick the Red]

That series looks really interesting! I love those types of stories so I am definitely putting it on my list (my ever growing never ending list...)

 

Gulf Wars looks super cool and such a great thing to work towards! Good luck this year

 

I have a few series of books that I own and have not read.  I buy them from the library's second-hand store, and then if I don't read them in a year I give them back because it turned out htat I didn't want ot read them after all.

 

Thanks.  I need luck and sisu.

 

The caffeine molecule on my shirt. I'm a coffee hound. Next time you reach for the Twizzlers just remember *knife hand* - DRINK WATER! 

 

If it had been a nerdy reference I would have felt bad.  I don't feel so bad then for not reading chemistry.

 

You are a soldier, of course you are a coffee hound.

 

I think I will remember the knife hand, and also the scale from tonight before my shower.  DING DING DING!  NEW HIGH SCORE!!!!  

 

Love the challenge theme, especially the water element. I need to focus on hydrating better myself. Excited to be hunting with you again!

 

Good to see you around still.  A hunter should be committed to the chase, in order to seize the prey.

 

Any Dresden fans, check out the awesome accountabilities group The Wild Hunt, that elinox made 

 

You forgot the link.

[TwinBear]

Outstanding! Looking forward to following your exploits once more.