NicTheRugger: Then we will fight in the shade

[NicTheRugger]

Friends, Rebels, Countrymen, lend me your ears;

I came to create good habits this day!

The sloth that doth do infect men's minds grows near,

When mighty warriors forgo their training,

And do nothing! So let it be today,

That this Assassin picks the route that calls--

The way of the Spartan. 

 

Okay, I tried. I'm a huge Shakespeare nerd, and Marc Anthony's speech in Julius Caesar is a truly remarkable one. So, here's the thing. I've been planning on doing a Spartan race for almost a year now. I've found one that'll be near me in July. Yes, that's 5 months away. Yes, that's plenty of time to train. And that's the thing. I want to not just complete a Spartan race. I want to excel at it. Not win, but certainly not finish dead last. I want to make myself a real Spartan mind, body, and spirit. 

 

I was planning on training with the rangers or the warriors this time around, but... I realized that the Spartans, Leonidas's 300s, were essentially the most deadly Assassins in Europe at the time. Warrior discipline, Assassin skills, Ranger endurance. The best combo I can imagine. As such, I want to train for the next 5 months like a Spartan.

 

Challenge 1: Warrior Discipline

I'm a huge fan of Xena, Warrior Princess. If I could turn into any fictional character, it would be a tie between Xena, Wonder Woman, or Black Widow. Xena's incredibly strong, and has incredible physical discipline that comes as a result of her warrior ethos. If I want to run a Spartan race, I need to be strong like Xena and adopt her warrior ethos.

My goal: strength-train three times a week. I can do three basic exercises: bench press, deadlift, and squat. I do sets 5x5, and want to slowly work my way up. I'm currently benching the bar+10 (55 lbs), deadlifting bar+15 (60 lbs), and squatting bar+15 (60 lbs). By the end of the six week challenge, I want to be able to bench 75 lbs, deadlift 90, and squat anywhere from 80-90. 

 

Challenge 2: Way of the Assassin

(Because who doesn't want a gif of Ezio jumping as Assassin motivation?!) Assassins are agile, strong, and disciplined. I'm going to channel my inner Assassin that's been sluggish because of the cold lately and turn her into a Spartan machine. I'm planning on working on bodyweight as well as lifting (on the same days, because I try to keep all of my workouts condensed). 

Specifically, I want to work on my upper body, because I am terrible at push-ups and can't do a pull-up. So I'm going to train my upper body to do these things. I'm going to work towards pull-ups by working on the monkey-bar set in my gym and by doing hanging leg-lifts. By doing hanging leg-lifts, I not only work on abs, but I also work on strengthening my grip and my bag and triceps. I'd like to be able to do a pull-up and 2x20 hanging leg lifts by the end of the challenge.

 

Challenge 3: Ranger Endurance

Aragorn can run and run and run and be awesome and become a king. And he's pretty awesome. I hate running, but if I'm going to become a Spartan, then I'm going to have to go running. The goal: go running at least once a week. Probably on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Or both. If I can manage it. I hate running. So much. But I want to be a Spartan and sometimes that means doing things I don't like. 

 

 

Alright! I can do this! Aroo! Aroo! Aroo!

 

[lucky fire dragon]

Powerful stuff! 

 

I'm in to cheer you on and be inspired by your awesomeness

 

Is there anything you can do to make running more pleasant for you? Right music? Audio book to listen to? Interesting tracks to run?

[NicTheRugger]

I'm not sure! I've tried just about everything. Audio books, music, running outside (more tolerable, but with sub-zero temperatures, that's just not going to happen right now. I'd rather run inside than risk breaking an ankle on the ice). I'm thinking about going onto youtube and pulling up old rugby games (the world cup is this year after all!!). I figure I can watch rugby and run at the same time, and if I can run for at least half a game (40 minutes), then I'll be happy. Hopefully my joy of watching rugby will outweigh the dread of running. 

[lucky fire dragon]

that sounds like a good plan

And if you run fast enough it might give invincible super powers to your fav team

[Mikroftt]

I love watching Rugby but have never played it.  I find that with biking indoors I do better when I am watching sports or my favorite TV show.  I hear you on not running outside when it is icy.  I am looking forward to spring when I can get outside again. 

[ApfelStrudi]

Xena, Assassin's Creed and Aragorn all in one challenge?

Are you my spirit animal? 

 

I'm loving this. 

 

I used to hate running, too. All my life, with a burning passion. I still find it hard to motivate myself sometimes. I've found that audiobooks and podcasts work really well for me, especially if they're somewhat funny. What really, really helps me is the Zomies, Run app. I feel like sometimes when you get into the rhythm of doing it, you learn to love it. Right now I have to force myself to not go running rather than the other way around.  

 

If you've got the chance to watch something though that might be a really good plan. Should at least make time go by faster

[Leimanu]

Do intervals when running?  Or maybe that would make you concentrate on time too much instead of just letting the time float by.

 

Good luck with the challenge!

[NicTheRugger]

Xena, Assassin's Creed and Aragorn all in one challenge?

Are you my spirit animal? 

 

I'm loving this. 

 

I used to hate running, too. All my life, with a burning passion. I still find it hard to motivate myself sometimes. I've found that audiobooks and podcasts work really well for me, especially if they're somewhat funny. What really, really helps me is the Zomies, Run app. I feel like sometimes when you get into the rhythm of doing it, you learn to love it. Right now I have to force myself to not go running rather than the other way around.

 

If you've got the chance to watch something though that might be a really good plan. Should at least make time go by faster

I've never been anyone's spirit animal before!!  *blushes* I'm really hoping that this challenge will get me to actually like running. Or at least tolerate it. I associate running with my undergrad days of trying to lose weight on the treadmill, so I'm hoping that by making it a small part of my workout, rather than the only thing that I do, that I'll eventually grow to like it. I'm sure that once it gets warm out and I can start running outside it'll be better.

 

Do intervals when running?  Or maybe that would make you concentrate on time too much instead of just letting the time float by.

 

Good luck with the challenge!

I've tried intervals. It really does make me focus on the time, making me cranky and less likely to do it. Hopefully putting on a match will make the half hour or so just zoom by. 

And thanks! You too!

[NicTheRugger]

 

Challenge Day 1: AROO

Yay, start of the challenge! Woke up, rolled out of bed, and went to the gym!

 

Challenge 1: Warrior Discipline

I added an extra 5 pounds to my squat and deadlift today, so now I'm squatting/deadlifting 65 lbs! My legs and back are so sore. But it feels pretty awesome because the soreness means that it's working. I'm also happy because I was worried that lifting 20 lbs + bar would cause my knee to hurt but it's alright! I guess there's something to slowly stacking on the weight! Bench is still at 55 lbs, but that's alright with me, because I'm still struggling to get the full 5x5 sets in at that weight. I think by next week I should be able to bump it up another 5 lbs. 

 

Challenge 2: Assassin Deadliness

This one is going to be a little bit tougher than I thought. I might just do my pull-up work at home, where I have a pull-up bar that I can actually reach without having to jump to reach it. Also, there's no good way for me to do inverted rows at the gym, because there are all these things in the way. Namely benches and people. And the one bar that's at the right level for me to do IRs is tearing up my hands. My hands are not very happy with me right now. BUT, I did do the hanging leg lifts. I think I'm going to have to stretch my back and work my core a bit more during this challenge, because I could only do 5 lifts per set. And did only 2 sets. It's also difficult for me to lift my legs to a 90 degree angle, so I figure that if I stretch more, I should be just fine. 

 

Challenge 3: Ranger Endurance

Today is not a running day.... Tomorrow, however, is when it begins! I'll be heading to the gym at some point after class to go for a run.

[Mikroftt]

I almost think that the quote should be emphasized the other way.  Too many time I find myself pushing my body but my mind stops short.  

 

Great workout this morning!  I hear you on the flexibility for leg movements.  I am finding the more I stretch my hips the better.  It was never really emphasized that hips are part of the core, nor that you should stretch them.  I am finding out that the more I strength and stretch them, the better I feel.

 

Keep it up!

[NicTheRugger]

  I am finding the more I stretch my hips the better.  It was never really emphasized that hips are part of the core, nor that you should stretch them.  I am finding out that the more I strength and stretch them, the better I feel.

 

Keep it up!

I agree completely! Legs and shoulders are always emphasized, but I don't think anyone really realizes how important it is to have good hip mobility until you're trying to do something that requires a higher-than-average amount of it! 

 

Challenge Day 2:

This one made me giggle. And it's pretty bad*** if you think about it. 

 

So it's the second day of the challenge! I just got back from my run and had a refreshing glass of chocolate milk. I wasn't able to do very much. A little less than 20 minutes of running and walking, and then my ankle decided that nope, I was done. I'm trying to get better at listening to my body, so I stopped when I was on a "walk" cycle. Watching the rugby game really helped, even for just that brief period of time, because I was focused more on the game rather than on the clock. 

 

I'm going to try and make it to the gym again this Thursday that way I can slowly build up my endurance! I want to be able to run for a full half of a match (40 minutes).

 

I'm a little concerned about making it to the gym for the third time this week, because I have an internship interview on Friday, at 10 a.m., which means that in order to get there (it's two hours away), I have to leave at 7:30 to make sure I'm on time and can compose myself before going in. After the interview, I have to drive the 2 hours back, and then help out Admissions with an open house for the school (because I can't say no when they ask... I feel morally obligated, since they're the ones who admitted me to the school in the first place...) which could last until 7 p.m.! And on Saturday, I have more open house stuff! If I can't make it on Friday (which I don't think I'll be able to, because my Friday is just so jam-packed), then I'll try to make it Saturday afternoon, once I'm done with the open-house stuff. Fingers crossed!

[lillucia]

Nic, this looks like such an inspiring challenge! Subscribed
 

Stellar start too.

[Mikroftt]

Good luck with the interview later this week!  As for the running, at least you were able to get some in before the ankle started to hurt.  Keep up the good start and you will be to half a match in no time!

[NicTheRugger]

Challenge Day 3:

 

There is definitely pain today, my friends. I added another 5 pounds to my deadlift, which brings me up to 70 lbs. So much soreness. It was pretty awesome. I did tricep dips in place of pushups, and dumbbell rows for pull-up training using the 15 pound dumbbell. Skipped the bench press today for tricep dips. 

 

Challenges 1 and 2 are complete for today! Depending on how much work I can get done today, I might go for another run tomorrow. I'm missing both my normal class and a makeup class on Friday, but I want to get the work done anyway so I don't get behind.... But I still have tomorrow's hw to do, because I didn't yesterday.

 

Last night I had a mock trial competition, and I think it went rather well. I made some mistakes (who doesn't?!), but the feedback I got was helpful. Hopefully my partner and I will progress to the next round and continue being awesome. 

 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

[lucky fire dragon]

I agree completely! Legs and shoulders are always emphasized, but I don't think anyone really realizes how important it is to have good hip mobility until you're trying to do something that requires a higher-than-average amount of it! 

 

Challenge Day 2:

This one made me giggle. And it's pretty bad*** if you think about it. 

 

 

This is brilliant!! I don't believe in any devil but if there one, this is what I'd want him to think, YES

 

Made me giggle too and might become my new mantra for mornings like today, when it was sooooo tough to get up in the morning and get active. Turn a bleh morning into an awesome day hah

 

I feel you on the scheduling thing for the workouts, same here this week. I have a sweet visit planned with friends where I will stay over and will be gone for both Saturday and Sunday. Now I am trying to see how to fit in my goals before then so that I can enjoy the visit thoroughly

Holding thumbs for your Saturday workout!!

 

And yay on the mock trial competition. Sounds like you had fun

[DJtrippyT]

Clicked on for the 300 quote, following for the Xena

 

I want to do a Spartan too! So I'll be admiring your training and looking for tips!

[NicTheRugger]

Guys, I made it through the weekend!

 

Week 1 Wrap-Up:

I was only able to go running that once on Tuesday. However, I was indeed able to make it to the gym. Friday night. After waking up at 5:30 for an interview, being on the road for 5 hours, and having to give tours and look official for my school's open house. And then I went out dancing like a crazy person. Tbh I'm still sore. (Although that might be from the gym this morning. Honestly, I can't tell) Saturday was more admissions stuff. Plus side, Admissions has encouraged to apply for an actual paying job, as opposed to just free labor. I'm going to weigh my options and see if it's worth it (it just might be. Resume building and all that. And money.)

 

All of my challenges were met for the week, and that's giving me the confidence to hit week 2 strong, even if I'm still really tired. (Three late nights in a row-- two for fun, and one for srs adult life. Ew) 

[NicTheRugger]

Challenge Day 8:

 

Challenge 1: Warrior Discipline

Woke up and dragged my sorry self to the gym. I did bench press and squats. I wasn't feeling the deadlift today.

 

Challenge 2: Assassin Stealth

I worked on pull-up stuff today-- one armed dumbbell rows. I'll do my ab work tonight.

 

Challenge 3: And the beat gets runnin' runnin'

Tomorrow is a running day!

[Mikroftt]

At least you made it to the gym to get some workout in.  So that means you are in better shape than your self that stayed in bed!  Keep it up!

[jaex]

I'm not sure! I've tried just about everything. Audio books, music, running outside (more tolerable, but with sub-zero temperatures, that's just not going to happen right now. I'd rather run inside than risk breaking an ankle on the ice). I'm thinking about going onto youtube and pulling up old rugby games (the world cup is this year after all!!). I figure I can watch rugby and run at the same time, and if I can run for at least half a game (40 minutes), then I'll be happy. Hopefully my joy of watching rugby will outweigh the dread of running. 

 

Maybe just get going with a jog right after waking (i.e. before you can realize how unenjoyable it is) and keep it short.  Run fast! 

 

Glad to see you are still here (I disappeared for a bit last challenge).  How did the first semester of law school wrap up for you?

[DJtrippyT]

You're more disciplined tban me, I can never make myself run on the treadmill. Good work and smart choices tbis week!

[NicTheRugger]

Maybe just get going with a jog right after waking (i.e. before you can realize how unenjoyable it is) and keep it short.  Run fast! 

 

Glad to see you are still here (I disappeared for a bit last challenge).  How did the first semester of law school wrap up for you?

Hey there, Jaex! Good to see you back on NF!  

My first semester went alright. My grades weren't as good as I would have liked, but I'm hoping to pull them up this semester. 

 

You're more disciplined tban me, I can never make myself run on the treadmill. Good work and smart choices tbis week!

Thanks! Welcome to the party!

[NicTheRugger]

 

Challenge Day 9

 

Challenge 1: Warrior Discipline

I added another 5 pounds to my squat and deadlift, so now I'm at 75 for both!

Squats went well today at the gym, I was able to get in the whole 5x5 set/reps. Deadlifts, however.... I got extremely light-headed and was only able to do 2x5 before feeling like I was either going to faint, puke, or some combination thereof. I'm not entirely sure what happened, and I'm not sure if it's because I've added more weight or because of a number of outside factors like tiredness/stress/hunger/etc. But I feel really good after the workout, so I'm assuming that that just means that I'll have to push myself even harder on Friday. I'm still at 55 lbs for bench press, but I'll try to take it up to 60 this Friday.

 

Challenge 2: Assassin-y Awesomeness

I did no pull-up training today, but I did attempt to do leg-lifts. I couldn't even do 2 sets of 5, because of that weird lightheaded spell I had (see above) while at the gym. I'll try to get both in later today, if I can get all my work for tomorrow done on time. 

 

Challenge 3: Ranger Endurance

There was an ice storm yesterday, making it too dangerous to run outside, or even risk driving. Tomorrow, however, should be better. Not to mention I'll have less work to do tomorrow. 

[jaex]

Sorry about the lightheadness - that is scary.  Hopefully it was a just a one-time thing.  And hope you stay safe with the ice storm!

[lucky fire dragon]

take care of yourself and be extra attentive with that lightheadedness, not worth any injuries. It'll pass, whatever it is and then you can kick even more ass

I know patience is a tough one - should be added to tough assassini skills, patience

 

Hope you're all good again by now and having a fabulous week 2!