NicTheRugger Rallies with the Warriors

[NicTheRugger]

Hello there, brother and sister warriors! I was in the Assassin's Guild for the past few challenges, but have realized that I'm more of a warrior when it comes to fitness because I'm a big fan of weight-training. So I decided that I should go to the guild that encompasses my current fitness interests. I might return there one day, but for now, I hope you have room for one more!

 

A little background: I'm a law student, with precious little time for lifting, but always carve out time to do so. I started strength-training in mid-January after almost a year of no strength-training after a lifting accident caused me to pop a knee! Yikes! But since January, I went from struggling to squat just the barbell to squatting 85 lbs. It's not super impressive, but it's more than I was ever able to lift while I was in college. I struggled to squat just 60 lbs back then. My gainz are small, but significant to me. I've taken 2 weeks off because I have a healing tattoo on my hip that made all lower-body movements difficult, but now that it's healed up I can't wait to jump back into training. Two weeks without squats make for two very sad weeks.

 

The Challenge:

I want to keep training and resume my previous schedule of lifting 3xs a week, but also incorporate more frequently and better quality stretching (on off days) and at least one cardio *shudder* session a week. 

 

Challenge 1: Lift strong, lift well.

I only know a limited amount of lifts: bench press, dead lift, squat, bicep curls, and bent-over barbell rows. I do 5 sets of 5 for these exercises. I tend to switch between bicep curls and the bent-over rows, but do the first three every workout on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

My goal for the challenge: try to add at least another 20 pounds to each of my lifts.

 

Current Lifting Weights:

Squat: 85 lbs 5x5

Deadlift: 85 lbs 5x5

Bench Press: 65 lbs 5x5

Bent-over row: 45 lbs (just the bar) 5x5

Bicep curl: 50 lbs 5x5

 

Anticipated/Ideal Weight to Be Lifted by challenge end:

Squat: 105 lbs 5x5

Deadlift: 105 lbs 5x5

Bench Press: 85 lbs 5x5

Bent-over Row: 65 lbs 5x5

Bicep Curl: 70 lbs 5x5

 

Challenge 2: The Dreaded Cardio (or... RUN AWAY!)

 

I love Monty Python, and talking about running makes me think of this scene every time. 

I hate running, but lets face it, a warrior sometimes needs to run to the battle field once your horse takes an arrow to the knee cannot valiantly deliver you to battle. It's finally getting warm out, so I want to run outside at least once a week.

 

Challenge 3: A stiff warrior is an injured warrior (stretch more!)

I need to stretch more often. I always warm up and cool down after a workout, but I want to improve my range of motion and general flexibility, meaning that on days that I don't lift, I need to either go through a couple sun salutations in the morning, or I need to go through a full warm-up just to keep limber.

 

Challenge 4: The Life Challenge

I have finals in less than a month, and want to make sure I do as well as I can! This will come in two phases: Phase 1 is to get all of my outlines/flashcards ready by 25 April. Phase 2 is to study as much as humanly possible to make sure that I can do as well as possible. I need at least B+s in all of my classes this semester.

 

Well, I'm excited to see where this challenge goes! I'm excited to be a warrior-in-training!

 

[SevenofSeven]

Welcome Nic and good luck with those awesome goals!

I take my hat off, studying and finding time to lift, I suck at time management.

Hope you enjoy the Warriors.

[lucky fire dragon]

Thanks for the hint where to find you   I was wondering.

 

Here to follow the awesome and cheer you on, wherever guild you go. May you lift all the exams high and strong, run like the wind and of course never forget to laugh and have fun (loving the Monty Python thrown in)

 

I'll rest here so long and watch you

[Balthazar]

welcome back!

[jaex]

Yay another challenge from the law student!  I'm definitely subbed and be will rooting for you to make your weight-lifting goals.  

[NicTheRugger]

Day 1! Woohoo!

 

I started today off strong with a lift. It's not my best lift to-date, but considering I've been off my game for 2 weeks, I'll consider it a success.

Here's today's stats:

 

Bench press: 3x5 @ 65 lbs

Squat: 1x5 @ 85 lbs, 2x5 @ 80 lbs

Bent-over rows: 5x5 @ 45 lbs

 

I skipped deadlifts today to make sure I would be able to walk to school today. I'll work them in on Wednesday. I'm hoping to get back up to my full 5x5 sets by Friday. I tend to bounce back pretty quickly from short breaks away from lifting so here's hoping!

 

Tomorrow's forecast is rain, so I'll try for either Wednesday or Thursday for a run.

 

I'm pretty stiff right now, from a combination of a weekend full of softball, lifting this morning, and from sitting in a chair pretty much all day. I'll probably do some light stretching before bed.

 

And now back to the drudgery of homework! 

[NicTheRugger]

Good morning, world! 

 

Day 3 of the challenge and things are looking up! I woke up rather sore yesterday from my first day back lifting, but it was the good kind of sore. I did a relaxing set of sun salutations before bed, and had a pretty good night's sleep. 

 

I didn't go to the gym this morning, as my body demanded some extra sleep. Sometimes you just have to listen, you know? I will, however, go this evening. 

 

On a personal level, I was offered a position as a research assistant with my property professor this summer, and am going to accept! I start the week after finals end. I just need to pass a background check (school policy) and fill out some paperwork. I'm really excited because I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get a job for the summer. I also really get along with the professor, and find his interest areas fascinating. I hope everyone has a marvelous day today!

 

Oh, speaking of Marvel. Has anyone seen Daredevil on Netflix? I've watched a few of the episodes and want to know what people think. I've never read the comics so I'm interested in a conversation about that!

[DJtrippyT]

"I can't lift because my tattoo is healing" is the best badass comment ever!

[jaex]

Congrats on the summer research position!  That's fantastic.  You must be doing well in the law school classes.  

[HDLevs]

Daredevil......... Episode 2 finale almost brought a tear to my eye with the abundant levels of awesome and it only gets better after that. EPIC enuf said. 

[Balthazar]

Daredevil is great - they have really captured how gritty daredevil is - I also like how they have displayed well that he is just a normal guy who can get messed up and hurt. It bothers me sometimes when normal, but well trained, heroes seem to be as indestructible as Thor and hit as hard as Hulk

[NicTheRugger]

"I can't lift because my tattoo is healing" is the best badass comment ever!

Hah, thanks! I didn't feel all that badass when I tried to do a squat and realized that I might rip a scab open.

 

Congrats on the summer research position!  That's fantastic.  You must be doing well in the law school classes.  

Thank you! I was really surprised I got it.  

 

Daredevil......... Episode 2 finale almost brought a tear to my eye with the abundant levels of awesome and it only gets better after that. EPIC enuf said. 

I can see that! I'm on episode 9 and wow, things are intense. I'm really liking the character development for all of the characters. Even the minor "side" characters are really well-developed and likeable-- even Fisk! I want to hate him but there's something about him that makes me feel sorry for him and sympathetic.

 

Daredevil is great - they have really captured how gritty daredevil is - I also like how they have displayed well that he is just a normal guy who can get messed up and hurt. It bothers me sometimes when normal, but well trained, heroes seem to be as indestructible as Thor and hit as hard as Hulk

That's very true. He's a normal guy--with extraordinary skills, to be sure-- and I'm glad that the writers are treating him as one. On a semi-related note... those fight scenes? Amazing. They are so incredibly well-choreographed. It's like watching art on a screen.

[NicTheRugger]

An update!

 

I had a great gym session Wednesday night. While I wasn't lifting my full 5x5 sets yet, I was able to get back up to my full weight where I was two weeks ago!

 

Squats: 3x5 @85 lbs

Deadlift: 3x5 @85 lbs

Bench: 3x5 @65 lbs

Bicep curls: 3x5 @40 lbs

 

I also got in some hanging leg-lifts and some other ab work. Left the gym tired but in a great mood.

 

I didn't go for a run yesterday because I was busy preparing for my oral argument which in the middle of the afternoon. I was planning on going tomorrow, because the forecast is predicting blue skies and warm temps. 

 

I may have forgotten to stretch yesterday, outside of some light stretching I did in my apartment to de-tense my shoulders. Looking forward to a lift tonight and a great weekend of studying and visiting my sister!

[NicTheRugger]

Whoop whoop! It's Sunday, the end of week one!

 

Here's a brief recap of the past couple of days:

 

Friday: had a really great lifting session. I'm pretty much back to where I was two weeks ago with squats and deadlifts, which means that I'm tacking on another 5 lbs to my workout to squats, and 10 lbs to my deadlift tomorrow!

Squats: 5x5 @85 lbs

Deadlifts: 5x5 @85 lbs

Bench: 4x5 @65 lbs

Bent-over rows: 5x5 @45 lbs

 

I also did 5x5 standing oblique crunches with the 25 lb weight, and a few hanging crunches.

 

Saturday: I went for a run! It was slightly under a mile, but I was sore and tired, so I took it slow and made the best of it that I could. I'm really not a runner. I actually quite despise running, but since I'll be running a Spartan race in a little under 3 months, I figure I should probably start getting myself used to it sooner rather than later. 

 

I had a good stretch yesterday, and will definitely do another one tonight. I'm going to Philly today to visit my sister, so that's about 4 hours of driving for me, meaning that I will definitely be needing to stretch after so much car-time. 

 

I'm really excited to see where this challenge goes! Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

[SevenofSeven]

Great first week, Nic, awesome!

[DJtrippyT]

Doing awesome! I totally want to do a Spartan race too (preferably in a Xena costume) so I'm gonna be letting you inspire me

 

I share your love/hate w running, btw. I know it's supposed to be the best for cardio, but I always wind up injured after a few weeks. I may just not have the frame for it. 

 

go go go you're doing great!

[Ciara]

I FOUND YOU! you sneaky little- you should still be in the assassins lol. No I'm joking, be wherever you want! Your challenge looks sick. Way to be a BAMF!

[lucky fire dragon]

You are doing so awesome!!! Yay on all the gym fun and congrats on the research job, that is so cool

 

[HDLevs]

Hah, thanks! I didn't feel all that badass when I tried to do a squat and realized that I might rip a scab open.

Thank you! I was really surprised I got it.

I can see that! I'm on episode 9 and wow, things are intense. I'm really liking the character development for all of the characters. Even the minor "side" characters are really well-developed and likeable-- even Fisk! I want to hate him but there's something about him that makes me feel sorry for him and sympathetic.

That's very true. He's a normal guy--with extraordinary skills, to be sure-- and I'm glad that the writers are treating him as one. On a semi-related note... those fight scenes? Amazing. They are so incredibly well-choreographed. It's like watching art on a screen.

Daredevil has completely erased the movie from my mind and I don't understand why it exists in this time space continuum anymore. Great job on your first week. Following any plan for the running?

[Balthazar]

have fun in philly!

[NicTheRugger]

Great first week, Nic, awesome!

Thanks!

 

Doing awesome! I totally want to do a Spartan race too (preferably in a Xena costume) so I'm gonna be letting you inspire me

 

I share your love/hate w running, btw. I know it's supposed to be the best for cardio, but I always wind up injured after a few weeks. I may just not have the frame for it. 

 

go go go you're doing great!

In a Xena costume?! That's awesome! I definitely want to know when that's happening. 

 

I FOUND YOU! you sneaky little- you should still be in the assassins lol. No I'm joking, be wherever you want! Your challenge looks sick. Way to be a BAMF!

Lol. I'll probably be going back to the Assassins after this challenge to focus on Spartan-specific training! It's great to see you again!

 

You are doing so awesome!!! Yay on all the gym fun and congrats on the research job, that is so cool

 

Aww, thanks!

 

Daredevil has completely erased the movie from my mind and I don't understand why it exists in this time space continuum anymore. Great job on your first week. Following any plan for the running?

Not particularly. Right now, the most important thing is just getting myself outside and used to running again. I did the treadmill thing back when it was cold, but running on a treadmill and running outside are two very different animals, and I'm just trying to get used to that again.

 

have fun in philly!

Thanks! It was a lot of fun!

[NicTheRugger]

Week 2, Day 2:

 

Good morning, campers! Let the second week begin!

 

Monday:

Monday morning was a bit of a struggle. I woke up with a pretty bad headache (weather/allergy induced?), and just did not get my game together until I got to school. 20 minutes before classes start. I usually get there at 9, but yesterday I wasn't at the school until 10:40-ish! Good news was that I finally got my hands on some Kenyan tea, which is extremely strong-- I could stay awake in class. The rainy weather yesterday was just putting me to sleep!

I got to the gym around 8:45 p.m., just after a tornado warning ended. (Who knew that central Pennsylvania got tornadoes?!) After a much-needed warm-up, I got down to lifting. I started "up-ing" weights, so while there aren't as many sets as usual, I can definitely feel the results this morning.

 

Ze lift: 

Bench-press: 2x5 @65 lbs, 1x5@ 70 lbs

Squat: 2x5 @95 lbs

Deadlift: 5x5 @ 95 lbs

Bent-over row: 5x5 @ 45 lbs (I forgot to chuck some weights on... oops!)

Standing side-crunches: 5x5 @ 25 lbs or 15 lbs (switched up to create controlled chaos) 

Naturally, there was a cool-down and some rather needed foam rolling. I'm pretty sure I heard my spine crack in 4 or 5 different places.

 

Tuesday

I slept in until 7 a.m. today, since I had trouble falling asleep last night. However, once I was able to drag myself out of bed, I did a nice morning stretch focusing on my back and hips due to the increased weights from last night. I have my contracts outline pulled up and once I hit "post" on this entry, that's what I'll be doing until I go to school! I'll probably bring my computer with me so I can continue working on things at the school (I usually don't because I have a lot of heavy books, and who wants to throw out a back due to books?!). 

 

I hope everyone's having a fantastic day!

[Balthazar]

One thing with living in the UK - no tornadoes or hurricanes

[jaex]

Great week one NicTheRugger!  And good luck with finishing your first year of law school!

 

One thing with living in the UK - no tornadoes or hurricanes

 

Also no sun 

[Balthazar]

Great week one NicTheRugger!  And good luck with finishing your first year of law school!

 

 

Also no sun 

 

LIES AND HERESY

 

I Saw It . . . .

 

. . . . once