Darkfoxx 20 Actual: Grab Your Gun And Bring In The Cat

[darkfoxx]

Because maths and me don’t really get along, and time slips. I did the research, and this is actually my 20th challenge. Name also spelled correctly in title? Check.

 

—

 

 

Challenge Theme: Wommens. I’m too scattered to coalesce all my disparate goals into just one theme. Plus, from the title & teaser alone, I’ve already got 2 fandoms representing. So: let’s just roll with Badass Women and see how far I can carry that loose thread. 

 

—

 

Google image search for badass elf: While I picture my handle with a bow or a blade and somewhere up high, this is probably much more of an accurate depiction of my personality elf-ified. Fire. Combat boots. Urban. I’d go for purple hair over pink. Vaguely gothy. Tatts. Plus, this elf doesn’t have gigundous boobs, and her outfit at least looks comfortable. 

 

 

--

 

As summer wanes and race season slides into its slow decline, I can’t help but look forward to Winter and what the next chapter in my story may bring. I feel like all of 2015’s big hurdles are behind me (except TM; but I’m not focusing on TM, lest I freak myself out re: possible hypothermia and tear gas) and I’m trying not to languish in the post-race-season doldrums.

 

What I Have Left 

 

2 virtual 10ks in September

Tough Mudder in November

Probably the Turkey Trot 4-miler on Thanksgiving

Maybe one of the hot chocolate runs in December

Whatever other virtual runs or rucks I have to do to beat the DH’s number of medals for the year

 

For the remainder of this season (I’m calling either my last official road race of the year or December 31 the end of season - it remains to be seen when this will actually be), I want to continue doing things that bring me joy and keep me engaged, while forcing myself out of my comfort zone so I’ll actually accomplish the things I want to accomplish instead of frolicking in easy mode all willy-nilly like, as I am wont to do. 

 

 

What I Like

 

Real life rucking badasses

 

Rucking. Who knew? I’m still shocked. Since I’m liking rucking so much, I plan on continuing to do that while the weather holds out. I’ll be stuck inside all winter with only the treadmill for comfort, why miss out on prime fun time when I don’t have to? Plus: Ranger street cred. Who doesn’t want more of that? Will this help with my overall goals? I don’t know, but weight + distance can’t be a bad thing. So, On Mondays, We Ruck.

 

 

I can only dream of being this badass when I’m her age

 

Yoga. Yoga is fun, and my body needs it in order to accomplish the things it wants to achieve. Without yoga, I’m a hot mess of injuries and hobbles. Yoga is definitely staying, and I’ll still continue to try adding cool new poses to my arsenal, while working on building rock solid fundamentals. 

 

 

And, because I have not yet used her and she’s the OG woman badass (at least to me - this is the first identifiably physically strong woman in a move or on TV I looked at as a kid and went ‘I want that!’)

 

Bodyweight exercises. My body and I both prefer bodyweight exercises over lifting weights. I need to remember this, stick with this, and go back to HIIT workouts with a video so I actually HI of the IT. I love me some Darebee workouts, but I have a tendency to do them at *my* pace, which is not the pace I should actually be going at. 

 

I say I should switch back to videos, but Darebee has released a cool new semi-immersive semi-game thing - Age Of Pandora - which I've started and am totally digging. I can do these workouts, plus make upgrades to my Avatar on top of doing other things. Maybe if I choose shorter-length HasFit videos and combo them with AoP chapters. Not sure how this is going to look yet. 

 

 

What I Really Need To Be Doing

 

 

 

A goddamn pull-up. I know, I know, I was so gung-ho about getting a pull-up this summer … but then I chose not to work very hard for it. And I found other things I loved. And I have exercise ADHD. Plus, I’m not overly fond of doing hard things until they’re no longer that hard. I need to STFU and f-o-c-u-s. This needs to happen. If it takes keeping the pull-up bar out 24/7, it takes keeping the pull-up bar out. I need to do this, as my ruck schedule allows. 

 

Enough Said

 

 

Working On Specific Skills That Will Help In OCRs - like rope climbing, monkey bars, wall climbs, and bucket carries. 

• Monkey bars I can do and I can practice - I need to work on grip strength and other types of bar crossings (like skipping a bar, or jumping from bar to bar)
• Rope climbs are going to be tricky, since I don’t have access to a rope. What I do have access to is the Internet, with many suggestions on other things to do to ensure I at least build the right muscles (Onnit has a good video for this)
• It’s likely that I will always need help over walls, but I can practice hoisting myself up over lower walls so maybe I don’t need a boost for every single damn one. Parkour fundamentals would help here
• Bucket carries are the worst thing ever. But, I can buy a bucket, the garden in my building has rocks in it, and I could practice carrying them around the garden area. Don’t wanna
• Burpees. Everyone hates burpees, but I need to be able to do more in a row without absolutely killing my hip flexors

 

Ummmm. Yeah. 

 

Building Endurance. Also boo. This winter, I need to do some targeted speed building on the treadmill and work on inclines to tackle hills. Pouting. 

 

 

——

 

 

 

Goal 1: Continue Working Out 4-5 days a week + Bonus

 

Monday Ruck Day

Yoga 2x

Dedicated cardio or endurance work 1x

Wildcard 1x - maybe get that OCR game Eric reminded me of? Or, HasFit HIIT videos

 

In September, this is going to pan out as follows:

 

Mondays: Ruck Day (+AoP, +squat challenge)

Tuesdays: Yoga or bodyweight videos or cardio class (+AoP, +squat challenge)

Wednesdays: Yoga or bodyweight videos (+AoP, +squat challenge)

Thursdays: Yoga (+AoP, +squat challenge)

Fridays: AoP, squat challenge (+ try to do something else active one weekend day)

Saturdays: AoP, squat challenge (+ try to do something else active one weekend day)

Sundays: AoP, squat challenge (+ try to do something else active one weekend day)

 

 

Goal 2: Metrics

 

Metrics. Matrix. They both start with M. 

 

I haven’t really deviated from this metric plan in over a year, and don’t see any reason to start. For those of you that are new to me, my metrics are based on those outlined in the Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson. 

 

My metrics are as follows: 100 grams or under of carbs, 70 grams or over of protein, 100 grams or under of fat and around 1,500 calories. This plan seems to work for me, and if I stick to it, my weight stays where I want it and my body stays fueled without being sluggish. That said, I have recently begun carb loading for races and eat whatever my body is screaming at me it wants post races (generally a bigass steak and/or a face full of carbs). This seems to be working well, and I’ll be sticking with it. 

 

I also shoot for 64 ounces or so of water (2 refills of my water bottle + a coffee), and track my general activity and sleep with a Misfit Flash. I’m on My Fitness Pal and Fitbit. 

 

 

Goal 3: Biohacking

 

This would be awesome, but I'm starting on a much smaller scale. 

 

I’ve already started my sleep biohacking - started September 1st.

 

Gathered 1 week baseline readings: Check

Week 1: Introduced white noise - Check

Week 2: Introduced sleep mask - In Process

Week 3: Add nightly meditation to the mix

Week 4: Add melatonin 1 - 2 nights 

Week 5: Add daily magnesium supplements

Week 6: Add fats right before bed (collagen or raw honey + krill oil + brain octane)

 

 

Goal 4: The Minimalist Life

 

It stands to reason that waking up in Raccoon City for the umpteenth time means you don't have a lot of crap you're worried about hauling around. I'm doubting Alice has a storage container somewhere. 

 

I have my wardrobe pretty dialed down for the summer season; I may need to do a little cold weather whittling here, and I may add a few pieces meant to replace less durable items. What I really need to focus on here is stuff in the ‘other shit’ category. I need to actually address the other shit taking up room on my shelves and in my closets. I need to reduce something (a closet or a shelving unit) by at least 20% per week here). 

 

To accomplish this goal, I’m taking part in a 30 Day Minimalist Game. Starting September 14, I will be getting rid of +1 item per day (Day 1: 1 item, Day 2: 2 items, Day 30: 30 items) to see how far I can take it. I may supplement with bigger purges as my impulses drag me. Gotta strike while the iron is hot.

 

 

Goal 5: Arts & Crafts

 

When I did a search for badass women who craft, for some reason Ripley came up in the results. I’ll take it! 

 

• Finish the shawl and secret cross-stitch project I’m working on
• Start the baby blanket for my sister
• And … since last challenge we were talking about wanting badges for adulting or Ranger Tasks, I think I’ll flex my graphic design skills and make some. The goal is to complete 1 digital version a week based on my fellow Rangers’ goals and/or accomplishments. If this turns out well, these may assume corporeal form some time down the road. 

 

Mini Challenge Feats 

• Endurance Feat - 10k ruck with 20lbs in my pack if this week falls within September - if not, some other type of rucking - maybe a mileage total to hit for the week. Match Wolf for a little PvP action?
• Strength Feat - For this week, concentrate daily on pull-ups or upping the strength in my ankles/calves to increase my effectiveness in balance poses (depending on which side of my body has DOMs).
• Speed Feat - 10k for time if this week falls within September - if not, something else for time. Something for time. 
• Combat Feat - Go have a climbing or archery date with the hubbs.
• Healing Feat - Work on my little fascia daily this week - my jaw connectors and head connectors are always tense; work on loosening these babies.

[Morag]

gonna stalk, just because of that teaser pic!

[skinNbones]

20 challenges !  One more and you should get the keys to the house (or forum, or guild or something ...)

[darkfoxx]

I know, right? I can't believe I've stuck with something so consistently for so long - Just goes to show the power of challenge.

 

I know I've gotten immeasurable support from challenge and this group over the past couple years, and I plan on sticking around for many more. 

 

And continuing to recruit newbies when possible - I already tell pretty much anyone and everyone who will even quarter listen about NF (and have gotten a few people to the boards for a challenge or two), and that's not gonna stop.  

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following. Keep recruiting.

[DarK_RaideR]

DF is the guild's unofficial real-life Ambassador

[Wild Wolf]

I'm here for the guns and the rucking cuz I know there will be that.. And cross stitching madness! Yep, here for all the things

Wolf

"Let the Boomstick do the talking."

[Terra]

Guns and cats...  interesting mix!  Can't wait to see what you mean by this because I'm sure it isn't quite what comes to mind when I read this thread title....  

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

1st image on Google when searching guns and cats:

[darkfoxx]

@Tanktimus: That's awesome! 

 

The cat reference is actually a Battlestar quote, which is in itself a kind of meta-reference to Darkfoxx Actual (Battlestar being the first thing I think of when anyone says something is 'actual'). Because that's how my brain works. 

 

The longer quote:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or, to put it more succinctly: 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV-9zqvbedA

[Terra]

1st image on Google when searching guns and cats:

This is along the lines of what I was thinking but make the kitty a tiger shifter...  

 

 

The cat reference is actually a Battlestar quote, which is in itself a kind of meta-reference to Darkfoxx Actual (Battlestar being the first thing I think of when anyone says something is 'actual'). Because that's how my brain works. 

 

Or, to put it more succinctly: 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV-9zqvbedA

Oooh one of those series I want to watch but never get around to watching...  <wanders off to see if this is on amazon prime>

[darkfoxx]

T-Minus 6 Days Till Challenge

 

I skipped out on BollyX tonight because I have climbing T-Rex arms and having to hold my elbows up throughout an entire song sounded dreadful. Also, I was falling asleep on the couch at 5:30. 

 

I also skipped half my Age of Pandora workout because I forgot about it until late. Did the half jacks, though. 

 

I continued on with my foot rolling.

 

The squat challenge i mentioned last time looks like it may not be happening - I signed up and it was supposed to start Monday, but I haven't gotten any emails with challenge directives. Boo. 

 

Food was good for the day: the usual green smoothie & coffee for breakfast, leftover pork/cabbage for lunch, a quick ground pork stir-fry for dinner, and non-dairy ice cream after. 

 

Metrics were on target. 

 

Sleep was so-so. I was exhausted from getting crap sleep the night before - my first night with the sleep mask. This sleep mask business may not be working for me. I have a tendency to occasionally sleep with my eyes slightly open -- they're rolled in the back of my head, just open a bit (it freaks the DH out). Because of this, I occasionally wake up in crazy pain crying because I get the errant dog hair in my eye. Apparently also sometimes when wearing an eye mask I wake up because it has touched my eyeball and scratched it a bit. Eew. 

 

Finally got to work on my super secret cross-stitch project again; no knitting to be had. 

[darkfoxx]

Goals & Blah-Blah Updated. 

[darkfoxx]

Feats have been updated in main post as well. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I liked the goals and the blah-blah.

[Terra]

Love you badass elf and your goals for this round.  It makes me tired just reading them all!!!

[QuietRiotGrrrl]

Crafters unite!  I love that you have a craft related goal.  

 

Also, the squat challenge - his emails went to what google has decided to call my promotions tab.  But I'm in that same challenge, so you should have received something.  Basically, its just to squat in that position for 30 minutes a day every day.  Not necessarily all at once, but adding up to 30 minutes.  At least that's what I got out of the email.  But I only received that one so far.

[Melissa Louise]

Kudos to you for taking on so many things in this challenge!

 

 

 

Actual book I came across one day. Safety first! 

[darkfoxx]

@QRG: Aah. I think I've seen at least the content of the email online somewhere this morning while looking high and low for info on the challenge. 

 

So, 30 minutes it is - I don't know if I'll be hitting 30 minutes out of the gate, but I'll definitely be using that framework to move into a good squat form (my heels have trouble hitting the floor). 

[darkfoxx]

@Melissa: YAS!

[ShadowLion]

Cats, guns and badass women. I'm following!

[Wild Wolf]

Just got caught up on all the swankiness since you posted your goals! Wicked. Absolutely wicked! You're challenge is well thought and and I think you'll do even BETTER this go round. You've created good habits, your training your fascia (good, young Foxxy, goooooooood) and your thread title is in fact spelled correctly. OMG, I laughed at that. And we have a similar ruck goal, so lets go Ruck stuff up, Foxxy!

 

Wolf

[darkfoxx]

T-Minus 5 Days Till Challenge

 

I did my yoga workout - Fire A - and was kitten weak throughout. I'm still dealing with T-Rex arms, and my legs aren't that much better. 

 

I finished the rest of yesterday's Age of Pandora workout - on level I because I couldn't fathom doing more pushups. I completely sucked at the 18 I did do. 

 

I didn't even attempt the Avatar Upgrade.

 

I continued on with my foot rolling.

 

I found the info for the squat challenge, but did nothing since it's not as exciting as I'd hoped it would be - it's basically squat 30 minutes a day, not do variations on that theme or work up to 30 minutes. I'll put off doing anything here until next week. 

 

Food was good for the day: the usual green smoothie & coffee for breakfast, leftover ground pork stir-fry for dinner, a snack of raw almonds, braised chicken leg quarter with sweet potato/corn/celery hash-ish for dinner, and more non-dairy ice cream for a nighttime snack

 

Metrics were on target. 

 

Sleep was okay. I managed to keep my mask on for most of the night. Woke up at one point to yank it off my head - the reasoning seemed sound at the time, but I don't remember what it was. Was woken up too early by a friend messaging me at 7:00 for some damn reason. 

 

Cross-stitched. Knitted. 

 

Also got a little news-isn about my potential life implosion: the DH talked to the contact he has overseas, and it looks like that life trajectory is not out of the question. There are no positions open right now (we won't be ready to move until February anyways), but the DH is at the top of the list if something becomes available - and they didn't say I couldn't come. I can, it will just take paperwork; and it seems like they'd be willing to undertake the paperwork to gain him as an employee. So: blowing up our lives to move overseas, with the potential for more travel and getting us closer to our ideal life is for real on the table. 

 

It was said that we should carry on like normal, though, because it could be up to a year for the wheels to get rolling and everything to fall into place. 

 

I still don't know what this means for the 2016 race season. Or our upcoming vow renewal this spring. Or what we're going to do about renewing our lease or finding a new place this winter. 

 

I do know that I don't really want to spend a bajillion dollars on that yoga intensive I was wanting to go on, though - I can't see spending $850 on 50 hours of training that won't result in a certificate I can use to parlay into employment some time down the road (not that I think I'm in any way qualified to be a yoga instructor, or really have the desire to be one in the first place - I was more interested in gaining the tools to help build my own practice). And that was briefly back on the table, since the instructor changed the dates (and took the time to shoot me an email personally) and now I have zero race conflicts. 

 

And, I got those Japants I was talking about last thread from Betabrand - and they're totally not working for me. They're cut weird in the front (too much room - more like a men's cut), and the pocket flares hit my hips at the exact widest part, which makes the pocket open and everything look larger. And I don't know how I feel about this whole waxed denim movement. It's weird. I feel like I'm wearing the tablecloth from a cheesy Italian restaurant. So, they're going back.

[rowan]

WHOOOAH ok so I just got caught up on everything.  MAH BRAAIINNnn...

 

 

First of all, your extensive and ambitious goals and hacks and projects and endeavors - WOW!  You do so much cool stuff!  I ALSO MUST DO MORE COOL STUFF BRB....

 

Second thing - sleeping with your eyes open is both creepy and awesome.  I once tried to train myself to do that, and it did not end well.  

 

Another thing!  Holy crap moving to another place?  Where potentially would you be headed?  Good thing you're doing all this decluttering and paring down, so you'll be ready when the time comes!

 

But also I'm glad you're not leaving right away because I am very excited for bouldering on Saturday and also further adventures!  

 

Subbed in awe and admiration!

[darkfoxx]

Lols. 

 

I mastered sleeping with my eyes open as a kid. My dad's rule was always if I fall asleep, I have to go to bed - so I learned to sleep with my eyes open, so he'd have less of a chance of telling that I was actually asleep, and I could stay up late to watch horror movies. Used to freak him right out when he'd catch me doing it, too. Granted, I kiiiiind of looked like one of the Children of the Corn (and almost exactly like the kid from Poltergeist), so there's that. 

 

--

 

The potential move spot is Qatar, aka halfway around the globe - in a country I'm not familiar with, in a culture I'm not familiar with - that's 7 hours time difference from EST. According to the preliminary research I've done, it looks like rucking is probably out (I'll check, but I'm guessing wandering around the middle east with a fully-loaded backpack is a no-no) - but they have tons of bootcamp and yoga classes; everywhere pretty much has a gym; BJJ is a big deal over there; diving is a thing, too - and I saw 1 thing about an obstacle course, so maybe OCRs won't be a permanent no. I'm fairly certain climbing can happen there, too - since you can't really go outside without immolating in the summers. 

 

Leaving is most assuredly not a sure thing - we've just put feelers out so far, but since it may become a reality, pre-prepping and nailing down research is certainly not out of the order. Underpants gathering ftw!

 

--

 

Yay, Saturday climb! My damn arms are *still* T-Rexed from Monday's climb, but I'm totally still going - even if they fall off, or there are like 2 people there. 

 

As it stands with the confirmed-ish number, maybe check out Travelzoo or Groupon for a day pass -- I think, actually, that the one I used Monday from Travelzoo ended up being cheaper than what the chick was offering a group of 9 anyways - and we purchased ours right before we left for BB. 

 

The DH and I just bought a 10-pack pass, so I'll be using that to climb and will be renting shoes. I might also buy a chalk bag if I haven't made the run to REI to buy one on Friday -- and I would suggest bringing a water bottle. And socks. And maybe something to change into. If Saturday holds true to form, I'll be s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g after climbing and will be heading to the nearest source of protein.