Theophilus and the Sword of Destiny

[theophilus]

For this 6WC, I will be performing a multi-stage trick with hidden identities. The fully developed and fully themed post will follow, but I'm checking in with the basics.

Quest 1: increase mileage for half marathon

Quest 2: no booze

Quest 3: log everything I eat

Side Quest: reduce social media time

[theophilus]

Did somebody say... WONDER?!

 

 

For this next challenge, I will be performing a multi-stage trick with hidden identities. The trick sword please!

 

 

I got off to a strong start running this summer, but have felt lately like my development as a runner has been a bit... arrested.

 

 

Challenge 1: "This proved to be a slightly more difficult gesture than he had anticipated."

 

 

It's time to up my mileage. I've got a nice base going, but with less than 12 weeks until the half marathon, I have to kick it into high gear. I have a training plan and will follow that through the duration of this challenge. 16 miles this week, up to 29 miles by week six, for a total of 134 miles this challenge.

 

Challenge 2: "However, she mistook the 'drowsy eye' alcohol warning for a 'winking eye' alcohol suggestion."

 

 

I don't drink all that much. No really, I don't. Like maybe 5 drinks per week, max. Except for the holidays. And vacations. But lately, every time I drink, even a beer or two, I feel like absolute crap. I sleep like garbage, my heart gets funky (long story there), and my stomach becomes a wreck. So, I'm going to cut it out for six weeks and see how I do. The saved calories won't hurt either. I will make an exception for Thanksgiving, but I'll limit myself to red wine. That's healthy, right?!?!

 

Challenge 3: "That's why you always leave a note."

 

 

 

I fell like my quest for a healthier me continues to be stymied by my eating habits. My meals at home are good. But I eat out too much during the workday, and I snack like a fiend, at home and at work, and most of the time I'm unaware of what I'm eating. For the next six weeks, I will log every friggin' morsel that enters my body. I have a feeling this will be enlightening.

 

 

Side Challenge: "I'm Oscar... dot com"

 

 

I spend all day in front of a screen at work. Then, at home, I spend a good amount of time in front of a screen between my phone, laptop, and TV. I'm not watching any shows religiously at the moment, so I have a good chance to get my screen time under control. I'm going to shoot for no more than 30 minutes of screen time outside of work on weekdays, and no more than 1 hour on weekends.

 

On the next Arrested Development...

[theophilus]

Days 1-3

Quest 1: I've been getting my runs in, with my first real challenge yesterday. It was my first 5-miler in about 7 years. It was on the slower side (~51 min), but I felt great the whole time.

Quest 2: No drinks yet. We have a lone Stella Artois in the fridge that is calling my name. I'm going to have to get the wife to take care of that for me.

Quest 3: Logging all my food so far, and it's pretty shocking. A couple of fast food meals and some less than ideal snacks. Going to make sure I leave the house well-equipped tomorrow.

Side Quest: since this one didn't fully develop until today, Monday and Tuesday were a bust. But I skipped out on TV tonight, and am just now hitting my limit. So, with that, I'm off!

[Princess Pineapple]

Side Quest: since this one didn't fully develop until today, Monday and Tuesday were a bust. But I skipped out on TV tonight, and am just now hitting my limit. So, with that, I'm off!

I'm fairly certain that updating your thread does not count.

[theophilus]

I'm fairly certain that updating your thread does not count.

Haha, thanks! I'm a bit legalistic, so there's that...

[theophilus]

Day 4

1: Overslept and didn't run this morning, but I have two runs left this week and 3 days to do them, so I should be fine there.

2: Still booze-free.

3: Logged it all. Disappointing choices, but now I'm seeing how they all add up.

Side: Golden

[trawlerman]

When/where is your HM, theophilus?

[theophilus]

When/where is your HM, theophilus?

Jan 17th in Phoenix. It's the rock'n'roll stop here in Phoenix. I've done it twice before, and it's a super fun run. Pretty flat course, which is always a plus!

[theophilus]

Week 1 wrap-up

1: I missed a 3-mile run this week. I'll add it in next week. However, I did get out this morning and log 5 miles. I was really happy with the time, as two of the miles were sub-9 and I kept a 9:14 overall. I felt like death afterward.

2: No booze yet. I have a birthday party this afternoon, so that may prove a preemptive declaration of success.

3: Logging food consistently, still not impressed with results. I had a conversation with my sister, telling her what I was doing. She mentioned that it will be interesting to compare what I ate with how my runs went. I honestly hadn't thought about that. Now, it's all I'm thinking about. SO yesterday was my first consistently healthy eating day yesterday and I had that amazing run this morning. Coincidence? Methinks no.

Side: doing good here too, save for a "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" binge. That show is too good.

[theophilus]

Yep, had a beer tonight. Blast this weak will of mine.

[theophilus]

 

Is my mistake:

( a ) running with a stomach full of nothing but frozen iced coffee?

( b ) drinking a beer with tacos Friday night?

( c ) quickly devouring three fun sized candy bars when I got into work this morning?

( d ) total disregard for screentime limits?

( e ) all of the above?

 

If you guessed (e), you're right!

 

I was about to toss the towel in on this challenge, happy to get my miles in and move on. But NO! Here's the Week 2 Wrapup.

 

Quest 1: I got all my runs in. (Thank God.) This includes a six-miler yesterday. I logged 17 miles for the week, which is right on track.  I'm feeling pretty good about my distances, but would love to see some speed gains in the next few weeks.

 

Quest 2: Here's where things get dicey. After my slip last weekend, I was determined to keep strong. We went out for dinner on Friday night, and my wife ordered a beer. It's a free country, right?! I started talking about ordering a beer, and she gave me loads of grief for my weak will. So, I stood strong. THEN, she drank half her beer and passed the rest my way. CAN YOU BELIEVE THE CRUELTY?! I know she was making amends, so I more than happily obliged. It was Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter, which I know you non-Arizona people may not appreciate, but it's damn-near nectar of the gods status. Then, last night we were at my folks for dinner with some out of town relatives. I, again, partook of a nice chardonnay. That's the kind of occasion I don't mind making an exception for, but it felt crappy on the heels of Friday. Renewing my vigor for ther rest of the challenge.

 

Quest 3: I let this slide for a couple days. But I did remember what I ate and went back to log it today, so we're back on track.

 

Side Quest: Totally gone. Picking it back up today, and have a book at the ready for this evening to fight the temptation of mindless scrolling.

[Chelkie]

I feel you on the poor second week of the challenge, but we can't let it get us down! Never surrender! >.> On a side note, beer is delicious, your challenge sounds like torture. 

[Outback]

Sounds like you're winning to me.

 

persistence beats perfection

 

At the end of this week you'll be half way through the challenge, stay focussed and you'll be able to smash the second half.

 

 

[theophilus]

11/16/15

 

I rested today after the long run on Sunday, but handled the other goals well.

 

11/17/15

 

This was an unintentional rest day as I slept right through my alarm. Again, solid on the other goals.

 

11/18/15

 

1: Got out this morning for 3 miles. I'm REALLY trying to break the 9 min pace mark for a whole run, and I was so close this morning. Did 9:07, 9:14, then cranked out 8:46 for the last mile. I still had gas in the tank at the end, so I have high hopes for later this week, and 3 more short runs to hit it before my long run Sunday.

 

2: Check

 

3: Check

 

Side: Check

[Outback]

Hey,

 

How's the HM training going?

[theophilus]

As you all may have gathered, I 150% dropped the ball on this challenge. Everything but the half marathon training went completely off the rails right after that last post. Life just "happened." But I have done a fairly good job keeping up with the running. I'm out 3-5 times a week at this point. Short runs are 4-5 miles. I sometimes get a mid-distance 7-9 miler in. And then a long run on Sundays. My longest yet is 10, slated for 12 this week. Less than 4 weeks to race day! I'll be back on board for the next challenge. I owe you all that much at least.