Here be SaltyDragon's

[SaltyDragon]

Greetings and ahoy. I am SaltyDragon and I live in the Pacific Ocean. I know, I am late to this party, but I have only just learned of you all, and I feel I must interrupt. So why am I here? Well, an extreme lack of stability in my ocean environment makes motivation a challenge.

 

The winter months are more normal. I work regular hours, and get to take time off. But the rest of year is spent on the move, far from anywhere hospitable, working hard 12 hours a day, seven days a week. The sunsets are spectacular, and personal time is non-existant. Aye, it is a special way to live.

 

Yet, despite my seafaring lifestyle, I'm really just an average JoeDragon...I just want to be happy. And happiness comes from the achieving of goals.

 

So I embark upon the following...

 

The first:

Run 60 miles

Whenever I'm back on solid ground, I like to run far upon it. 60 miles should be very easy for me, but I want to start small and work up later. The weather is unpredictable, and I will be travelling in December, so I've set this goal to be achievable even when things don't all go my way. If I can get in more miles, I will.

 

A=60+, B=55-59, C=50-54, D=45-49, F=0-44

 

The second:

Perform 600 sit-ups

Sea-going dragons need be strong to fend off sharks and zombie mermaids, and the many other sea beasties that be encountered. 600 sit-ups in six weeks (oops, make that five weeks) will toughen me mettle, for certain.

 

A=600+, B=550-599, C=500-549, D=450-499, F=0-449

 

The third: {added 12 Nov 2015}

One pool session per week

Dragons do not fear the water, and lap swimming makes me faster – better for chasing down tasty moon jellies, or escaping the viscious giant cuttlefish.

 

A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0-1

 

The fourth:

Sing a little more

A little more better, that is. A dragon has a sensitive side, you know, and the need to serenade a siren now and then. I'm eager, young and starry-eyed.

 

No grading, just for fun.

 

These be easy, yes, but that's to hopefully be sure I complete the challenge. Then I'll be in a better place to come back and start the next – on time, even!

 

Oh, I've noticed that others offer themselves rewards as they reach their goals. I like this idea, but for now I have nothing in mind. I'll save that for a later challenge. For now, pure satisfaction shall be my one true reward.

 

[Koaladle]

NO APOLOGIES! We're happy you're here, especially right after finding us. Due to my expansive knowledge of sea dragons, I've been able to surmise much about you, I do believe. :-) I'm rather proud of myself.

 

Best of luck in your quests! They seem attainable, and very useful to you.

[SaltyDragon]

NO APOLOGIES! We're happy you're here, especially right after finding us. Due to my expansive knowledge of sea dragons, I've been able to surmise much about you, I do believe. :-) I'm rather proud of myself.

 

Best of luck in your quests! They seem attainable, and very useful to you.

Oh, but I am filled with the many mysteries of the deep!

 

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. Your output is most impressive...alas, I have only managed to take in the short version of your adventures. But your successes and enthusiasm astounds me. You should, indeed, be proud!

[Koaladle]

I'm a housekoala, and my seafaring days on  the SS Koalaty are over, leaving me more than ample time to spew encouragement and storytelling across the forums. I am glad, however, that you took a look at my adventures! I've had a lot of fun writing about them, and your feedback is always welcome.

 

How did today go? Pray, do tell!

[SaltyDragon]

25 sit-ups today and 5.77 miles logged. That includes two times up Tsunami Hill at the start of the run – I was unimpressed the first time, so I turned around and did it again!

 

I think that I like hills, which is not so surprising because my paternal grandfather was a billy goat (how does that happen?)

 

Anyway, even though I got some funny looks from some surfers, it felt really good. Off to a good start, I think!

[Koaladle]

25 sit-ups today and 5.77 miles logged. That includes two times up Tsunami Hill at the start of the run – I was unimpressed the first time, so I turned around and did it again!

 

I LIKE IT. I LIKE IT LOT.

 

That might be the thing I use to get it together today. We shall see. :-)

[h3r0]

Your a beast salty, keep it up!

[SaltyDragon]

25 sit-ups this morning, but that's been it for today.

 

It was, however, my intention to do a workout at the pool. But, silly dragon, I misplaced my swim shorts! (I can sense 'organization' will be a future goal). After searching my tiny quarters for almost an hour, I gave up and left for dinner.

 

After which time I found them in the car.

 

It was more frustrating than I make it sound, I promise.

 

So to make up for the slip, I am going to be bold and add a goal to my challenge: One Pool Session Per Week!

 

Now, you might be wondering where the challenge is in that for me, the seafaring creature that I am. Well, the waters are best avoided over most of my native habitat – far too chilly for me warm-blooded ways. Pools can be heated. Warmth pleases me.

 

So the pool is rescheduled for tomorrow.

 

Now I'm gonna do some more sit-ups and go to bed.

[Koaladle]

An acceptable substitute, methinks.

[SaltyDragon]

Today, 25 sit-ups and, yes yes, 500 yds in the pool. Maybe more, I kinda lost count so I did an extra two safety laps. 'Twas entirely more tiring than I was expecting, but I hadn't done any pool work since May, so I guess that explains it.

 

Good progress, me thinks, for the week – but I need to get some more mileage in this weekend, and big rain storms a'coming. No treadmills in sight, so I may have to just suffer through it.

 

I mean, once you're wet, what else can happen? You get wetter?? A wet dragon does not fear rain!

 

Oh, as promised, added 25 sit-ups for a total of 50 yesterday. Grr.

[Koaladle]

Pneumonia can happen, so be careful. O.o 

[SaltyDragon]

Hey nerds, hope ye had a great weekend. I mostly took it easy, but made some progress toward me goals.

 

The weather was wet and the winds were strong, but 'tis the way of life on this coast, so you best not let that scuttle yer plans. I rose early this morning and made for the south jetty, where I logged 4.3 miles running on both the trail and the beach. The rain held off mostly, picking up only for one of the beach legs, which got pretty miserable for a few minutes – more from the headwind than the soaking, though. It was otherwise an enjoyable endeavor. The beach was firm and fast, and the trail was cool and comfortable out of the wind.

 

Totals so far:

Running

10.08 mi of 60 completed - I need to pick up the pace on this one.

 

Sit-ups

150 of 600 - on track.

 

Swimming

1 of 4 - also on track.

 

Something I'm learning – early is better. Make time to work on goals, or whatever important stuff, as early as possible in the day. Anything can happen, and something usually does not go as planned. Best to get things out of the way before that happens. And, don't go to a small town's only swimming pool on a Friday night...

[Koaladle]

I learned the same lesson three times over the last couple of days, but with water consumption. Tomorrow, I want to get my challenges done before 1400!

[SaltyDragon]

I learned the same lesson three times over the last couple of days, but with water consumption. Tomorrow, I want to get my challenges done before 1400!

 

Ooo, thanks for the reminder! Drinking more water now. Most of my liquid consumption today has come in the form of coffee. But that's just because classroom trainings are boooring.

 

Well, that and coffee is delicious!

 

[SaltyDragon]

Cold. Windy. Rainy. Miserable. Yep, that was today.

 

As good a day as any for running intervals, I guess. And that's all I had planned, anyway. So add another 2.14 miles to the totals and I'm only at 20% of my goal. The weather had better improve or I'll have to make it up late in the challenge. That could be hard as I will be travelling when this thing ends.

[Koaladle]

Your mode of transportation has a gym, yes? I hope?

[SaltyDragon]

Your mode of transportation has a gym, yes? I hope?

 

My "mode of transportation" (i.e. also my home) has very crappy equipment :-( ...but the word is that will improve shortly. I hear we'll even get a treadmill this year... I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[Koaladle]

Argh, if we're getting specific it's a town that moves. Worst case, you could always take a jog out in the salty sunshine; as opposed to the treadmill.

 

[Polgara19]

I love the style you've written your challenge in!  So much fun!  

 

Well done for getting out and running intervals in the crappy weather!

[Girl-Meet-World]

(Oh Merlin I can't stop laughing. This is amazing!!!)

But how on Earth do you manage to get out to run in the rain? You sea dragons are a much hardier lot than us Hobbits, I do believe. It is hard for me to move out of my warm armchair once I have settled into place, even though I must go on an adventure once a while.

[SaltyDragon]

Greetings, me nerdies! I return with tales of fortune and woe!

 

Or, at least an update on my goals...

 

I woke this morning to find the sun was shining, the birds were croaking and the winds were but a whisper! Even, not a drop of rain would fall from the sky all day...until 4:00 when I got off from work.

 

Alas, I was already geared up and full-on ready to embark on my favoritest part of the day, and at least the rain was far lighter than it has been the previous days, and I needed to tack on some mileage lest I start feelin' a lolligagger. So off I went – and had a good time of it to boot.

 

So I am pleased to add another 6.11 miles to my running total.

 

And yesterday, I completed two sets of 25 sit-ups for another 50.

 

But wait...

 

That's not all...

 

I became concerned yesterday. You see, when your living space is scarcely big enough to swing a cat...

...things can get kinda cluttered. OK, really cluttered!

 

I hate to admit it, but in the space of a few days, my desk had turned into this...

!!!!!

 

So I screwed up me courage to the go-all-beasty place and went at it with a gusto not seen too often 'round these parts. Once finished, it does please me to report a most terrific transformation for now the desk looks like this...

 

Ah, so much better. I think I be deserving a belt of grog after that one, but I'll have to settle for the simple satisfaction of a daunting task completed. Which is still nice!

[SaltyDragon]

I love the style you've written your challenge in!  So much fun!  

 

Well done for getting out and running intervals in the crappy weather!

 

Thanks for stopping by. Your encouragement is most appreciated!

[SaltyDragon]

(Oh Merlin I can't stop laughing. This is amazing!!!)

But how on Earth do you manage to get out to run in the rain? You sea dragons are a much hardier lot than us Hobbits, I do believe. It is hard for me to move out of my warm armchair once I have settled into place, even though I must go on an adventure once a while.

 

Glad ye finds it amusing! I highly recommend that everyone go outside and play in the rain now and then, just like we did when we were kids, and everything was awesomer!

[Koaladle]

CLEAR HORIZONTALS... YAAAAAASSSSSSSS... As a professional housewife, I find great joy in empty, flat, clean spaces. My world is in order when you can white-glove the TV stand.

[Anthyitis]

Congrats on getting your desk clean!  You've inspired me!