Theophilus Makes No Resolutions

[theophilus]

Resolutions suck. They're too focused on the victorious end state and not nearly focused enough on the sacrifices and suffering that goes into getting there. I read this fantastic article about that very thing today. It really gets to the heart of what NF is about, building patterns and habits that require dedication and sacrifice. After burning out on a couple recent challenges, I'm really taking that to heart.

Quest 1: Sustained running habit. This looks like finishing half marathon training, running the half (Jan 17), and running 3-4x per week during the recovery weeks for the rest of the challenge. The bottom usually falls out after races for me, so I just want running to become a habit, not something I only do for big races.

Quest 2: Just eat food. We cook healthy at home almost every night. But I go wild at work- lunch out, snacks, soda, you name it. It's jacked up. For this challenge, I allow myself two workday food purchases TOTAL. I will pack my lunch at night before I go to bed, so I'm not choosing between personal hygiene and good food on mornings I wake up late. These bad habits are killing the wallet and waistline now.

Quest 3: No booze. I tried this last challenge and failed, but for the short time I succeeded I felt great. It's a GI/sleep/heart thing for me. It all gets thrown off when I drink even a little with any regularity. I'd like to eventually be the weird guy who orders iced tea.

Side Quest: LSAT prep. This is the biggie for me. I'm five years into a decent career, but don't really see myself here long term. For a number of reasons, law school has become a viable and attractive option IF I can do well enough on the LSAT. I'm planning on taking in June, so I need to start studying. By the midpoint of this challenge, I will have a schedule and the resources purchased. I'll have two weeks of actual studying under my belt by the end of the challenge.

Here we go! Happy New Year, all!

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[Starstuff]

Following along, since I've got a half on the 17th, too, and I so sympathize with the bottom following out after races. I already know one of my quests next challenge will be running consistency.

[Princess Pineapple]

I'm already that weirdo that orders soft drinks in the pub. Iced tea though? That is such an American weird thing! Haha.

Good luck!

[Strickland5]

Seems like a bunch of us are hitting the no booze bus.

[Bee]

Awesome challenge!  I, too, am working on not falling into the shiny trap of "resolutions," and instead working to build habits.  Have you read The Power of Habit?  It gave me some really good ideas.  Good luck!

[chocolaterunner]

Feeling this 100%. Good luck!

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[theophilus]

Following along, since I've got a half on the 17th, too, and I so sympathize with the bottom following out after races. I already know one of my quests next challenge will be running consistency.

Fantastic! Good to know I'll be in good NF company on the 17th.

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[theophilus]

I'm already that weirdo that orders soft drinks in the pub. Iced tea though? That is such an American weird thing! Haha.

Good luck!

Haha. Thanks! Honestly, if it's not beer it'll be water for me. Unsweetened iced tea is nice from time to time though. Cuts the calories too.

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[theophilus]

Awesome challenge! I, too, am working on not falling into the shiny trap of "resolutions," and instead working to build habits. Have you read The Power of Habit? It gave me some really good ideas. Good luck!

I have not. Looks great though. I'll have to put it on my list.

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[Terinatum]

Come sit next to me, Theophilus! Water all around. I am right along side you with the consistency of habit building: PT exercises, better food/better budget, and water! I plan on listing all my activities in a positive spin way, instead of ticking off ?/26 days. It's not about the times I miss, I was already doing that. This is now about noticing when I do it, high five'ing, and looking to see where I can do it again.

 

Have a great challenge and keep up the good spirits! Well, not those spirits of course! haha

[theophilus]

Day Zero

Today was supposed to be a long run, but thanks to a bit too much holiday season fun and unseasonably cold temps, I'm under the weather. Took it easy today and hoping to crank out 13 miles in the morning before work (Lord help me). Packed my lunch tonight for tomorrow: sriracha tuna salad, kale, carrots, clementines, and a Babybel cheese. No booze today.

Here we go.

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[h3r0]

Sriracha tuna salad! I'm intrigued, care to share the recipe?

[theophilus]

Sriracha tuna salad! I'm intrigued, care to share the recipe?

Just something I threw together ad hoc, honestly. A can of tuna, a little mayo (I kept it pretty dry to be healthier), and sriracha, salt, and pepper to taste. If you wanted to be healthier/paleo, sub avocado for mayo (we were out of 'cados).

It was half decent. Definitely has potential, and should a solid recipe emerge after some tweaking, I'll definitely share here and in the Tavern Kitchen.

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[theophilus]

Day 1 Recap

 

- This cold is kicking my butt, still no run

- I used one of my two workday food purchases for the challenge to get some chicken soup at work today. Was bummed to have used it on my first day, but it was a healthy choice, so I'm calling that a win. One left for four weeks. I'll have to be even more disciplined now

-  Booze-fee

- Searched a lot online today to figure out a good way to approach the LSAT. I think I have a decent idea of the books to get now.

[Bee]

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well.  Sounds like something has hit hard, I have a lot of friends sick right now.  I think taking it easy is the best idea!  

[Chelkie]

I too feel you on the bottom falling out on running after a race. It's definitely harder to find motivation when you don't have that deadline looming over you, where you've put money and time on the line and you can't miss it. I think i'm going to try to counteract it this year by signing up for a race at least every two monthsish have one march, may, june, august and october, if all things go as planned. Either its going to burn me out or is going to be awesome. I'll let you know. 

[theophilus]

I think i'm going to try to counteract it this year by signing up for a race at least every two monthsish have one march, may, june, august and october, if all things go as planned. Either its going to burn me out or is going to be awesome. I'll let you know. 

 

That sounds like a great idea. I'm going to have to look to see what's on the books for later in the spring in my area!

[theophilus]

Days 2 and 3 Recap

 

This one is off to a rough start, not because of my performace, but because I got slammed with a nasty cold/cough that kept me in bed all day yesterday. It's still hanging around, but I'm feeling a bit better today. Hope to get out on the road again tomorrow. Quests 2 and 3 are going well, though, mostly because I haven't had much of an appetite. Haha, I'll take what I can get.

[Terinatum]

Good soup decision the other day. I hope this flu gets the heck out of dodge so you can kick some booty!

[theophilus]

Thanks Terinatum!

Made another good soup call tonight. Made this guy: http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/chickpea-tomato-and-bread-soup-shop

It's not quick, and not not quite easy, but it is so friggin delicious. The flavors are amazingly complex.

[Starstuff]

Ah, another victim of the dreaded NF Challenge Cold. I hope you're feeling better today!

[theophilus]

Days 4-8 Recap

This challenge has had a hard time getting off the ground thanks to this daggum cold. I live in the desert ferheavensake. We're not supposed to get colds. It's not even cold enough to get cold. Alas, for over a week now, I've sounded like I'm just this side of death, hacking up enough lungs to breathe for a small village. I think (goodness I hope) I'm in the final stages. I really need to be, because I have a half marathon on Sunday and have yet to log a single mile this side of the new year. If it's a good night tonight, I'm going for 3 miles tomorrow morning.

Other challenges are going well. I've not bought more lunches at work, I'm still booze free, and I've got calls on the calendar with friends currently in law school to get their tips on LSAT prep.

[Starstuff]

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I had a similar situation with my last half marathon. At this point, you're probably better off focusing on getting well rather than trying to get runs in, anyway. The last thing you want is to push too hard and make yourself sicker before Sunday. I hope you feel better soon!

[theophilus]

Days 9-10 Update

 

I finally got some miles in yesterday. It was just two miles, but I kept a decent pace (sub-9-minute, which is pretty quick for me) and felt pretty good throughout. I coughed for a good 10 minutes after I finished, but it felt really good to get out there after a hiatus of almost two weeks. Resting today, and then 4 miles tomorrow, maybe 2 again on Saturday.

 

As for the race, it's going to be a game day decision. I really hope to be well enough, but if I'm not feeling up for it, I don't want to struggle through, only to be swept up at the four hour mark. I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic at this point.

 

The rest of the challenge is going well. Still booze-free (Woo!), still not buying lunch at work (Woo!).

 

On the side quest, I had hugely encouraging conversations with a couple of friends currently in law school. They helped me wrap my head around some of the LSAT prep I have before me. They also affirmed a lot of what I've been thinking about my interest in law school and a career in law.

[18ck]

Glad to hear it's going well, other than the cough obviously. I'm interested that you're training all 3 days leading up to a race even with a chesty thing, and considering whether to drop out of the race itself. Would it not make more sense to treat it as a taper, rest the chest and have a better chance of being well on the day? Just a thought - you know yourself better than I do, obvs, so do watcha gotta do.