Salty Lives the Life Aquatic

[SaltyDragon]

Join me as we hunt the elusive Jaguar shark!

 

I'm going to be at sea for all but three days of this challenge so I thought I'd have some fun riffing on a theme, and perhaps work in a little insight into my world.

My quests will build on last month's discoveries, and continue to follow a 10k training plan as best as I am able.
 

 

Run
Stick to the training plan, which will almost all have to be on the treadmill (boo!), sea conditions permitting. The plan consists of about 80 miles in workouts during this time, but it is still winter in Alaska – I've got to play this one conservative. I'll set the goal at 40 miles, and really really hope for better. To help out, I'm gonna get a headstart with a long run this weekend, and as much as I can on land before we depart on the 23 day adventure cruise on Wednesday.

Push, Pull, Sit
720 Push-ups
1200 Crunches
20 Pull-ups
Just a slight bump to last month's numbers for this one – stick with what's working.

Stretch
Going to make this one more yoga-centric this time. 2 points for 30 min of yoga practice, 1 point for shorter or stretching only. 24 points total.

Weights
2 points for 20 min of weight training, 1 point for a good-try effort. I may look at some new routines, or just stick with what I've been doing and keep increasing the weight. 16 points total.

 

Side quest
Track down the deadly Jaguar shark, stay ahead of my arch nemesis, and try not to run out of dynamite fending off pirates in unprotected waters.

Now, let's have some teamsmanship!
 

[Morag]

This sounds like a fun quest. I'll stalk you for a little while, if you don't mind.

[Jormungand]

I love the theme for this challenge. I'll be following, and I'm already looking forward to see how you adapt to your conditions. 

[18ck]

Ooh, second challenge I've looked at this time and you've both got kick-ass themes. I feel quite inadequate now. Also, I haven't seen this film for a while and you've reminded me I really need to address that problem.

Good luck in the challenge. It looks like you've thought it through. Oh and give that shark hell!

[SaltyDragon]

This sounds like a fun quest. I'll stalk you for a little while, if you don't mind.

 

Awesome!

 

I love the theme for this challenge. I'll be following, and I'm already looking forward to see how you adapt to your conditions. 

 

Thanks, I'm excited to see how it goes too!

 

Ooh, second challenge I've looked at this time and you've both got kick-ass themes. I feel quite inadequate now. Also, I haven't seen this film for a while and you've reminded me I really need to address that problem.

Good luck in the challenge. It looks like you've thought it through. Oh and give that shark hell!

 

Thanks! I'm gonna try to have fun with it.

 

Also, a big thank you to Theophilus for inspiration on this month's theme!

[Syren]

Oooo! Where are you going? (If you can divulge) That will be great!!!! Catch a Mahi Mahi for me, while you're searching for the Jaguar Shark

[Jayniana Jones]

Awesome! You're adding illustrations!

 

Your goals look good. I hope the weather is more friendly for you this time. 

[SaltyDragon]

Oooo! Where are you going? (If you can divulge) That will be great!!!! Catch a Mahi Mahi for me, while you're searching for the Jaguar Shark

 

The first half of the cruise is in the Bering Sea, and the second is in Shelikof Strait, between Kodiak island and the mainland. Sorry, no Mahi (or rhinestone bluefin) up here – lots of pollock, though. How do you feel about fish sticks?

 

Footnote: I should point out that it is totally accepted to call these things a "cruise" in the scientific community, but just so there's no confusion, it's really a "research project." Sadly, no alcoholic beverages allowed!

[SaltyDragon]

Awesome! You're adding illustrations!

 

Your goals look good.

 

Thanks!

 

I hope the weather is more friendly for you this time. 

 

But please forgive me if I don't get my hopes up too high on this.

[tinkerer]

This looks like another fun challenge for you! Any new developments in getting the on-board gym situation improved?

[SaltyDragon]

This looks like another fun challenge for you! Any new developments in getting the on-board gym situation improved?

 

I think it's as good as it's going to get, but that's better than it's been in years so I'm not complaining.

 

Yesterday, morning yoga and an easy 1.6 mile "rest day" run – I just couldn't bear the idea of not running on one of my last days in port.

 

Today started with morning yoga, then a 10.4 mile run (longest to date!) which included about 2.5 tortuously hilly trail miles. There's nothing this long anywhere on my training plan, but my eventual goal is a half-marathon this year, so I want to keep building my miles where I can – plus I wanted to take advantage of the weekend and get a good jump on the challenge. I was very careful to keep the pace low, and I feel really good.

 

Also, 60 push-ups and 100 crunches.

 

[originalpiratematerial]

Following!  

[theophilus]

Love this. Fantastic GIFs. Even better goals. Sub'd.

[SaltyDragon]

Alaska can be a lonely place sometimes. Thanks everyone, for hanging out with me.

 

First official day of the challenge, so let's see how it's going. Still pretty tired after yesterday's long run, but actually feel pretty good. I did my morning yoga, which I'm finding to be a great way to loosen up and kind of ease into my day. I'm even starting to enjoy getting up extra early. Weird.

 

This afternoon, I'd made an appointment to drop off my bike at the local bike shop (they're going to ship it out of here for me), so I planned to do that and then get my run in on the way back. Well, it was super windy today, and riding into it to get to the shop was actually pretty tiring. My training plan called for a 3 mile easy run, but after the bike ride, I just ran the 2 miles back to the boat and called it good. I need to be recovering from yesterday still, anyway.

 

Back at the boat, I did my first dumbbell workout, followed by routine post-run stretching. Whew.

 

Then I had a brownie. Yum.

 

In other news, the weather has kept any flights from getting in today, so a bunch of our scientists and returning crew are stuck in Anchorage right now (this happens all the time out here). The weather should improve, but if they don't make it in tomorrow either, then (one can hope) I might get another day in port. Hooray!

[originalpiratematerial]

Really interesting - I am enjoying reading about what you do as well as your challenges!

[Jormungand]

Be careful - I also fell victim to the siren's call of waking up early. Once you start, it's tough to stop. That is awesome about you getting your bike shipped. It makes me excited thinking about weather conditions becoming more conducive to bike riding. 

[tinkerer]

Congrats on your long run! It seems to me that if you are able to just go for a 10 mile run for fun while your in port then the half-marathon should be a very achievable thing!

[SaltyDragon]

Really interesting - I am enjoying reading about what you do as well as your challenges!

 

Cool. I'll put a little more out there in a day or two.

 

Be careful - I also fell victim to the siren's call of waking up early. Once you start, it's tough to stop. That is awesome about you getting your bike shipped. It makes me excited thinking about weather conditions becoming more conducive to bike riding. 

 

Yeah, I really should have left it in Oregon, but, oh well. It'll still be cheaper to ship it than to buy another one – and I kinda like it.

 

Congrats on your long run! It seems to me that if you are able to just go for a 10 mile run for fun while your in port then the half-marathon should be a very achievable thing!

 

Thanks! I'm sure I could do one today if I tried, but I'm kinda enjoying the process of working up through longer races. If I can get three or four in by fall, then I really think I'll be ready to finish a half with a respectable time. That's the plan, anyway.

[SaltyDragon]

Today, morning yoga, 3.5 mile easy run, 2 pull-ups and another new roommate. Who is apparently very sleepy.

 

But, all personnel are accounted for, so we depart tomorrow morning for 23 days. The good thing about leaving on time is that we are likely to return on time – which is important because I have a flight out of here the day after we're scheduled to return! :-D

[originalpiratematerial]

Sounds like a good start to the day! Lol at the sleepy roommate.

[Syren]

The first half of the cruise is in the Bering Sea, and the second is in Shelikof Strait, between Kodiak island and the mainland. Sorry, no Mahi (or rhinestone bluefin) up here – lots of pollock, though. How do you feel about fish sticks?

 

Footnote: I should point out that it is totally accepted to call these things a "cruise" in the scientific community, but just so there's no confusion, it's really a "research project." Sadly, no alcoholic beverages allowed!

 

I've been on a couple research project "cruises" myself -- just in the Gulf of Mexico where the Mahi are plentiful

 

I hope the seas don't roll you all too much -- I understand it is usually quite turbid up there 

 

ps What are you doing? I am insanely curious -- just a very seasick prone marine biologist

[Jayniana Jones]

Wow! It sounds like you're doing great.

 

With all your training on the ship, I bet you'll end up running a 1/2 marathon faster than you expect because the ground doesn't move under your feet.

 

Great idea to have your bike shipped and waiting for you.

[SaltyDragon]

Of course this was going to happen...

 

We spend all day in nice calm protected waters, and then as soon as my shift is over and it's time to head for the treadmill, we pull out into the shit and start bucking and rolling, and I'm supposed to do intervals today. Grrr! Aggravating!!

 

So, hanging on for dear life, I'll end the day with 2.7 treadmill miles (speedwork day), 90 push-ups, 150 crunches and abbreviated morning yoga (1 pt).

 

I should try to rig a camera behind the treadmill next time... I'm sure you'd all be highly entertained at my expense!

[SaltyDragon]

I've been on a couple research project "cruises" myself -- just in the Gulf of Mexico where the Mahi are plentiful

 

I hope the seas don't roll you all too much -- I understand it is usually quite turbid up there 

 

ps What are you doing? I am insanely curious -- just a very seasick prone marine biologist

 

This is a stock assessment survey for walleye pollock – running acoustic transects and trawl sampling. The data will ultimately factor into commercial catch limits.

 

We'll be targeting pollock, so won't see much of anything else. I've worked in Hawaii too, though, where we caught ono, mahi, and oh so much ahi tuna... sashimi for days!

[originalpiratematerial]

Thanks for sharing a bit more info about what you do - so interesting to read about other Nerds do!

[emoji33] at the rolling treadmill! I could never do that! I won't run faster than 10 kph on it as I worry about falling off!