RogueLibrarian increases the difficulty setting

[RogueLibrarian]

 

This month's challenge is similar to February's. I’m turning the volume up slightly from last month to see if I can keep up: more cardio, more climbing, more step count. If I can’t do it all, then that’s more information I use next month.

 

• Climbing 2x/week -- that’s up from once a week last month.

• 30+ minutes of cardio, 3x/week. Just a walk doesn’t count, but a good-faith effort at walk/jog does. Try to make this outdoor exercise once a week.

• Work on back/arm strength 2x/week in addition to actual climbing

  • I feel like rowing machine would count toward this as well as cardio? Opinions? I hate/love rowing because it feels like really efficient exercise and is really hard.

• Meditation daily. 5-10 minutes is fine.

• Fitbit: average 10K daily steps over the course of this challenge I’ll track it every week to keep up with the numbers, but the goal is an overall average, to give myself some flexibility for off days.

• Weigh in twice a week or so. No weight goal, just keeping an eye on how it’s going.

• Write: 3hrs/week

 

Take the belay certification at my gym during this challenge. (Carried over from February since I flaked out last month!)

 

Bonus mission: use the hotel gym during my work trip the first week of March. This first week is going to be very difficult to hit all these -- I'll be traveling two days, and I'll be distracted and occupied for three. That's going to mean some combination of trying to get in exercise while traveling, and working harder before and after the trip. Not insurmountable but it is going to be a pain to keep my focus.

[RogueLibrarian]

 

This is going to be a high-pressure week. I only have half a week in the office, I have a first phone interview for a job I really want, I have a presentation and a workshop to give next week, and a to-do list as long as my arm. I'm not quite sure how Shit Is Gonna Get Done this week.

 

What does an Assassin do under pressure? He strategizes and focuses and decides what weapons to use.

• I'm thinking a lot about what has to be prioritized. Some stuff is going to have to just get dropped or postponed, even if that means a weak Week 1 of my challenge.
• I'm going to take care of myself. I'm not going to blow off meditation, because that helps out my overall anxiety levels. I'm going to find a way to fit in some exercise because that keeps my energy going and burns off stress. I'm going to get to bed early enough. I'm going to switch off productivity mode at some point in the evening to recharge. I'm going to eat healthy.
• I'm going to plan my time and not multi-task and find my focus, and feel good about what I can get done.

[raptron]

That sounds like a great plan to tackle a busy week. Prioritization is a friend, not an enemy, for sure! 

[Mad Hatter]

Hello fellow climber!

[RogueLibrarian]

Hello fellow climber!

 

CLIMBIIIIING

 

I am a total noob at it. Your video on your thread makes me wonder what sort of simple practice/training gear I could set up at home.

[Mad Hatter]

ALL THE CLIMBING !

 

If you have the space a doorway pull-up bar is super awesome.

[RogueLibrarian]

Installing something indoors might entail a Conversation. We have an outdoor deck and a backyard with plenty of space that never gets used, though. Hm. 

 

I am not incredibly handy, but I built a storage shed from a kit two years ago. Surely some grownup playground equipment would be easier than that.

[RogueLibrarian]

Okay, for fifteen bucks I can get a doorway pullup bar that doesn't need installing, and for $50ish I could get a more permanent one that I could install somewhere out back where Ms. Rogue doesn't have to look at it. That's entirely doable.

[Jonesy]

Having a busy week during any of the challenges can be rough but I like your approach! It's better to be prepared and sacrifice some items that are not a high priority then to get frustrated when you can't get them in like you thought.

 

I like my door way pull up bar. I can't do a pull up on it yet but it's removable so I don't have to keep it up there. I bought one of these a few years back.

[RogueLibrarian]

Afternoon meeting canceled! I can go climbing today after all!

[Mad Hatter]

Woohoo!

[RogueLibrarian]

DAMMIT I forgot my Fitbit today. 

[RogueLibrarian]

On top of all this, I forgot that I'd offered to review two book manuscripts that have suddenly appeared this week. ...no that's fine really i'll just add it to the stack of work it's fine it's fine really

 

Yes. A climbing workout will be most welcome this afternoon.

[RogueLibrarian]

I like my door way pull up bar. I can't do a pull up on it yet but it's removable so I don't have to keep it up there. I bought one of these a few years back.

 

I just ordered one very similar to that, Jonesy. I'm thinking that pullup progress needs to be on my April challenge in some form.

[Jonesy]

This may be a noob question but what sort of climbing do you do?

[RogueLibrarian]

My gym has a three-story indoor rock wall.

[Jonesy]

That's cool!  That is definitely on my list of things to try. 

[RogueLibrarian]

I feel really good today, you guys. I've got a good workout high going.

 

I climbed my first actual ("easy") route -- the gym staffer belaying me confirmed that I hadn't cheated and gave me a high-five. (Me: "I can't move my arms any more than that, but thanks.")

 

Tried to sign up for belaying class, but either the instructor or I are unavailable for every session this month. She's going to talk to the other person who teaches it and call me in a few days.

 

I followed that up with 30 minutes on the elliptical. I feel 50% "I'm going to die" and 50% "I am mighty!"

 

Today's favorite weird workout track is Future Farmers of America by the late great Lou Reed. It features the refrain "I could crush him in my fist." What's not to like?

 

[mediaguy99]

Sub'd!

[tinkerer]

Moooore climbers! Woohooo! A three-story rock wall sounds like a great place to climb.

 

I really like the way you started sorting through your priorities for the week. There are always certain things that must get done in order for the big goals to happen...

 

Regarding climbing training, my fingers are often my limiting factor for climbing. If you are climbing twice a week that is probably a good amount of finger training. On the other hand, if you miss a day and are looking for a quick finger workout, there are options. You could google "finger board training" for a lot of information, but the simple starting point would be to hang from something by your fingertips for as many seconds as you can turn into three reps of hangs. (i.e. if you can do 20 seconds once, maybe shoot for 14 seconds three times.)

 

A word of caution if you're just getting started. It's really easy to train your hand muscles faster than you hand tendons which can lead to injuries 6 months or so into climbing. Take a look at "open hand" climbing grips (vs. crimps) to help train proper technique to avoid hand injuries.

[Mad Hatter]

That's why it's actually not recommended to train on the finger boards until at least a year into your training. But hanging, from a bar is good to begin with, then take it to one arm hangs.

[RogueLibrarian]

Okay, then it sounds like the pullup bar was fifteen bucks well invested. Thanks for the advice, you guys. I welcome it.

 

Phone interview this morning for a job I really want. Then driving to conference this evening -- I packed workout gear and a water bottle. Please hassle me about whether I manage to use the hotel gym at least once. At least I'll get a little walk in today going to pick up the rental car....

[RogueLibrarian]

On the other hand, if you miss a day and are looking for a quick finger workout, there are options. 

 

A word of caution if you're just getting started. It's really easy to train your hand muscles faster than you hand tendons which can lead to injuries 6 months or so into climbing. Take a look at "open hand" climbing grips (vs. crimps) to help train proper technique to avoid hand injuries.

 

I actually have a handheld grip training device that I bought for guitar a couple of weeks ago. I see that climbers use similar devices. I should get that back out to fiddle with.

[raptron]

Probably too early, but USE YOUR HOTEL GYM THIS TIME.

 

Good luck with the phone interview.

[mediaguy99]

 

This month's challenge is similar to February's. I’m turning the volume up slightly from last month to see if I can keep up: more cardio, more climbing, more step count. If I can’t do it all, then that’s more information I use next month.

 

• Climbing 2x/week -- that’s up from once a week last month.

• 30+ minutes of cardio, 3x/week. Just a walk doesn’t count, but a good-faith effort at walk/jog does. Try to make this outdoor exercise once a week.

• Work on back/arm strength 2x/week in addition to actual climbing

  • I feel like rowing machine would count toward this as well as cardio? Opinions? I hate/love rowing because it feels like really efficient exercise and is really hard.

• Meditation daily. 5-10 minutes is fine.

• Fitbit: average 10K daily steps over the course of this challenge I’ll track it every week to keep up with the numbers, but the goal is an overall average, to give myself some flexibility for off days.

• Weigh in twice a week or so. No weight goal, just keeping an eye on how it’s going.

• Write: 3hrs/week

 

Take the belay certification at my gym during this challenge. (Carried over from February since I flaked out last month!)

 

Bonus mission: use the hotel gym during my work trip the first week of March. This first week is going to be very difficult to hit all these -- I'll be traveling two days, and I'll be distracted and occupied for three. That's going to mean some combination of trying to get in exercise while traveling, and working harder before and after the trip. Not insurmountable but it is going to be a pain to keep my focus.

 

Glad to see some more Garrett imagery....