SaltyDragon: Legendary Journeys

[SaltyDragon]

This challenge finds me on the road for five weeks of travel and adventure. Leaving Alaska, I'll visit Hawaii, Oregon and Texas, and at least one other undetermined mystery location after that. There could even be another epic road trip involved.

 

Adapting and keeping up with a reasonably demanding workout schedule will be the focus of this challenge. I've learned a lot about how to do this already this year, and I'm excited to see what else I can discover.

 

Run
100 miles. I'm including the zero week for this. I have a 10k race on the 16th, and should have about 70 miles by then. I'll ease up a bit after that, but should still get about 15 miles a week.

 

Push, Pull, Sit
720 Push-ups
1200 Crunches
12 Pull-ups, opportunistically

I can't blame it on seas or long work days this time, so I'm keeping the same goals as before. I'd like to keep up with the pull-ups, but I'll have to be creative as to where while I'm on the move. Could be fun, actually.

 

Stretch
32 points total. I'm increasing this one a bit, and adding some foam roller work. This is an interesting development, since I left my foam roller on the boat – first goal, buy a new foam roller! 2 points for 30 min of yoga practice, 1 point for shorter or stretching only, 1 extra point for foam rollering (that's a word, right?).

 

Strength
16 points total. I won't have predictable, if any, access to weights so this may also take some creativity, but I'm just starting to see and feel some results, so I want to try to keep it up. I'm traveling with my resistance bands, so I can at least do that. 2 points for 20 min of strength training, 1 point for a good-try effort.

 

Side quests
1.) Last year, I logged miles in 9 states all year. I can beat that this year. I'm starting the challenge at 4 states so far. With a road trip likely, I can at least double that.
2.) For each state I visit, do something adventurous and fun that I haven't done before, or maybe just don't get to do very often.

 

[tinkerer]

Woohoo for roadtrips! It looks like you've really thought this out to make sure you can be successful in your travels but also keep your momentum going forward. Regarding strength training, there are a lot of body-weight-style exercises you can substitute for weights. Do you have specific exercises you're trying to keep improving?

[SaltyDragon]

14 hours ago, tinkerer said:

Regarding strength training, there are a lot of body-weight-style exercises you can substitute for weights. Do you have specific exercises you're trying to keep improving?

 

It's hard to say, because I've only recently started doing it at all. It's definitely the goal that I've put the least thought into so far – maybe that can change this month. I expect another learning experience, for sure.

 

-----

 

I've been pretty quiet about what I've been up to this week, so let's catch up. On saturday, I left Alaska and traveled to Honolulu, HI. That sounds nice, but it's been no vacation. I've been in a crunch to take care of some personal affairs left from when I used to live here. I wanted to make this kind of a resting "recovery" week, too, after four exhausting weeks at sea, so I haven't done anything towards my goals except running. I'll get back into everything else this weekend.

 

So on Sunday, I went for six miles around Kapiolani park and Waikiki, and wow, was it hot! As a former Texan, I never thought of Hawaii as hot when I lived here, but two years in Alaska has apparently undone that conditioning. I've traded sniffling for sweating, which all things considered, I think I prefer the sweating. Monday, another three miles around Kapiolani park.

 

I've been wanting for a while to join a running club for a group run, and I found one that meets on Tuesdays, so I planned to go. But I also got my luggage finally delivered, and with it my old pair of shoes. So in the morning I decided to go up into the hills for a "hike" on a cool four mile trail. Well, once I started, I just had to run, and I'm so glad I did. It's a beautiful (and great smelling) trail, and I really enjoyed the experience.

 

       

 

I still met with the group that evening, too. They were nice, even though most of the conversation was in Japanese. I met a couple of nice friendly people, and the faster ones kept me motivated to run at a good-for-me pace most of the way. So at the end of the day, Tuesday counts for about 10 miles, and one of my adventure goals, because I had never joined a running group before!

 

Today was my last day to take care of business, so I gave that top priority and did not get in a run. But I have some time in the morning before my flight, so I'll either get in another run, or go swimming/skin diving in the ocean. Actually, I already know which one it will be.

 

Then I fly back to Oregon, and will finally have some time to relax.

[tinkerer]

I find it very fun to reflect on sudden changes like that. A week ago you were being tossed around on the Bering Sea in frigid temps and now your running on a tropical island.

 

Keep us posted on the strength workouts! I have been working on Pistol and Shrimp squats for my strength days and find them to give me pretty good soreness (which I associate with a good workout :)).

 

Enjoy your time in Oregon. I spent 5 years in Portland and really grew to love that place.

[Jayniana Jones]

You know, I can think of much rougher places to have a recovery week than Hawaii...  I woke up to snow falling from the sky, then rain, and now the sun with a balmy temp of 35 degrees. 

 

It sounds like you've got some good ideas for this next round. For bodyweight ideas, you may want to peek at the bodyweight exercises listed in the workout section of NF (if you haven't done so already). Also the Assasin's guild just finished a series of mini-challenges that had scaled bodyweight exercises with links. Here's the link to the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aFD3hafXkJBYA8Bi1JKxGfEZMTr-suzmjYtjFy2G8lg/edit#gid=0 I'm not sure how long it'll be there, but it's worth a peek for ideas. 

[SaltyDragon]

Thursday, as planned, I got to do a little fun swimming and snorkeling. I also found a pull-up bar in the park, and got 4 in one go – getting better! Then, sadly, it was off to the airport. I'd never seen it so busy, but that's another story. Both me and all my luggage were in Oregon by evening.

 

Friday, just a 4 mile run.

 

Today, I start working on some other goals, so I got in some yoga, 50 pushups and 90 crunches. I also wanted to do the speed drills that I hadn't done earlier in the week, so I ran up to the local high school to use their track. The whole run there and back, plus ten repeats was just over 8 miles. That's a little more than I anticipated, but I went pretty easy on everything but the drills.

 

So now, I've got a good start on everything but the strength work. I'll probably start on that Monday. The hotel I'm in doesn't have any dumbbells, but they have some kind of machine I can check out.

 

On 4/1/2016 at 8:16 AM, Jayniana Jones said:

Also the Assasin's guild just finished a series of mini-challenges that had scaled bodyweight exercises with links. Here's the link to the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aFD3hafXkJBYA8Bi1JKxGfEZMTr-suzmjYtjFy2G8lg/edit#gid=0 I'm not sure how long it'll be there, but it's worth a peek for ideas.

 

Thanks for this! There's a lot of great ideas there.

[SaltyDragon]

So, the hotel I'm staying in puts out cookies every afternoon...I might be in trouble.

 

Zero Week Summary

 

I'm very happy with this week. I made good headway on my running, and laid off everything else. I do still feel tired, but pretty well recovered and ready to get back to work.

 

Run

39 miles, goal of 100.

A little more than I planned, but this is for 8 days, so not quite as much as it sounds like.

 

Push, Pull, Sit

Push-ups - 50 total, goal of 720

Crunches - 90 total, goal of 1000

Pull-ups - 4 total, goal of 12

Just one day's work on each of these. as intended. I'll get back in full swing on these now.

 

Stretch

2 points total, goal of 32.

Also just one day. Time to step it up, and buy that foam roller!

 

Strength

0 points total, goal of 16.

Nothing yet. Monday, Thursday and Saturday were my strength work days last month, and I'll try to keep to that this time, too. I'll find something to do tomorrow.

 

Adventure

Hawaii - 5 miles with running club

 

I don't know exactly when I leave yet, but I'll likely be in Oregon most of the week. I need to think of something adventurous to do here...

[Jormungand]

Awesome job. I'm sure you can find plenty to do on your travels. I look forward to reading up how it goes. 

[SnowOwl]

Where in Oregon are you?

[SaltyDragon]

2 hours ago, SnowOwl said:

Where in Oregon are you?

 

I'm on the coast, about a three hour drive from Portland. You're in OR too?

[SnowOwl]

I'm on the boarder between Oregon and Washington, but living in Washington. I'm about a 90 minute drive from Portland going the other way. I bet there is plenty of adventuring to do on the coast, I don't go there very often so I can't help you find it though.

[Jayniana Jones]

Talk about sending your body through climate trauma. Nice warm temps in Hawaii and chiller temps towards the north. Are you heading back out on a ship soon? Or did you get to enjoy solid ground for awhile?

 

As for the cookies, if you don't look at them they aren't there. 

 

[SaltyDragon]

14 hours ago, SnowOwl said:

I'm on the boarder between Oregon and Washington, but living in Washington. I'm about a 90 minute drive from Portland going the other way. I bet there is plenty of adventuring to do on the coast, I don't go there very often so I can't help you find it though.

 

There is. I just wish the water wasn't so cold – I'd love to do some kayaking or SUP on the bay. I'll think of something!

 

14 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

Talk about sending your body through climate trauma. Nice warm temps in Hawaii and chiller temps towards the north. Are you heading back out on a ship soon? Or did you get to enjoy solid ground for awhile?

 

As for the cookies, if you don't look at them they aren't there. 

 

Oh, it gets better. Texas is already in seeing high eighties, and that's where I'm off to next for the race. I'm thinking of heading down there a little earlier so I can acclimate a bit. And no, I'm off the boat all month.

 

And no cookies today. Score!!

[SaltyDragon]

Today, 3.7 miles pushing the "easy" pace to be a bit under 8:30 min/mile. Followed by a strength workout using a mix of bodyweight and resistance band.

 

In other news, a bit of sadness today as I bid farewell to my old car. We had a lot of fun and covered a lot of miles together – it was even home for about 9 months back in 2010. But it was time to move on, and now there is a new vehicle, eager to begin the next leg of this journey with me!

[Haikoo]

Aww, bye car. I always get a little attached to my vehicles....

[SaltyDragon]

Tuesday - three muddy miles and the hill that kicks my ass every time...ah, trail running in Oregon.

 

 

Today - Morning yoga followed by free hotel breakfast followed by a 6.5 mile tempo run. I'm trying to push pretty hard this week. I don't feel at my fastest, but my endurance is getting better. My watch gives me a recovery time after each workout (where it gets this and what it really means, I don't know), and right now, 12 hrs after today's run, it's telling me my recovery time is 72 hrs. Well, I will ease up here in a few days, so I can hopefully be strong and fast next weekend!

 

Passed this road sign on my run this morning, and for some reason was really amused...

 

 

Now, the journey continues! This afternoon, I got a little headstart on the road trip. I only went as far as Salem, but it's a start. Tomorrow morning I'll be Idaho bound!

[SnowOwl]

Are you taking I-84? If so you'll pass right though my home area! It beautiful around here - enjoy your drive.

[Jayniana Jones]

80s sound like heaven. Sorry to hear about your car. It's always a bummer when a trusty vehicle bites the dust.

[SaltyDragon]

12 hours ago, SnowOwl said:

Are you taking I-84? If so you'll pass right though my home area! It beautiful around here - enjoy your drive.

 

I took 22/20 from Salem, went through Bend and picked up 84 in Ontario. Sorry, I bypassed you! I thought about going that way, though – I've done it before, and you're right, it's fantastic – but I'd never been through Bend, so I decided to do something new.

 

1 hour ago, Jayniana Jones said:

80s sound like heaven. Sorry to hear about your car. It's always a bummer when a trusty vehicle bites the dust.

 

Well, it didn't die, I traded it in. It was sad to see it go, for sure, but now there's a new car, and a new adventure begins!

[SaltyDragon]

The calf muscles were pretty sore today, so I decided to make my watch happy and get in some recovery time – no running today. Plus, I knew it would be a long day on the road, so I wanted to leave as early as possible.

 

But...I did all the other things! Morning yoga, 90 push-ups and 150 crunches all day, and a dumbbell workout at the hotel tonight. They have a really nice fitness room here, and I even followed it up with a nice soak in the hot tub, which was quite relaxing despite the screaming children in the pool.

 

Tomorrow morning, I'll find somewhere to run. Then, tick Idaho off the list for the year!

 

Today's drive took me through snow-filled forests on the western Cascades, and high scrub lands (and potato farms) along the Snake river valley. It was sunny and about 70°F all day, too. Amazing! I'm in Burley, Idaho tonight, a little over 600 miles covered.

[theophilus]

I'm a little late to the party this time, but definitely following along. Excited to follow your adventures!

[Polgara19]

Wow, a hot tub sounds lovely and luxurious!  Enjoy your recovery!

[originalpiratematerial]

Hello again SaltyDragon! Late to the party, but following along!

[Jormungand]

Trail running, traveling, and sight seeing: sounds like you're flat killing it so far this challenge. I'm glad to hear that you're still able to train even with all of the hotels. I know that sometimes a break from the routine can throw things off. I guess you were able to stick with it during all the shifts you experienced during the last challenge, so I don't see why this would be any different. 

[SaltyDragon]

 

I'm a little late to the party this time, but definitely following along. Excited to follow your adventures!

 

I'm glad you made it!

 

 

Wow, a hot tub sounds lovely and luxurious!  Enjoy your recovery!

 

It was nice! If only I could be so fortunate every night.

 

 

Hello again SaltyDragon! Late to the party, but following along!

 

I was just wondering where you went. I'm happy you're back!

 

 

Trail running, traveling, and sight seeing: sounds like you're flat killing it so far this challenge. I'm glad to hear that you're still able to train even with all of the hotels. I know that sometimes a break from the routine can throw things off. I guess you were able to stick with it during all the shifts you experienced during the last challenge, so I don't see why this would be any different. 

 

I had the revelation last night, "Wow, lunges are easy when the floor isn't moving!" So, in some ways (good ways), I'm finding it very different!