Chelkie’s Next Challenge, More Anticipated Than GoT Season 6

[Chelkie]

Ha! Just kidding, nothing is more exciting than the season premiere of Game of Thrones.

 

So last month/challenge had me doing this a lot:

 

 

I pretty much hate everyone I work with now (we've lost 4 people in the past 6 months) I really desperately want them to let me move to Nevada, wedding planning is going sideways, my apartment is trying to get us to sign a year long lease or gtfo (terrible timing) I have my CSOP exam in May and it turns out I have to go with another one of my coworkers who I detest...the crap keeps piling on.

 

But as they say, the only way out is through. So I shall get through all this terrible crap, and hopefully come out on the other side better than I started. 

On to the more cheerful things!

 

 

Goal One: Run the New Schedule - Get Out of my Way I've Got Training to Do!

 

I’ve modified my schedule again a bit and have set up a running calendar all the way to my next potential race June 18, 2016 the Mayor’s Half Marathon. It’s a toss-up if I’ll actually be in the state still by the time it rolls around, but I’m going to train like I will be just in case. This month’s training schedule is as follows: 1 tempo run, 1 long run, 3 easy runs a week with the hope of hitting around 30-35 mpw.

 

 

Goal Two: Study for CSOP - Dont Be Left In the Dark

 

It’s getting down to crunch time and I haven’t been studying nearly enough, still have 3 out of 4 pages of my outline to make notes on and flash cards to create. Would like to get about a page a week done, and then one week to make flash cards.

 

 

Goal Three: Do Upper Body Workout 3x a Week - Never Know When You Might Have to Fence With a Bear

 

I'm starting to see some serious muscular changes in my legs from all this running, but my arms/back/core are getting left behind. I'd like to knock out a bodyweight routine for my upper body at least three times a week, but hopefully more. 

 

 

 

 

Life Goal: Check Off Wedding Items - Don't Let it Become the Red Wedding

 

In the next month I’d really like to knock out a lot of the big wedding plans, the longer we wait the bigger the likelihood people and places we like will be booked already. (We’re 15 months out, it’s crazy but wedding people are srs and often book up fully up to two years in advance. The videographer we really love already booked out. L)

 

1.    Wedding Venue – Set Date & Give Deposit

2.    Photographer – Set Date & Give Deposit (Potential Engagement Photos)

3.    Makeup Artist - Set Date & Give Deposit, (Potential Engagement Photos & Trial)

4.    Buy Dress – Picked out the one I want, now just need to pull the trigger and order it!

5.    Start Designing Save the Dates/Work on Finalizing the Guest List for Out of Towners

6.    Book Honeymoon Timeshare & Flights

7.    Decide On & Book & Deposit for Videographer

8.    Decide On & Book Wedding Night Accommodations

9.    Decide On & Book Week Before Wedding VRBO

10.  Figure Out Week Before Wedding Timeline – Let Bridal Party Know When They Need to Show Up

11.  Set Up Wedding Calendar

12.  Book & Give Deposit for Wedding Planner

13.  Decide On Caterer – Figure Out Tastings

14.  Decide On & Book & Deposit DJ/Musician

15.  Figure Out Wedding Rehearsal

 

That is my Step One List That’s only about half of it, but those are big things that need to be arranged early. The pressure is on a bit as well because one of my bridesmaids is my best friend from Australia, so I need to give her ample time to arrange for non-outrageously priced last minute flights.

 

As Usual, my Starting Stats: (will update)

 

Weigh: 124.6

V02 max (estimate): 50.3

Body Fat (estimate) 26%

Waist: 28.5

Hips: 35.5

Arm: 11

Thigh: 22

Calf: 14

Butt: 38

[tinkerer]

I'm subscribed! It sounds like you have a ton going on but also have a bunch of motivation to see it through! Do you have a bodyweight workout in mind yet?

[SaltyDragon]

I am blissfully ignorant of nearly all things on television, so I can say most assuredly that your challenge this month is, in fact, more anticipated than Game of Thrones! Best of luck to you. That wedding planning sounds especially intense and potentially stressful. You can take some running breaks to relax!

 

I hope things work out for your job, too. Have you looked for any races close to Nevada you could do around the same time, if you move? I'm facing a similar dilemma – I want to plan some more races, but don't know where I'll be.

[acgilbert11@gmail.com]

Sounds like your motivated to get going! *Following*

[Chelkie]

Oh sorry, I didn't see your guys posts, wasn't planning on starting up until the "official" start. I really should set up email notifications...I've been pretty good this week though, have currently run 20 miles this week with plans to go on at least another 5-6 miler tonight. 

 

tinkerer - We've kind of cobbled together a few different workouts, i've convinced my fiance to do it with me! Think we'll focus on variations of push ups, planks, dips and crunches in a circuit style. I looked back at photos of me when I was lifting heavy though, and I must say I've started to miss it. 

 

saltydragon - So much stress! Really running is the only thing keeping me sane. Actually amusing you should ask that, I was just looking to see if there were any races around the time we would be moving. The conclusion I've drawn is that dear lord in June/July/August around when we might move, its going to be like 90-110 degrees. For a girl used to running in 20-60 degree weather it might take quite bit of adjusting before I can race anything in that heat. 

 

This is me everyday:

 

Thanks everyone for the motivation, and i'll see you all bright an early Monday morning to kick this shebang off.  

 

 

[SaltyDragon]

Quote

The conclusion I've drawn is that dear lord in June/July/August around when we might move, its going to be like 90-110 degrees.

 

I thought about that, too. But it looks like there might be some interesting options, either going higher up in elevation or racing at night. (I did not know that night time trail racing was a thing, but now that I do, I think I have to try it!)

[Chelkie]

On 4/3/2016 at 7:33 PM, SaltyDragon said:

 

I thought about that, too. But it looks like there might be some interesting options, either going higher up in elevation or racing at night. (I did not know that night time trail racing was a thing, but now that I do, I think I have to try it!)

 

Ooo yeah, i've actually always wanted to do the Rock & Rock Vegas race, late at night running down the strip? Sounds awesome! I don't think that is until Nov, but it's definitely on my list. Trail racing at night on the other hand sounds like death, especially in the desert with all sorts of creepy crawly poisonous things. *shudder* Something i'm not looking forward to if we end up moving, I HATE creepy crawly things, and luckily in Alaska the only real small pests you have to worry about are mosquitoes and noseeums. Going to have to deal with ants, cockroaches, giant spiders, scorpions, snakes...wait, why do I want to move again?

[Chelkie]

Did pretty well last week on my running goal, 27.5 miles in total (after the last three weeks which were 5/16/16 in that order), so I have hope for this week getting me up to 30 or really close. 

 

Friday's run was what running addictions are made of, clear and wonderfully sunny, awesome refreshing breeze, gorgeous scenery and my legs felt like they could run for days. Makes me only a little sad we might be moving.  

[Chelkie]

Had an excellent fitness day yesterday. Ran my fastest threshold run, 6.6 miles at a 9:54/mile pace, and we did our first upper body workout. 

 

It was pretty hilariously sad actually  We put on a youtube video that walked you through the exercises and they made it look so easy! We started to follow along but it was definitely more flailing, falling over and swearing than actual exercise. The state of my upper body strength - completely nonexistent. Going to stick with it though, take that dive bomber push ups!

[tinkerer]

Sounds like a stellar day one to the challenge! I'm sure that your second attempt will be a lot less flailing just knowing what to expect from the exercises. Hopefully there was some laughter involved too! (I hear laughter is a good core workout).

[Chelkie]

Oh my god guys! I'm moving to Nevada! We heard back 3 weeks early!

 

I'm both excited and terrified. I've only lived out of Alaska once and that was for college, so a slightly different situation. Never moved for a job before, it all feels very grown up.  More delightful stress though, need to find a company to ship all my stuff...and my car...and find a new place. Thankfully I have until July 1 to move so it gives me a bit of prep time for getting everything arranged.

 

I realize now that perhaps planning a wedding and moving cross country at the same time was not the best of ideas. Oh well, onwards and upwards!

[SaltyDragon]

Well, congratulations! I know you were hoping this would happen, so I hope it all works out well for you. It will be exciting for sure!

[Tala]

Awesome inspiration - and best Tyrion gif!! Following

[tinkerer]

22 hours ago, Chelkie said:

Oh my god guys! I'm moving to Nevada! We heard back 3 weeks early!

Congrats! Despite all of the nervousness I'm sure it's going to be a great adventure! Does that mean you get to run the Vegas Rock and Roll race? There is also a ton of great rock climbing in Nevada if you ever wanted to try that...

[Chelkie]

4 hours ago, tinkerer said:

Congrats! Despite all of the nervousness I'm sure it's going to be a great adventure! Does that mean you get to run the Vegas Rock and Roll race? There is also a ton of great rock climbing in Nevada if you ever wanted to try that...

 

Yes! Assuming of course I sign up soon, but holy moly I looked and its super expensive and there a bajillion people running it! The last race I ran had under 1000, this race had 45,000 people last year! My mind is boggled at the thought of that many runners in one place. 

 

Also I love rock climbing, not sure if I ever mentioned that before. I've only ever top roped though, and finding people with the experience to set a rope outside that want a relatively inexperienced newbie tagging along has been limited. I went climbing in the Glass House mountains in Australia when I was there though and it was an amazing experience.  Maybe i'll be able to find a climbing group in Vegas. Oooo and I bet there a bunch of awesome climbing gyms, there's only one here and I stopped climbing because I had to wait in line to get onto a wall and that just killed my desire. Shall have to dust off my climbing shoes and hope my harness still fits. 

 

So many exciting things about moving to the lower 48! 

 

Unlimited internet data! Fresh vegetables year round! Sun! Lightning! Legitimate free shipping! No more people telling me they don't ship International even though Alaska has been a state for 57 years! Comicon! Blizzcon! All the cons!

[theophilus]

Great challenge! Great goals as always. And super congrats on the move! That's so exciting.

[acgilbert11@gmail.com]

Sounds like a it's a great new start for a marriage too though, starting the next chapter of your lives in a new place - so poetic! Good Luck managing all of that and to continue sticking to good healthy habits throughout the habitat changes! (I tend to struggle with that, hopefully with NF help you'll kick ass at it!)

[tinkerer]

 

Also I love rock climbing, not sure if I ever mentioned that before. I've only ever top roped though, and finding people with the experience to set a rope outside that want a relatively inexperienced newbie tagging along has been limited. I went climbing in the Glass House mountains in Australia when I was there though and it was an amazing experience.  Maybe i'll be able to find a climbing group in Vegas. Oooo and I bet there a bunch of awesome climbing gyms, there's only one here and I stopped climbing because I had to wait in line to get onto a wall and that just killed my desire. Shall have to dust off my climbing shoes and hope my harness still fits. 

I had forgotten how expensive those rock-n-roll races are. Grrrr...

 

I don't know if you've mentioned climbing but that is super exciting that you are interested already! I am pretty sure Red Rocks is right next to Vegas and that is supposed to be some of the premier climbing anywhere (I've been told).
 

I've also been told the three most stressful things in life are moving, getting married and getting a new job. With everything you guys have coming up I wish you good luck and good communication to make the transitions fun and not stress-inducing.

[Chelkie]

Week One Update:

 

Alright week one went pretty well, not amazing but pretty good. 

 

Training schedule - Ran a total of 25 miles last week, got 2 easy runs a long run and a threshold run in, but I missed one easy day. 

 

Study - Got about half an outline page done, not as much as i'd like but i'm pretty proud I kept at it, i've gotten into the regulations section and dear god it's boring. 

 

Upper Body Workout - Rocked this goal this week, did our body weight routine 6 out of 7 days, and I actually am starting to be able to complete more of the exercises without failing! 

 

Wedding Stuff - Ugh. So my fiance went to tour a potential venue this weekend in OR and he absolutely loved it...but it turns out someone snuck in and put a hold on the date we wanted! Bitches! Now we have to wait to see if they decide they want the date or not, if they do we're going to have to go with our second date choice, which is just not as ideal.

[tinkerer]

I suppose it could be a positive thing that he did find a venue he loved...hopefully that other party finds something else to do!

Nice job on week 1!

[SaltyDragon]

Bastards!! So sorry to hear about that.

 

Great job on the week!

[Chelkie]

Oh hallelujah! They passed on the date!

 

Whew.

 

Things are going in the right direction, now to start checking some things off my wedding list. 

 

Thanks everyone!  it's a nice feeling to not have so many things hanging over my head now, knowing we're going to move and knowing we're getting married, and when these things will happen. 

[tinkerer]

Things always seem so much more achievable once you know the actual details vs. having some nebulous thing hanging over you for "someday."

 

Hooray on securing the venue!

[acgilbert11@gmail.com]

 

Oh hallelujah! They passed on the date!

 

Whew.

 

Things are going in the right direction, now to start checking some things off my wedding list. 

 

Thanks everyone!  it's a nice feeling to not have so many things hanging over my head now, knowing we're going to move and knowing we're getting married, and when these things will happen. 

That's so great! It's nice when everything works out easily!! Congrats

 

[SaltyDragon]

Hooray for progress (and stress reduction)!