(Salty) Dragon Back In Business

[SaltyDragon]

 

After sleeping off the last one, it's time to get back to work. I will once again be at sea for the vast majority of the challenge, and certain dreaded pastimes simply cannot be avoided any more. I didn't do much running last time – successfully avoiding the treadmill entirely. As enjoyable as that may have been, I don't want to give my body any ideas. So to remind him who's his daddy, I've come up with this...

 

Run
60 miles minimum, preferably not all at once. Use the treadmill, dammit! If I can do more, all the better. And yes, there will still be mountains.

 

Push, Pull
Push-ups - 720 total, same as last time.
Pull-ups - 32 total, stepping it up.

 

Stretch
10 back bending and stretching routines spread over the course of the challenge. Putting the back into "Back In Business." I've noticed doing yoga that posture and rounding my back is a problem for me. A few months ago, I found some video workouts that I think will help, but haven't done much with them yet. Now it's time. I'll be monitoring this one as I go, and if I don't think the videos are helping, I'll look for something else.

 

Weights
29 points total. Sticking with the same routines, mostly using the ship's awesome adjustable dumbbells. 2 points for each complete workout, 1 point for a good-try effort, and 1 bonus point each time I manage to increase the weight for all exercises (I'm not bodybuilding here, so this doesn't really happen that often).

 

-----

 

@Jormungand suggested last time that I put on some rockin tunes and get to it. This I can do. For fun, I searched my iTunes library for "back" and got around 175 hits. It pleases me to share a few...

 

1. On Your Way Down (feat. Allen Toussaint), Trombone Shorty, Backatown (2010)

[Jormungand]

Is that you running in that pic? I'm already looking forward to the mountain shots. Also, I'm digging the tunes.

 

I like the goals all around, and I'm really interested to see how things go with the 15-mile per week average. I can imagine that that's tough with being so waterlocked this round. You might try looking into listening to audiobooks while running. I know a lot of people enjoy that. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. I enjoy audiobooks and I enjoy running, but I can't focus on them when I combine the two. I once "listened" to an entire book of Margaret Atwood short stories over the course of several dreadmill sessions and couldn't to this day tell you the plot to a single one of them. You might be different though. 

[Jayniana Jones]

Following. May the weather be so spectacular that your challenge is easy peasy. 

[Polgara19]

Just now, Jayniana Jones said:

Following. May the weather be so spectacular that your challenge is easy peasy. 

 

This is a great sentiment!

[SaltyDragon]

6 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

Following. May the weather be so spectacular that your challenge is easy peasy. 

 

I so hope you're right. Actually, summer in the Bering can be pretty nice, in a weird relative sort of way.

 

-----

As for today, we landed in Dutch Harbor this morning. I got three hours sleep, worked hard all day offloading gear, bid a tearful farewell to my departing junior tech, then went and ran the Ballyhoo loop. Holy shit. The winds were screaming on the way up, then it started raining. It was one of those things that was miserable at the time, but a lot of fun in hindsight. The winds were, of course, blowing me right towards the jagged cliffs, and if that's not terrifying enough, there were an awful lot of eagles up there giving me suspicious looks. Once I hit the road down, though, it was a flat out blast all the way (apparently, it takes a 13% downhill grade for me to maintain a 6:00 pace).

 

I shaved almost 16 min off my last time, and there's definitely still room for improvement. That excites me.

 

Then I went to the Rat and ate a whole pizza. Whoa.

 

Clouds and rain on the view towards the north summit of Mt. Ballyhoo. You can just barely make out parts of the trail along the ridge.

 

The truth, according to Runkeeper.

 

2. Scratch My Back, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Fabulous Thunderbirds 'Girls Go Wild' (1979)

[SaltyDragon]

12 hours ago, Jormungand said:

Is that you running in that pic? I'm already looking forward to the mountain shots. Also, I'm digging the tunes.

 

I like the goals all around, and I'm really interested to see how things go with the 15-mile per week average. I can imagine that that's tough with being so waterlocked this round. You might try looking into listening to audiobooks while running. I know a lot of people enjoy that. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. I enjoy audiobooks and I enjoy running, but I can't focus on them when I combine the two. I once "listened" to an entire book of Margaret Atwood short stories over the course of several dreadmill sessions and couldn't to this day tell you the plot to a single one of them. You might be different though. 

 

Yeah, sadly you can tell it's not me because there's two people. It does look a lot like that up here, though.

 

And actually, I'm probably more like that than you. I get so focused on what's in my head, I can tune out anything. Not only listening, but I can "read" page after page  sometimes before realizing I have no clue what I just read. Sometimes I can do a podcast, but I generally stick to music on the earphones.

[FatboySuave]

8 hours ago, SaltyDragon said:

The winds were screaming on the way up, then it started raining. It was one of those things that was miserable at the time, but a lot of fun in hindsight. The winds were, of course, blowing me right towards the jagged cliffs, and if that's not terrifying enough, there were an awful lot of eagles up there giving me suspicious looks.

 

This sounds epic! Great challenge! I'll be following along. And please, please, please keep the tunes coming. I'm liking what I'm hearing so far.

[Jormungand]

17 hours ago, SaltyDragon said:

Yeah, sadly you can tell it's not me because there's two people. It does look a lot like that up here, though.

 

I just wanted to make sure. I guess it's possible that someone could've been chasing you.

 

Very, very cool all around. Most of the running I am used to is on relatively flat county roads. I've gotten the chance to run on a few trails we have here in and around the county, but I've never really had the opportunity to find a trail and just flat out move, let alone one like that with that kind of downhill grade. Way to take advantage of the shore time.

[Schaengel]

following...

[SaltyDragon]

Zero week summary

 

Run

20.24 miles, goal of 60. That's 33% already. That's OK, but I need to be sure to get the treadmill miles up while I'm at sea, too.

 

Push, Pull

Push-ups - 0 total, goal of 720

Pull-ups - 3 total, goal of 32

 

I never seem to do much of these in a zero week. Time to get to it!

 

Stretch

0 pts, goal of 10

See above. Also, the sleepy roommate is back, so I haven't really had the time and space to myself. We go on opposing schedules starting today, so nothing to fear (yet).

 

Weights

4 pts, goal of 29. So I only missed one workout overall last week, and I've increased the weights for all of the exercises now, except the missed ones, so I feel like I'm off to a good start.

 

-----

 

Normally I'm a big advocate of getting the work done early in the day, but I gotta say...this whole midnight sun thing can come in real handy. There's always more time for something else. Well, except sleep.

 

Didn't do any long runs, but did about 5 miles a day every day I was in port. Ran the Ballyhoo loop twice, and got to explore the old fort – found some great cliffs to chill out on and watch the whales, and tried to make friends with a cautious but curious fox. 1:12 is still the time to beat, and I'll be back on the 3rd ready to do it.

 

 

 

3) Backstroke, Albert Collins, Truckin' With Albert Collins (1965)

[Polgara19]

Good job keeping the legs moving during zero week, I'm sure you'll manage to get back on the dreadmill!

 

Great photos, thanks!

[Jormungand]

Very cool on the fort exploring. Your run photos are appreciated, as always. I'm afraid that soon my view during my outside runs will be nothing but corn fields, so I welcome shots from your running exploits. 

[SaltyDragon]

11 hours ago, Jormungand said:

I'm afraid that soon my view during my outside runs will be nothing but corn fields, so I welcome shots from your running exploits. 

 

Hey, that's not so bad. For the next 21 days, my outdoor views will be endless Bering-Sea grey – and for my treadmill runs, only the few pictures I've torn out of running magazines and stuck to the wall.

 

But for those few days in port... no, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get high!

 

[Warning – nerdy selfie video link]

4) Back Up and Push (Bonus Track), Chris Thile & Michael Daves, Sleep With One Eye Open (Deluxe Version) (2011)

 

[Jormungand]

3 hours ago, SaltyDragon said:

 

[Warning – nerdy selfie video link]

4) Back Up and Push (Bonus Track), Chris Thile & Michael Daves, Sleep With One Eye Open (Deluxe Version) (2011)

 

 

That is great. The music was a nice touch. 

[gunslinger_25]

Really great pictures!  I know they'll be in your mind's eye while you're at sea.

[FatboySuave]

That video is friggin' EPIC! Man, that looks like a fun place to run.

[Sora.2]

Good luck! The photos from your runs look awesome.

[SaltyDragon]

I did it! Finally, I did the treadmill (while doing my laundry – how's that fer awesome?). But for a guy who would normally say, "Eh, three miles is no big deal," that was a really hard three miles! Gotta get back into the habit.

 

I gotta say, too, that this has to be one of the best purchases I've made in the last six months... makes workouts and treadmill much more pleasant.

 

I'm training a new hire at work – which is actually going really well – not to mention getting buried in pollock and jellyfish again, so I've just been super busy. We're also going to be without internet pretty much every other day. Sadly, I'm not getting to visit NF very often, and I expect that to continue for the next couple weeks. But I'll be close by.

 

5) Ohio (Come Back to Texas), Bowling For Soup, A Hangover You Don't Deserve (2004)

[Jormungand]

I've always wanted to get a pair of wireless headphones. More than once have I smacked my phone to the ground trying to change tracks on a treadmill, subsequently yanking the cord loose, throwing me off balance, forcing me to stop the machine and ignore the looks from fellow gym members. Yeah. More than once...

 

Here's hoping for calm seas. 

[Jayniana Jones]

On 6/18/2016 at 4:49 AM, SaltyDragon said:

I did it! Finally, I did the treadmill (while doing my laundry – how's that fer awesome?). But for a guy who would normally say, "Eh, three miles is no big deal," that was a really hard three miles! Gotta get back into the habit.

 

 

Fantastic! I'm sure you missed the mountains the instant your foot hit the treadmill but congrats on not stopping your routine. I like your idea of putting pictures up of scenery to make your treadmill time a bit better. If nothing else it reminds you of why you're doing it. And, by the way, three miles on the treadmill is a big deal... says the person who is allowed to walk 1/2 a mile on the treadmill at PT.

 

I remember the few times I've been in Alaska loving the extra light because I could do so much more. I also remember hating that I'd be so busy that it wouldn't occur to me to prepare a meal until 10pm and I'd feel completely exhausted because my body was confused about time.

 

I hope your sea days and roommate days are smooth ones. Is the new hire your replacement or the other guys?

[gunslinger_25]

I think it takes real dedication to get on the mill for multiple reasons.  Going from beautiful scenery to the treadmill and being on board ship to boot really shows commitment!  As far as the headphones go, do the batteries last pretty long?  I have trouble with my iPod nano where I run the headphone cord on the inside of my shirt to avoid yanking on it with my flailing arms, but then I get wire creep as it pulls during the run and pulls tight.  No happy medium it seems.

[SaltyDragon]

On 6/19/2016 at 10:26 AM, Jayniana Jones said:

 

Fantastic! I'm sure you missed the mountains the instant your foot hit the treadmill but congrats on not stopping your routine. I like your idea of putting pictures up of scenery to make your treadmill time a bit better. If nothing else it reminds you of why you're doing it. And, by the way, three miles on the treadmill is a big deal... says the person who is allowed to walk 1/2 a mile on the treadmill at PT.

 

I remember the few times I've been in Alaska loving the extra light because I could do so much more. I also remember hating that I'd be so busy that it wouldn't occur to me to prepare a meal until 10pm and I'd feel completely exhausted because my body was confused about time.

 

I hope your sea days and roommate days are smooth ones. Is the new hire your replacement or the other guys?

 

Thanks for the perspective. I'm definitely impressed by your commitment and all you're able to accomplish. The new hire replaces the one that left already. They can't replace me until I officially give notice to leave. I know I've said this before, but...maybe soon.

 

11 hours ago, gunslinger_25 said:

I think it takes real dedication to get on the mill for multiple reasons.  Going from beautiful scenery to the treadmill and being on board ship to boot really shows commitment!  As far as the headphones go, do the batteries last pretty long?  I have trouble with my iPod nano where I run the headphone cord on the inside of my shirt to avoid yanking on it with my flailing arms, but then I get wire creep as it pulls during the run and pulls tight.  No happy medium it seems.

 

Thanks, though I think I'm going to wait for better weather to try again.

 

Battery life seems pretty good. I usually recharge them after four or five workouts. They talk to you when you power on, and will tell you if battery is high, medium or low. With a fresh charge, I suspect they'd last at least as long as my phone would with bluetooth, gps and music all running at once. I love the untethered freedom. I can set the phone down across the room to workout, or put it in my pocket and go running. I've not experienced any bluetooth dropouts, but that is one potential drawback. Oh, and for @Polgara19, you can do that pause-the-podcast-but-not-zombies-run trick with them, too. Cool!

[SaltyDragon]

I'm doing this on a quick break at work because we're about to lose internet for maybe two days, and I want to catch up on week one. I'll catch up with everyone else as soon as I can.

 

Week 1 Summary

 

Run

23.4 miles, goal of 60

Only 3.1 on the treadmill so far, but it's a start. The weather has picked up again, so I'm avoiding for now. If I can't keep up, at least I will have a few days on land at the end of the challenge. I know, though, the whole point was to spread it out and use the treadmill. I haven't abandoned hope yet.

 

Push, Pull

Push-ups - 140 total, goal of 720. I've been so busy lately that I forget to do these.

Pull-ups - 10 total, goal of 32. I've been slipping these in at work. As a bonus, they're harder with all my safety and rain gear on.

 

Back

2 points total, goal of 10

I like the exercises – they feel good. I just need to keep doing them.

 

Weights

11 points total, goal of 29

One bonus point for increasing the weight for every exercise (and maintaining reps!).

 

6) Back Door Man, Howlin' Wolf, Moanin' In The Moonlight (1960)

[Jormungand]

I wouldn't worry too much about the running. You're only able to do what the weather permits. I'm not a fan of treadmills when the surface underneath them isn't moving, and I can only imagine what it's like when the waves are in full force. Nice job on getting the pull-ups in. I bet you look pretty impressive doing them in full gear. 

[Basement Cat]

It's better to avoid the treadmill than to be unable to use. Stay prudent, and stay awesome!