Charlie Quinn: Building a Better Machine

[Charlie_Quinn]

My goals this challenge won't be much different from previous and I'm keeping them quite simple. So I'm picking a silly theme to keep it interesting. 

 

I got the idea from the person I do most of my obstacle and mud runs with. She nicknamed me "The Machine" a while back and whenever I complete a tough obstacle at a race she always shouts "You're a machine" at me. Possibly just to embarrass me. Race season is nearly over now and I want to make sure that next year I come back even stronger. Next May I have my first ever 20 mile OCR, and I've never even run close to 20 miles before! Remind me again why I'm doing this? So I've got to start increasing my mileage and getting myself prepared for whatever 20 miles of an obstacle course race looks like. 

Like this, apparently:

Spoiler

 

Goal 1: Endurance Racer (running)

Run a minimum 3 times a week. Must do 1 long run a week.

 

Goal 2: Mini Submarine (swimming)

 

Swim at minimum of once a week

 

Goal 3: Tank (strength)

 

Strength Train a minimum of twice a week. Do chin ups whenever possible. Go climbing when possible

 

 

This challenge I'm going to try and do a better job of keeping track of each goal each week, as I tend to start off with a good plan for my goals, but it all gets ignored by about week 2! I'll aim to do proper write ups each week with analysis of each goal.

 

For the Rebellion! Chaaarge!

 

Weekly Trackers:

Week 0

Spoiler

Tank 3/2

Endurance Racer 2/3

Mini Submarine 1/1

Extras - chin up work everyday

Week 1

Spoiler

Tank 2/2

Endurance Racer 2/3

Mini Submarine 0/1

Extras

Week 2

Spoiler

Tank 0/2

Endurance Racer 3/3

Mini Submarine 1/1

Extras

Week 3

Spoiler

Tank 0/2

Endurance Racer 0/3

Mini Submarine 0/1

Extras

Week 4

Spoiler

Tank 0/2

Endurance Racer 0/3

Mini Submarine 0/1

Extras

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

3 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Goal 3: Tank (strength)

 

Strength Train a minimum of twice a week. Do chin ups whenever possible. Go climbing when possible

There are insufficient likes to demonstrate how perfect this goal is.

[Everstorm]

 

19 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

She nicknamed me "The Machine" a while back

ftfy

[iatetheyeti]

Following along again  

[Muir]

The roomba tank cat says I must follow this thread!

[Wild Wolf]

W00t w00t! Looks like a great challenge as always, CQ! Ya know, when I did my Spartan Beast with Eric, I had never run longer than 5 miles and I covered about 12 miles that day lol. I think with the right training and attitude, you can definitely take on that 20-mile OCR  

 

You are a machine!

 

 

W0lf

[Maigs]

Following. I gotta say the idea of a 20 mile OCR is awesome and terrifying

[DJtrippyT]

I am compelled to follow because of tank kitty. And because you're awesome

[Charlie_Quinn]

21 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

There are insufficient likes to demonstrate how perfect this goal is.

 

Glad you like it. I did think of you when coming up with the goal BTW! Oh, and I had a weird dream last night that you came to my home, drank all the beer in my fridge and then left. Make of that what you will! 

 

21 hours ago, Phoenix Burning said:

 

ftfy

 

Love it!

 

20 hours ago, iatetheyeti said:

Following along again  

 

Good to see you! Hope you're doing OK Yeti.

 

19 hours ago, Muir said:

The roomba tank cat says I must follow this thread!

 

Obey roomba-cat, he has firepower.

 

19 hours ago, Wild Wolf said:

W00t w00t! Looks like a great challenge as always, CQ! Ya know, when I did my Spartan Beast with Eric, I had never run longer than 5 miles and I covered about 12 miles that day lol. I think with the right training and attitude, you can definitely take on that 20-mile OCR  

 

 

Thanks Wolfie. I've got plenty of time to get a few more miles on my feet and it's not like a marathon where it's continuous running. As long as I keep up the training, I'll live be fine.

 

16 hours ago, Maigahane said:

Following. I gotta say the idea of a 20 mile OCR is awesome and terrifying

 

Yep, that's my current feeling about it too.

 

15 hours ago, DJtrippyT said:

I am compelled to follow because of tank kitty. And because you're awesome

 

All hail Tank Kitty! Aw thanks. Right back at ya Trippy!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Week 0 Day 1

 

Endurance Racer 

I went out for my long run early this afternoon. I planned on doing 14k but only managed 12. My mind was willing but my body, not so much. I guess yesterday took more out of me than I thought. It was a very slow run, my 10k time was 5 minutes slower than usual, but I'm glad I went out. 

 

Spent the last few hours watching an OCR documentary I brought called Rise of the Sufferfests. It was OK but needed a bit more chat with actual racers. It did make OCR enthusiasts look a bit crazy.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

44 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Glad you like it. I did think of you when coming up with the goal BTW! Oh, and I had a weird dream last night that you came to my home, drank all the beer in my fridge and then left. Make of that what you will! 

[maegs]

Following!  

[Mr_Willes]

On 17-9-2016 at 8:29 PM, Charlie_Quinn said:

Remind me again why I'm doing this?

 

Because it's RRDW!!! And it's absofreakinglutely awesome! And i wanna join ya! And i heard the DMM still have 7 tickets left! And i'm thinking about talking to my wife about it! And i'm a little afraid of going there knowing no-one!

 

Do you already know what wave you are in, and is it still open?

 

Oow and regarding your challenge, it so suits you:

 

 

You are an incredible machine, doing all the things! And kicking butt! (i played this for so many hours, and still haven't got the faintest idea why the cat is there).

[Charlie_Quinn]

35 minutes ago, mr_willes said:

 

Because it's RRDW!!! And it's absofreakinglutely awesome! And i wanna join ya! And i heard the DMM still have 7 tickets left! And i'm thinking about talking to my wife about it! And i'm a little afraid of going there knowing no-one!

 

Do you already know what wave you are in, and is it still open?

 

Oow and regarding your challenge, it so suits you:

 

 

You are an incredible machine, doing all the things! And kicking butt! (i played this for so many hours, and still haven't got the faintest idea why the cat is there).

 

YES! DO IT! Right now, I know zero people IRL that are doing it. I'm in wave 5 - I believe Mudstacle and DMM had this wave reserved. Would be so cool to do it with you. Of course, I'd have to get a lot better at running to keep up with you! If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!

[Charlie_Quinn]

14 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

 

Yep, that was pretty much my response when I woke up. 

 

10 hours ago, maegs said:

Following!  

 

Hey Maegs! Hope you're feeling better now!

[Mr_Willes]

12 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

 

YES! DO IT! Right now, I know zero people IRL that are doing it. I'm in wave 5 - I believe Mudstacle and DMM had this wave reserved. Would be so cool to do it with you. Of course, I'd have to get a lot better at running to keep up with you! If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!

 

Just to be sure i checked, wave 5 is full. Wave 4 could be an option but it's even earlier, and the next available wave is 14 (which starts at noon). Besides that, i knew it was hefty on the price. Didn't knew it was THAT expensive, 132.50 GBP. And that's without transportation (~70 GBP), accommodation or foods and drinks (don't know yet).  I think 2018 will be the year for the RRDW as my friends have committed to coming with me for this, and we will plan in advance. 

[Charlie_Quinn]

4 minutes ago, mr_willes said:

 

Just to be sure i checked, wave 5 is full. Wave 4 could be an option but it's even earlier, and the next available wave is 14 (which starts at noon). Besides that, i knew it was hefty on the price. Didn't knew it was THAT expensive, 132.50 GBP. And that's without transportation (~70 GBP), accommodation or foods and drinks (don't know yet).  I think 2018 will be the year for the RRDW as my friends have committed to coming with me for this, and we will plan in advance. 

 

Oh boo! Are you looking at the Rat Race website? Wave 5 was always showing as full on the official site as it was reserved for Mudstacle and DMM. I'm not sure if that's still the case though.

 

If I survive 2017, I'll be back for 2018. And maybe we can rope a few more Rebels in as well. 

[Mr_Willes]

3 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

 

Oh boo! Are you looking at the Rat Race website? Wave 5 was always showing as full on the official site as it was reserved for Mudstacle and DMM. I'm not sure if that's still the case though.

 

If I survive 2017, I'll be back for 2018. And maybe we can rope a few more Rebels in as well. 

 

I just checked the youtube vid. It's fantastic. I'm gonna work it in for 2018, next year is just not realistic. Just can't make that kind of investment, i also have a family where i want to do fun stuff with, so i need some time to budget for this.

 

Adding Rebels seems like the best idea, but we have to make sure we do get to go on wave 5!

[Charlie_Quinn]

7 minutes ago, mr_willes said:

 

I just checked the youtube vid. It's fantastic. I'm gonna work it in for 2018, next year is just not realistic. Just can't make that kind of investment, i also have a family where i want to do fun stuff with, so i need some time to budget for this.

 

Adding Rebels seems like the best idea, but we have to make sure we do get to go on wave 5!

 

No worries mate, it's completely understandable. And hey, maybe I could join you for a race near you next year instead. I really want to do a race abroad and Strong Viking or - if I'm drunk brave - Toughest look like awesome ones to try for a Euro race.

[Mad Hatter]

2 hours ago, mr_willes said:

 

Because it's RRDW!!! And it's absofreakinglutely awesome! And i wanna join ya! And i heard the DMM still have 7 tickets left! And i'm thinking about talking to my wife about it! And i'm a little afraid of going there knowing no-one!

 

Do you already know what wave you are in, and is it still open?

 

Oow and regarding your challenge, it so suits you:

 

 

You are an incredible machine, doing all the things! And kicking butt! (i played this for so many hours, and still haven't got the faintest idea why the cat is there).

 

Whoaaah nostalgia trip! Such an awesome game back in the day.  

 

Oh and following for antics as always.

[Charlie_Quinn]

Week 0 - Day 2

 

Tank

Came home and did barbell squats and single leg lunges, with back leg elevated. Finished up with chin ups and push ups.

 

Had my dinner cooking in the oven while working out (chicken with roast squash, cauliflower and kale) and made sure to do enough for lunch tomorrow. I've even prepped a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow and did some domestic rangering! I don't think I've been this productive in a long time. I hope it lasts!

[jonfirestar]

following!

[Terra]

Best dream ever!!!  LOL, I bout fell out of my chair laughing at that one...  

 

You are the ORC queen, therefore, 20k is totally doable!!!  Wahoo!

[maegs]

13 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Hey Maegs! Hope you're feeling better now!

I am, thanks! I was a bit headachy this morning, but it went away throughout the day (despite me staring at the computer all day at work, surprisingly), now I'm just super tired!  

[Everstorm]

5 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Week 0 - Day 2

 

Tank

Came home and did barbell squats and single leg lunges, with back leg elevated. Finished up with chin ups and push ups.

 

Had my dinner cooking in the oven while working out (chicken with roast squash, cauliflower and kale) and made sure to do enough for lunch tomorrow. I've even prepped a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow and did some domestic rangering! I don't think I've been this productive in a long time. I hope it lasts!

Oh,well done!  You're off to a great start.