C_Q's very boring challenge, with running and...stuff

[Charlie_Quinn]

OK, I'm coming up blank on a theme this month, so I'm being very boring and not doing one. I couldn't think of anything that fit my goals, and to be honest, right now I can't be bothered to spend ages constructing a whole theme, looking for gifs and pictures etc. This month I want to spend some time focusing on a couple of weak points and, well, just getting shit done.

 

As anyone who knows me knows, my passion is OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). I'm not an athlete by any means, I'd class myself as a competitive fun runner - I like to push myself to my limit, but I'm not obsessed with timings or race positions. I'd love to be that person at the front, tearing up the course, but I'm nowhere near that good and doubt I ever will be. I've started booking up my races for next year but my first OCR probably won't be until around April. So I'll be spending winter doing all the boring training so I'm ready when the fun starts again next spring.

 

In my opinion, two of the most important elements of OCR are running and grip strength. I'm a very average runner, but this is mostly because up until now, I've been content to just plod along at the same pace and have never put any real effort into getting faster. I know I can go faster and further, I just need to put the effort in. Grip strength is becoming more and more important as OCR evolves and the obstacles become more complex (rigs, lache bars, spinning monkey bars). My grip strength isn't too bad - I can complete an average set of monkey bars - but it's not good enough to complete rigs or complicated monkey bars / rings.

 

So, my plan for this month is to work on these elements and also pay attention to my mobility. Without further ado, my goals:

 

Get my little legs moving faster:

- Run 3-4 times a week

- Make one of these runs a speed work session

- Attend every parkrun between now and Christmas: parkrun takes place on Saturday's and is a free, timed 5k run. I suck at getting up early on a Saturday to get there, but I made a promise to a friend that I would be there every week up until Christmas, so I'm adding it to the challenge to make sure I keep that promise.

 

Hang On!:

- Train my grip - not yet sure on frequency on this one, will test during zero week and come back to this

- Climb as much as possible: I tend to go climbing once a week but I'm going to try and squeeze in some extra sessions if I can

 

Stop my limbs falling off:

- Warm up correctly and cool down / stretch afterwards

- Do at least one 20min+ mobility session per week

[jonfirestar]

Themeless though it may be, it is a solid challenge!

[Mad Hatter]

Well I wouldn't consider the prospect of more climbing boring, quite the opposite!  

[Jarric]

Excellent plan for the month, following again  

 

17 minutes ago, Mad Hatter said:

Well I wouldn't consider the prospect of more climbing boring, quite the opposite!  

 

Also, this^

[DJtrippyT]

following!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following along again, boring often gets results that flashy doesn't. 

[Mr_Willes]

Contradictio in terminis

 

C_Q & Boring

[Maigs]

Following of course! Your goals look similar to what I'm planning on doing next challenge

[Muir]

Those are some solid goals.

 

And here is a gif which fits your theme

[EricMN]

Like I'm not following this.

 

5 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

OK, I'm coming up blank on a theme this month, so I'm being very boring and not doing one. I couldn't think of anything that fit my goals, and to be honest, right now I can't be bothered to spend ages constructing a whole theme, looking for gifs and pictures etc. This month I want to spend some time focusing on a couple of weak points and, well, just getting shit done.

 

As anyone who knows me knows, my passion is OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). I'm not an athlete by any means, I'd class myself as a competitive fun runner - I like to push myself to my limit, but I'm not obsessed with timings or race positions. I'd love to be that person at the front, tearing up the course, but I'm nowhere near that good and doubt I ever will be. I've started booking up my races for next year but my first OCR probably won't be until around April. So I'll be spending winter doing all the boring training so I'm ready when the fun starts again next spring.

I also hate the off-season. Solidarity.

 

5 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

In my opinion, two of the most important elements of OCR are running and grip strength. I'm a very average runner, but this is mostly because up until now, I've been content to just plod along at the same pace and have never put any real effort into getting faster. I know I can go faster and further, I just need to put the effort in. Grip strength is becoming more and more important as OCR evolves and the obstacles become more complex (rigs, lache bars, spinning monkey bars). My grip strength isn't too bad - I can complete an average set of monkey bars - but it's not good enough to complete rigs or complicated monkey bars / rings.

As a climber, you've probably got better grip strength than most, but I get you. Also, that Helix looks hella fun. I believe my calendar for 2018 needs to include a trip to your side of the pond so I can try some of those things.

 

5 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

So, my plan for this month is to work on these elements and also pay attention to my mobility. Without further ado, my goals:

 

Get my little legs moving faster:

- Run 3-4 times a week

- Make one of these runs a speed work session

- Attend every parkrun between now and Christmas: parkrun takes place on Saturday's and is a free, timed 5k run. I suck at getting up early on a Saturday to get there, but I made a promise to a friend that I would be there every week up until Christmas, so I'm adding it to the challenge to make sure I keep that promise.

I really wish Parkrun was a more-established thing over here, I could use the kick in the ass a timing chip provides on a regular basis.

 

5 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Hang On!:

- Train my grip - not yet sure on frequency on this one, will test during zero week and come back to this

- Climb as much as possible: I tend to go climbing once a week but I'm going to try and squeeze in some extra sessions if I can

 

Stop my limbs falling off:

- Warm up correctly and cool down / stretch afterwards

- Do at least one 20min+ mobility session per week

All solid. What are you using for grip training besides climbing, since that looks like two different sub-goals?

 

 Also, to your "doubt I ever will be", all the way back up at the top, I wouldn't doubt you, ever. Shall we see where 2017 takes us?

[Wild Wolf]

With you at the helm, this could never be boring  Following!

 

Wolf

[Charlie_Quinn]

9 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

Themeless though it may be, it is a solid challenge!

 

Thanks! My goals never change much, but it's nice to have a bit more focus on some specifics instead of my usual "run a bit and lift stuff"

 

9 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Well I wouldn't consider the prospect of more climbing boring, quite the opposite!  

 

This is true! The climbing is the reward for getting through the dull stuff

 

9 hours ago, Jarric said:

Excellent plan for the month, following again  

 

 

Also, this^

 

Why thank you, sir. 

 

8 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following along again, boring often gets results that flashy doesn't. 

 

Also true. Good to have you as always, Tank.

 

7 hours ago, mr_willes said:

Contradictio in terminis

 

C_Q & Boring

 

Haha! Cheers mate! I'll try to keep it as interesting as I can.

 

6 hours ago, Muir said:

Those are some solid goals.

 

And here is a gif which fits your theme

 

There really is a gif for everything! 

 

 

4 hours ago, EricMN said:

As a climber, you've probably got better grip strength than most, but I get you. Also, that Helix looks hella fun. I believe my calendar for 2018 needs to include a trip to your side of the pond so I can try some of those things.

As I've only been climbing a year and don't go as often as I'd like, I haven't yet got the grip strength you'd expect for a climber. 

If you were coming all this way, you'd have to do something special. I think Rat Race Dirty Weekend would be right up your street.

4 hours ago, EricMN said:

I really wish Parkrun was a more-established thing over here, I could use the kick in the ass a timing chip provides on a regular basis

I'm really surprised it hasn't taken off over there. I know there are a few popping up here and there but they are setup by groups of volunteers, so you need a lot of local people that are willing to put the time and effort in to get one setup. I think it took about 2 years for the one near me to get up and running.

4 hours ago, EricMN said:

What are you using for grip training besides climbing, since that looks like two different sub-goals?

Yep, two different sub goals. It's kind of a circular goal, as the climbing will help improve my grip strength and the extra grip strength training will also help with my climbing. I'm going to probably be doing a lot of dead hanging from the pull up bar or gym rings. I'm also going to loop towels around the bar and hang from those to practice a wider grip. And if I don't completely fry my forearms, I'll do some farmer carries for grip strength and heavy carry practice. That should cover it!

4 hours ago, EricMN said:

Also, to your "doubt I ever will be", all the way back up at the top, I wouldn't doubt you, ever. Shall we see where 2017 takes us?

I've no doubt that 2017 will take you all the way to the world champs. Me on the other hand? I'll be happy with getting up a little higher in the Mudstacle UK OCR league table. I have dreams about taking part in the UK Champs one year, but I don't know, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

4 hours ago, Wild Wolf said:

With you at the helm, this could never be boring  Following!

 

Wolf

 

Thanks Wolfie! Great to see you again!

[Xena]

Was so confused about your title. How could a challenge with running in it possibly be boring??

 

It sounds great to have a deal to do all the parkruns. Perfect motivation.

[Kestrel Grey]

The OCR world championship is in Canada next year. Just saying, if you need an excuse to visit...

[skinNbones]

I suppose I can try and live through the boredom to follow along. ...

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and receipts for all major purchases

[Charlie_Quinn]

8 hours ago, Xena said:

Was so confused about your title. How could a challenge with running in it possibly be boring??

 

It sounds great to have a deal to do all the parkruns. Perfect motivation.

 

Running is a bit of a love hate thing for me. I enjoy racing but find the training for races boring. Why can't I just do the races and not have to train for them? Oh yeah, because I would die, that's why!

 

3 hours ago, Cascade said:

The OCR world championship is in Canada next year. Just saying, if you need an excuse to visit...

 

I know! It was there this year as well and looked amazing. There is talk of Mudstacle doing a special group deal for the worlds next year, which will be soooo tempting if it happens.

 

2 hours ago, skinNbones said:

I suppose I can try and live through the boredom to follow along. ...

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and receipts for all major purchases

 

Your sacrifice is appreciated.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my preliminary schedule for this challenge:

Monday: Squats / Mobility

Tuesday: Easy run / Grip training

Wednesday: Strength training or Climbing

Thursday: Speed work / Mobility

Friday: Strength training or Climbing

Saturday: Parkrun / Grip training (If no climbing Friday)

Sunday: Long, steady Run / Climbing (?)

 

It's hard to fix a day for climbing as it's something Hubs and I like to do together, but he's been having a few shoulder issues recently. If his shoulder is playing up and he doesn't want to climb, I'll substitute a strength training session for climbing. Grip training will also depend on how much climbing is done that week. I'm testing this out this week and I'll adjust if needed.

 

Yesterday I did some BB squats and then some farmers walks with a 10kg plate in each hand. This is a great exercise as it works your grip and is good training for carries that they often have in races. After that, I spent 30 minutes foam rolling and stretching.

I discovered the couch stretch. This is a combination of a really good stretch and pure torture.

 

This is a very good stretch to do every day to stretch out your hip flexors so I'm going to try to do this in the evenings while watching tv.

[Mad Hatter]

No rest days? Or are you just going to take them when necessary?

[NeverThatBored]

2 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

I discovered the couch stretch. This is a combination of a really good stretch and pure torture.

 

This is a very good stretch to do every day to stretch out your hip flexors so I'm going to try to do this in the evenings while watching tv.

 

Following! I've been doing this every morning after reading Ready to Run and it WORKS. It's also great for when you're feeling really stiff in the middle of the run. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

4 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

 

[Mad Hatter]

3 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

 

But it feels so goooood...

 

[jonfirestar]

10 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

I discovered the couch stretch. This is a combination of a really good stretch and pure torture.

 

Ohh I've never tried this stretch. I've got to try it. I youtubed some videos on it and it doesn't look too tortuous. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

2 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

 

Ohh I've never tried this stretch. I've got to try it. I youtubed some videos on it and it doesn't look too tortuous. 

I'm not sure we're looking at the same picture...

[Kestrel Grey]

11 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

 

Ohh I've never tried this stretch. I've got to try it. I youtubed some videos on it and it doesn't look too tortuous. 

It is pure pain if done like the guy in the photo, unless you're freakishly limber. My trainer recommended it when I started getting pain with lunges, and I still can only sit up half-way before crippling agony ... but the good kind. It is an amazing stretch and I haven't had any problems with my hip flexors since.

[jonfirestar]

9 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I'm not sure we're looking at the same picture...

 

It might be a good time to mention...

19 minutes ago, Cascade said:

unless you're freakishly limber.

 

Yeah. Hypermobility is a thing. It's generally considered a bad thing (at least when associated with DCD) but it does mean that I find this kind of thing pretty easy.  I'm not as freakishly flexible as when I was younger but I still find my body responds very quickly and very well to stretching.

 

So I actually did this stretch this morning. Not torture and it did feel pretty good.

[Charlie_Quinn]

22 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

No rest days? Or are you just going to take them when necessary?

 

I figure I can drop the squats on a Monday if I'm feeling burnt out and just do the mobility. I can drop a strength session during the week if I need to, but I've got to try my best not to miss any running.

 

20 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

 

Following! I've been doing this every morning after reading Ready to Run and it WORKS. It's also great for when you're feeling really stiff in the middle of the run. 

 

That's good to know. Thanks!

 

18 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

 

Oh come on Tank, you know you want to try it.

 

13 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

 

Ohh I've never tried this stretch. I've got to try it. I youtubed some videos on it and it doesn't look too tortuous. 

 

1 hour ago, Cascade said:

It is pure pain if done like the guy in the photo, unless you're freakishly limber. My trainer recommended it when I started getting pain with lunges, and I still can only sit up half-way before crippling agony ... but the good kind. It is an amazing stretch and I haven't had any problems with my hip flexors since.

 

Maybe I'm more limber than I though then! I can do it like the guy in the photo, but my front leg starts to shake after about 90 seconds. The video I watched said to move your back knee forward a bit (so it's not so close to the wall) to lessen the stretch a little. It also says you can make it more difficult by raising your arms, but lets not go there yet!

 

37 minutes ago, jonfirestar said:

 

It might be a good time to mention...

 

Yeah. Hypermobility is a thing. It's generally considered a bad thing (at least when associated with DCD) but it does mean that I find this kind of thing pretty easy.  I'm not as freakishly flexible as when I was younger but I still find my body responds very quickly and very well to stretching.

 

So I actually did this stretch this morning. Not torture and it did feel pretty good.

 

Glad you found it helpful. I quite like the feeling you get you when holding deep stretches. That "so wrong it's right" kind of pain. I should probably stop talking now.....