Charlie Quinn: I Am One With The Force (Part 1)

[Charlie_Quinn]

C_Q's Plan for 2017

 

After a disastrous end to 2016, thanks to a rather horrible cold, I'm ready to do some ass kicking in 2017. My goal for the year - similar to last year - is to do as many OCR's as possible, the only difference this year is that I want to do well in races and not just be a "fun runner". I'm nowhere near "elite OCR" material, but that's no reason I shouldn't push myself and see what I'm truly capable of. The OCR group that I'm a member of (Mudstacle) has a league where points are awarded for taking part in certain races. My aim is to do as well as I can in the qualifying events and get some decent points on the league table.

 

To do this, I'm going to really need to up my game. I need to become a better, faster runner and more efficient on obstacle completion. This isn't going to be easy, but if I really want this, I'm going to need to become disciplined, I'm going to need dedication. I'm going to need to be a mother fucking Jedi. 

 

Part One: I Am One With The Force

 

My first two challenges of this year are inspired by Chirrut Îmwe's mantra in Rogue One. The guy might not be a Jedi, but he knows the power of the force and he has faith in it. I must have faith in myself that I can do the things I want if I just put the effort in and try my hardest. Plus, he's a total badass.

 

Goal 1: Run

Hopefully I won't come across AT-ACTs while I'm out for a run.

 

Run at least 4 times a week

I was going to go crazy and say I would run every day in January, but it's probably best to do something that I've got a better chance of sticking to! I'm going to aim to run as much as possible, even if it's just a 20 minute run around the block. But if I run at least 4 times in a week, that's a pass.

 

Goal 2: Strength and Grip Strength

Couldn't find a Rogue One Vader choke gif. Internet, you have failed me (for the last time).

 

I planned on working on my grip strength last challenge but got sidetracked by illness. The goal will be to do my usual strength training 3 times a week and work on my grip at the same time. This can be any grip exercise like deadhangs, plate grips, climbing and pull ups (which both count as strength training too).

I'll be testing how long I can deadhang for at the beginning of this challenge and then again at the end to see how much I've improved.

 

Goal 3: Tracking

 

Mine is built on a Bullet Journal.......

 

I started a bullet journal over Christmas in a bid to get myself more organised. I've not really got the hang of using it correctly yet, but I've started a Monthly habits page where I can mark off tasks when I've done them; such as running and Domestic Rangering. This will help keep me accountable and give me a good idea of where I need to make improvements.

This is what it looks like. It's very short at the moment, but I can add more tasks if I need to, but I'll probably keep it quite simple for this month.

 

I'll try and post an updated picture of the habits list each week for extra accountability.

[Mad Hatter]

Happy 2017! Super excited to see all the awesome this year will bring you and this challenge is a great start!  

[jonfirestar]

Wasn't that movie just amazing? I'm along for the ride run. 

[Charlie_Quinn]

1 hour ago, Mad Hatter said:

Happy 2017! Super excited to see all the awesome this year will bring you and this challenge is a great start!  

 

1 hour ago, jonfirestar said:

Wasn't that movie just amazing? I'm along for the ride run. 

 

Great to see you both. Thanks for the follow.

 

Day 1 update

Did a run this morning, my second of the year, as I did one yesterday as well. Only did 23 minutes on both days as it's been 3 weeks since I've done any running. I'm happy with how they went, despite the fact I've still got a lot of congestion from my never ending cold. 

 

Also did some domestic Rangering, vacuumed the flat, did a quick wipe down of the bathroom and cleaned the fish tank. 

 

Its been pretty easy to keep up with everything the last few days as I haven't been at work, but tomorrow is back to normal. That will be the real test.

 

I just found out that my mum has signed up for parkrun and is going to do her first one with us when she comes to visit at the end of January.  I'm really excited for her and I'm looking forward to doing joining her for her first run.

[Muir]

Following! And great news that your mum is taking up running. Hopefully it'll be an activity that the two of you can enjoy together.

[Mad Hatter]

That's awesome your mum is joining you!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following again.

[iatetheyeti]

...I haven't seen Rogue One yet  

 

Hopefully that will be corrected when I go visit my brother!

 

Nevertheless, following along for Badass Jedi CQ  

[DJtrippyT]

following! looking forward to seeing your bullet journal. I was always an obsessive notebook person and then @Sloth the Enduring turned me on to the bullet journal thing, so now I incorporate a lot of that into my notebooks. 

[Big_Show]

Nice challenge! Rogue One was awesome.

Which is your local Parkrun? I'm really looking forwrd to having the Ipswich one and the Needham Market GRL on my doorstep again soon.

[deftona]

Following along! 

 

17 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

 The OCR group that I'm a member of (Mudstacle) has a league where points are awarded for taking part in certain races. My aim is to do as well as I can in the qualifying events and get some decent points on the league table.

 

 

This sounds excellent! As if I wasn't already intrigued by the OCR Life, this just speaks to the competitor in me. 

[Charlie_Quinn]

15 hours ago, Muir said:

Following! And great news that your mum is taking up running. Hopefully it'll be an activity that the two of you can enjoy together.

 

Alas, it's not something we can do together as she lives in Devon and I'm in Hertfordshire! Hopefully she'll enjoy it enough to take it up and start living a healthier lifestyle.

 

15 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

That's awesome your mum is joining you!

 

It is! She's been saying for years that she wanted to try running but felt she was too old and too unfit to start. I think seeing my brothers fiance lose 4 stone in the last year from running and changing her diet has motivated her to give it a try.

 

13 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following again.

 

Welcome Rebel of the Month!

 

13 hours ago, iatetheyeti said:

...I haven't seen Rogue One yet  

 

Hopefully that will be corrected when I go visit my brother!

 

Nevertheless, following along for Badass Jedi CQ  

 

I tried to keep my challenge as spoiler free as possible just in case. I hope I succeeded !

 

7 hours ago, DJtrippyT said:

following! looking forward to seeing your bullet journal. I was always an obsessive notebook person and then @Sloth the Enduring turned me on to the bullet journal thing, so now I incorporate a lot of that into my notebooks. 

 

It's taking me a while to get the hang of logging everything and remembering what little symbol to put next to things. But it is helping to keep me organised.

 

6 hours ago, Big_Show said:

Nice challenge! Rogue One was awesome.

Which is your local Parkrun? I'm really looking forwrd to having the Ipswich one and the Needham Market GRL on my doorstep again soon.

 

My local one is Cassiobury Park in Watford, but I move between that one and St Albans as that's where friends go. So if I'm feeling like a social run I go to St Albans, but if I just want to go run and get home quickly, I go to Watford.

 

22 minutes ago, deftona said:

Following along! 

 

 

This sounds excellent! As if I wasn't already intrigued by the OCR Life, this just speaks to the competitor in me. 

 

It's really great that everybody, not just elite competitors, can have a go and get a bit of friendly competition going. If you decide to start doing some OCR's, Mudstacle membership is great value. For £33 a year you get your Yellow T Shirt and wrag, entry to the league, discounts on events and annual OCR insurance. Plus, you never run a race alone as there is always another yellow t shirt wearing nutter around!

 

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

 

Well, last night was.....weird. I went to bed just after 10:30 and got the gym all ready so I could get up and lift before work. But I could not drop off to sleep as I had music from Disney's Aladdin going round and round my head! I haven't watched that film in at least 6 months so no idea why that happened. Most random reason to be kept awake ever! Not sure how little sleep I got, but I did not manage to get up this morning. It's not really a big deal as I can just lift tonight, but I really want to get back into the habit of working out in the morning.

[Jarric]

Great challenge set up as always; I'll be going along again.

[Mad Hatter]

54 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

But I could not drop off to sleep as I had music from Disney's Aladdin going round and round my head! I haven't watched that film in at least 6 months so no idea why that happened.

 

 

[jonfirestar]

2 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

It's really great that everybody, not just elite competitors, can have a go and get a bit of friendly competition going. If you decide to start doing some OCR's, Mudstacle membership is great value. For £33 a year you get your Yellow T Shirt and wrag, entry to the league, discounts on events and annual OCR insurance. Plus, you never run a race alone as there is always another yellow t shirt wearing nutter around!

Hmm need to look into this!

 

I just hate it when my stupid brain decides that it won't let me sleep.

[EricMN]

Moth to flame, mudsister.

[starpuck]

Came for the Star Wars, and fell in love with the bullet journal!  I am headed to Target in 15 minutes to see if I can find one of these!!!!  So awesome!

 

[Mizbrek]

Just saw Rogue One last night so I love EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS.

 

Also am I the only one who now wants a Chirrut Imwe movie desperately?

 

Think your running goals sound good. Run as much as you can, I'd say, but listen to your body too. 4 times a week would be phenomenal, but even 10 minutes is better than zero.

 

And I'm on the journaling train as well! Kind of. Doing the Morning Pages thing, where you just write stream of consciousness every morning. We'll see how it goes. I know Mrs. Miz lives by her bullet journal.

[Wild Wolf]

Hey CQ! I like the 2017 layout and always love reading about your mud runs! Go get it, girlie! 

 

..also, Rogue One FTW. Awesome, awesome movie.

 

Wolf

[Nymeria]

Great goals!  I'm glad you're pushing yourself to be a better racer.  And I fixed that vvv for you.

On 1/2/2017 at 0:03 PM, Charlie_Quinn said:

I'm nowhere near "elite OCR" material yet

 

Really, you already have so many great tools for the OCRs, and the focused training should really help you up your game.  I can't wait to see you crush those races!

[Mad Hatter]

You might find this podcast inspiring.

 

http://fourhourworkweek.com/2015/12/22/amelia-boone/

[NeverThatBored]

Following again! You're going to be an OCR boss. 

[stonegirl78]

All the Rogue One - I loved that movie!!

And way to go, Charlie! This challenge sounds wonderful

Wishing you the most wonderful of challenges, and may the Force be with you!

Stoney

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Starstuff]

Star Wars, running, and bullet journaling? Yaaaaaaaas.

[Charlie_Quinn]

21 hours ago, Jarric said:

Great challenge set up as always; I'll be going along again.

 

Helllooooooo! 

 

20 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

 

 

 

Is that from Inside Out? I need to watch that movie again. 

 

19 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

Hmm need to look into this!

 

I just hate it when my stupid brain decides that it won't let me sleep.

 

If you plan on doing a few races in the next few years, Mudstacle membership is worth it for the insurance alone. My brain does it all the time, it's so annoying. It's the first time it's ever kept me awake with Disney songs!

 

15 hours ago, EricMN said:

Moth to flame, mudsister.

 

Ahoy there Master. 

Oh god, my heart is still broken. 

 

15 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Came for the Star Wars, and fell in love with the bullet journal!  I am headed to Target in 15 minutes to see if I can find one of these!!!!  So awesome!

 

 

Mine isn't anything special, it's just a notebook that I got free from a promo! You can use any note book you like, but ones with dotted grid pages are best. I used this guide to set mine up.

 

15 hours ago, Mizbrek said:

Just saw Rogue One last night so I love EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS.

 

Also am I the only one who now wants a Chirrut Imwe movie desperately?

 

Think your running goals sound good. Run as much as you can, I'd say, but listen to your body too. 4 times a week would be phenomenal, but even 10 minutes is better than zero.

 

And I'm on the journaling train as well! Kind of. Doing the Morning Pages thing, where you just write stream of consciousness every morning. We'll see how it goes. I know Mrs. Miz lives by her bullet journal.

 

I want a movie with what Chirrut and Baze got up to in the years leading up to this. It could be like a buddy-cop movie! 

 

That was my thinking on running. Even if I can only get in a 15 minute run, it's still something. I'd love to run everyday but I also want muscles, so there's no way I'm giving up my strength training to go running!

 

14 hours ago, Wild Wolf said:

Hey CQ! I like the 2017 layout and always love reading about your mud runs! Go get it, girlie! 

 

..also, Rogue One FTW. Awesome, awesome movie.

 

Wolf

 

Hey Wolf! Rogue One was just wonderful. I'm hoping to go and see R1 again at the weekend. I was supposed to see it again last week with my brother, but he told me he wasn't bothered about seeing it!!! I had to revoke his nerd card and disown him immediately 

 

14 hours ago, Nymeria said:

Great goals!  I'm glad you're pushing yourself to be a better racer.  And I fixed that vvv for you.

 

Really, you already have so many great tools for the OCRs, and the focused training should really help you up your game.  I can't wait to see you crush those races!

 

Thanks for that! TBH, the UK OCR scene is wide open for women at the moment. A lot of the elite women seem to have disappeared or moved to other sports, so who knows? I'm not saying I'm going to be on any podiums or anything but I could get some reasonable placings for my age group if I train hard enough.

 

14 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

You might find this podcast inspiring.

 

http://fourhourworkweek.com/2015/12/22/amelia-boone/

 

Oh thanks! I've downloaded that to my phone so I can listen to it on my commute.

 

13 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

Following again! You're going to be an OCR boss. 

 

Hello! Thanks so much!

 

9 hours ago, stonegirl78 said:

All the Rogue One - I loved that movie!!

And way to go, Charlie! This challenge sounds wonderful

Wishing you the most wonderful of challenges, and may the Force be with you!

Stoney

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Stoney! 

 

5 hours ago, Starstuff said:

Star Wars, running, and bullet journaling? Yaaaaaaaas.

 

 

There just aren't enough Rogue One gifs at the moment. I need more K2SO!