Achieving goals

I thought we could use a thread where we could post about our latest fitness-related achievements, because this forum is really lacking in smugness.
Add your current goals as well, if you feel like it.

Just about twenty minutes ago I completed a series of four 15 minutes runs(with 10 minutes walking breaks between them), which has been the goal for me for the past three weeks or so(since I picked up running). The pace was fairly slow, but I've been pretty sedentary for the last couple of years, so I'm pretty pleased with myself.
Current goal: cutting the walking breaks to five minutes(eventually zero minutes, but that might take some time).

Good job Yum. Keep it up man, seeing as how you have a relatively low heart rate you should be able to reach your goal in no time. You know what works really well when you go running? Shouting slogans from advertisements out loud.

I'm planning on benching 225 lbs to failure today. Usually I bench 3x12 of 180-200. Why 225? because that's the required weight most athletes are suppose to bench at the combine. I want to see if I can get up to that level.

Just channel you inner Super Mario and that should be a cinch. AQUA POWAH!

Holy fuck! That guy's huge. An Aqua too hahaha! How's the running going?

I dunno, I'm thiking that tommorow I'll just take a short 15 minutes run, and in two days just do another 4x15, only in a slightly increased pace. I've heard this sort of thing should usually be done slowly.

*tomorrow

You're right about the gradual increases. The body needs to acclimatize itself and needs to rest. Burnout is the most likely thing to happen if you go full on and gas yourself too early. Not to mention the psychological factors in it. Pacing yourself will do wonders when it comes to running. Usually people give up early on when they gas.

"Usually people give up early on when they gas."

Yeah, it happened to me in the past. It's really odd they don't mention it in physical education classes.

Really? Over here they always tell the kids to take it slow and build up. It's also hockey country too so endurance plays a big part in how we're brought up to exercise as kids.

Sigh. Our education system is "full of fail"(is that what you crazy kids say these days? It's so hard to keep up).

I don't think so. Maybe because you guys don't put as much emphasis into athletics as we do over here.

You can run for longer periods of time without gassing. Your body takes in less oxygen and your heart does less work. Less energy used to perform an activity = higher period of sustaining said activity. So if you were to ramp up the intensity of your run your body would be more able to accommodate it. That's why when you start out you shouldn't be sprinting across an entire field your first time, you just won't be able to sustain such a long effort over a short period of time.

Lactic acid is not bad for you contrary to popular belief. Your muscles tear and become inflamed post and pre run causing the aches. Lactic acid is fuel for your muscles to be absorbed because it's glucose. That's why when you start off slow your body gets used to the effort being put into the activity. Your legs feed off that lactic acid and if your legs aren't ready to accommodate it they become overworked and you can't sustain the effort much longer because you've burned through all of it. You still need oxygen, you'll just need less to perform because you don't need all that oxygen. That's why long distance runners are usually really skinny, people. Less muscle mass, leaner looking and they don't need to take in more oxygen than what they require.

Yum that is a fantastic goal. I would recommend training for a 5k race. That is how I started to become a runner than found myelf running half marathons.

Dk advice is right in the money. I would remind you to stretch before and after each run. So IMPORTANT to prevent injury. Hill running will also be great training for endurance.

Btw great topic! 🙂

My physical goal is to totally rehab a knee injury from last summer. I am also working to drop 5% body fat

Pd

OooOoo Cooltastic thread! I need a moment to boast. 😛

Well, my disorder is quite complicated and unusual, but I am very proud of myself for being able to manage my symptoms through alternative medicine, research, and doing my best to maintain a healthy life style .

Let's see...

One of my current physical goals is to increase the amount of Aikido practice from 2 to 3 hours per week. My free style test is coming up in a couple of months, so I need to focus more on preparing for that.

I used to run (jog rather) faithfully. I'd like to get back into that eventually. Meantime, I also take pilates class.

"Okay. Makes Sense. Thanks DK."

No problem Sneezy!

Core and leg exercises for Aikido class. Stability and control are key. Free style class eh? The oly thing I can give you right now is well, breathe. Control your breathing and you'll be able to control yourself and your opponent(s). There isn't much to tell you really.

"Meantime, I also take pilates class."

I guess that makes you flexible.

Did a 100 mile race exactly a year ago - gave up all forms of sweaty activities afterwards !

Lesson: It can be done but OMFG !

But sounds like numbered DK knows the word - listen grasshoppers listen !

Peace 😉

Why do you suggest leg exercises for Aikido when there is no kicking involved?


Thanks, btw.

"Why do you suggest leg exercises for Aikido when there is no kicking involved?


Thanks, btw."

What good are you at diverting someone else's momentum when you can't keep your own feet and body on the ground. If you have a strong base you can perform smoother action without risking losing balance. I mean it was kind of obvious as to why I even said it lol.

the balance comes with ki. aikido involves minimal footworks.

"Yum-hows the running going?"

Just running 15-10 here and there to not lose it completely, as I've been focusing on some other, non-fitness-related goals. Looking forward to picking it up seriously again in the near future.
Not very encouraging, I know, but I have goal-ADD. I can't help it.

"15 mins is good, this is how i start mine: i run to the park, walk around the park, stretch, and stroke as many dogs as possible-asking their owners for permission of course and then hop jump and skip the short distance back! The point of me 'running' was twofold, i gave up smoking and needed another way of relieving some stress and i've also been feeling restless in another area so thought running would do the trick. But it doesn't seem to be working. I may take up yoga instead."

That sounds kinda fun. I'm a naturally relaxed person so I can't really help you on the stress front. Well, unless you're looking for some internet-funny(laughter was shown to relieve stress, iIrc).

"Rub it in my face why don't you. I'll soon be relaxed, i just need to get things in order that's all. "

Good luck. If you find yourself in need of a useless layabout, you know who to PM.

"And now i want to know what your non fitness related goals are-or were you just trying to show that you have everything in ship-shape condition? You know what they say about boasting."

Why, of course I know what they say about boasting! In fact, that is just the topic of my thesis "What They Say About Boasting: A Look At 17th Century Europe". The Puritan Enthusiast magazine lauded it as a "must-read for those interested in 17th century moralism of the northern European variety", and "the most exciting examination of the social dynamics in pre-enlightenment Mecklenburg we've seen in recent years", you know.