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Recently, I have been stuck in a rut. To help myself get out of it, I've issued myself a three part challenge.
A- Run a 5k in less than 20 minutes
B- Achieve C on ICCup
C- Finish and submit my novel to publishers
I'm going to keep track of my progress in all 3 challenges here because it will push me to follow through to these goals and maybe I can grab some advice on them along the way. Also, if you feel physically or mentally bored or stuck, you should try to keep up with or beat me to these goals. Alternatively, set your own goals and meet and beat them. Believe me, it is worth it.
Let me explain my first goal:
Run a 5K in 20:00 or less over the summer.
Once upon a time, I ran Cross Country. I was not terrible, I was not great. If I recall correctly I ran a 5,000 meter (3.1 mile) race in about 20 minutes. The team's workout schedule was and remains the hardest physical challenge I've ever taken - it was harder than both indoor and outdoor track, which I also ran.
The problem was that I got lazy. I was in high school, I drank and partied a lot and I didn't always look forward to waking up at 5 a.m. on every Saturday, rain or shine. When I look back, my leaving (or giving up) was understandable but regrettable.
Lately, I have been especially lazy. For the last few months I barely did any serious moving, never mind something that could qualify as athletic. It was and is sad. So, to deal with my being a veritable fat mess (I am 6'3'', 210lbs/190.5cm, 95kg [is that how you euros do things?] and that is 10 pounds heavier than I have ever been and maybe 15 or 20 pounds heavier than I want to be), I am taking on this challenge:
Run a 5K in 20:00 or less. I want to do this over the upcoming summer and I want to do it more than once.
I don't want to set a goal that is out of reach but I also don't want to set one that is too easily attainable. 20 minutes is a basic estimate right now and may very well be pushed to lower times (never higher) based on how well I see myself progressing.
I can't remember my exact cross country times but I do recall two of my indoor/outdoor track times to help paint a picture: I ran a 55 second 400m (quarter mile) and a 2:10 800m (half mile). I only ran for one year in school before I quit the team and I think that if I put in serious and consistent work I can definitely reach 52 second 400m and 2:00 800m. However, that is for another challenge!
My rationale behind this challenge comes in two strains: I am 20 years old and I refuse to feel as though I am way past my physical peak. It seriously gets me down to think that 16 year-old me could outrun and out-throw me now.
That leads me to the second reason: Being physically inactive to the absurd degree that I have been over the past year or two takes a serious mental toll. I haven't been feeling well in any sense of the word for too long. To put it simply, training for this challenge will help me be happy and confident again. To put it even more simply, sex is better when you're in really good shape and I am tired of not being in shape. Yedig?? :p
I've been (roughly) following this training guide (except I train every day and not every other day) but I am afraid it is not right for me. I think it is meant for people who are absolutely new to running and I am not. I am going to search for guides that are a better fit. If you know any, please let me know!
Let me explain my second goal:
Reach C-level on ICCup by the time my first 5k is run.
I love StarCraft just like the rest of you. I've had the game since about 2000 and I've been here on TL since early 2003. I've followed the pro-scene with varying levels of interest for almost a decade now. BUT I STILL SUCK AT THIS GAME. That can't continue.
It's not because I'm an idiot. It simply goes back to laziness: I've never played seriously for a significant amount of time. Since I first logged onto B.net, the original Game-i, WGT, etc. etc., I've ended up dropping any attempts to become a decent player. Hopefully, that ends now.
I've been playing Terran on ICC for about a week now and am inching closer to D+. In fact, as soon as this is posted I am going to grab a few games. I'll keep you updated on my progress with more OMFG I MADE IT TO D+ that the TL blog section is used to - but I'll disguise my spam by sticking it in with other progress I'm making as well!
As far as a guide, the TL strategy section has been my bible and is moderated like it is the old testament. Stylish's FPVods are the best T guide I've seen for TvZ and TvP, so thank you Stylish! BUT, what the fuck do I do for TvT? I am at a bit of a loss for this matchup. Woe is me. Whatever, with more searching and practice, I'll figure it out.
Let me explain my third goal!
Finish and submit my novel to publishers by mid-summer.
I've always been a writer and in February, I decided to put it all together and finally write a novel. It's harder for me to get into as much detail on this challenge as I have about the others, but the easiest way for me to keep track of this is as follows:
As of now, I have written and edited 30,000 words.
I'm not sure how far I want to go and where I want to go from here but it is something I've got to seriously consider. I'll keep this updated with my status and as I go further, maybe some small pieces to read.
In the big picture, challenge number 3 is probably the most important. I want to make my living as a writer and it'd be wonderful if I were able to complete and submit a full length novel by July or August. We shall see.
PS Maybe I'll become a semi-famous SC commentator to benefit my novel in a popularity contest? WHO KNOWS?
Okay, time to to go hit C asap.
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haha
my goals for the summer are EXACTLY the same as yours, except I have no intention of going running
I'll just not get fired and call that a goal reached
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GL on reaching all 3 of those goals. Setting high standards for yourself is the way to go, looking forward to updates of your progress!
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However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research.
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On April 06 2009 12:01 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research.
This is a good summary of my post
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On April 06 2009 12:02 choboPEon wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2009 12:01 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research. This is a good summary of my post
what are you doing here? gogo iccup
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On April 06 2009 12:04 anderoo wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2009 12:02 choboPEon wrote:On April 06 2009 12:01 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research. This is a good summary of my post what are you doing here? gogo iccup
shit, you're right. be back later!
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United States12607 Posts
On April 06 2009 12:06 choboPEon wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2009 12:04 anderoo wrote:On April 06 2009 12:02 choboPEon wrote:On April 06 2009 12:01 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research. This is a good summary of my post what are you doing here? gogo iccup shit, you're right. be back later!
I have a feeling that goal B might interfere with you accomplishing goals A and C 
Good luck!!
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That big, I doubt you could hit a 2:00 800m. That gets you to states here in Massachusetts. O_O But a 5k in 20 minutes should be easily done! Just get a workout buddy and you should be fine. Working out alone, you lose motivation easily. Skipping one day turns into two turns into threeeee....=[ Best of luck.
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6'3 210?
Fuck cross country, play rugby!
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On April 06 2009 12:52 decafchicken wrote:
6'3 210?
Fuck cross country, play rugby!
I'm a cross coutnry runner too, breaking 20mins is NOT easy....
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Are you seriously a cross country runner because if breaking 20 minutes in a 5km is tough...A 5k in 20 minutes is definitely easy and should be attainable. People average that in a sprint triathlon.
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Thank you good sir, you've truly inspired me. I'm an extremely lazy person by nature, and somehow, this post has inspired me. I'm compelled to make a similar blog of my own...but somehow im pretty sure i'd get flamed for it Long story short, used to be buff, getting out of shape. Been playing 3 weeks and cant break D- because I don't practice enough. Used to be sociable but...just stopped. Last three girlfriends broke up with me because I mostly just said "not right now" when they asked if i wanted to go out somewhere or hang out. Yes, I'm pathetic :<. ALL THAT CHANGES STARTING TODAY!
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On April 06 2009 13:11 Dknight wrote:
Are you seriously a cross country runner because if breaking 20 minutes in a 5km is tough...A 5k in 20 minutes is definitely easy and should be attainable. People average that in a sprint triathlon.
yeah the 20 min 5k is probably my most attainable goal. i might have to lower it but thats a ways out.
not to say 20 minutes is easy because its not! but cross country running has a big mental aspect and the knowledge that i've been there and done that helps me through a race and training quite a bit.
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and i just won a couple of games in a row on iccup so man i'm feeling goooooooood :D
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On April 06 2009 13:19 TheAntZ wrote:Thank you good sir, you've truly inspired me. I'm an extremely lazy person by nature, and somehow, this post has inspired me. I'm compelled to make a similar blog of my own...but somehow im pretty sure i'd get flamed for it Long story short, used to be buff, getting out of shape. Been playing 3 weeks and cant break D- because I don't practice enough. Used to be sociable but...just stopped. Last three girlfriends broke up with me because I mostly just said "not right now" when they asked if i wanted to go out somewhere or hang out. Yes, I'm pathetic :<. ALL THAT CHANGES STARTING TODAY!
=] set some goals and beat the shit outta mine!
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On April 06 2009 12:35 JWD wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2009 12:06 choboPEon wrote:On April 06 2009 12:04 anderoo wrote:On April 06 2009 12:02 choboPEon wrote:On April 06 2009 12:01 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research. This is a good summary of my post what are you doing here? gogo iccup shit, you're right. be back later! I have a feeling that goal B might interfere with you accomplishing goals A and C Good luck!!
i dunno. i can mass game pretty hard and still go for a very serious training session once or twice a day. i think i can balance all 3.
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On April 06 2009 12:06 ieatkids5 wrote:
what's your novel about?
next update i'll give a good summary of it as well as an update on its progress
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On April 06 2009 12:52 decafchicken wrote:
6'3 210?
Fuck cross country, play rugby!
my school's rugby team sucks. I played with them last year and it stopped being fun after a while. :[
otherwise, i totally would because rugby is an awesome game.
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yeah, c2 5k is really geared to those that haven't run before.. (hence its name)
on the other hand you wouldn't want to jump into your previous routine right off the bat either. you could start in the middle of the c2 5k program, or follow some guides that are more geared to improving 5k time as opposed to starting fresh
hal higdon's comes to mind.. just google higdon 5k intermediate and you'll find it
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Currently I have a 2 week break from school, and my goals were to get fitter, write a 5000 word novel, and get D+ on Iccup.
Right now I'm failing at all 3 =(... last year at this time I had motivation =/. Although last year this time my only goal was to get fitter...and I have improved alot since then, and the goal doesn't seem that important, as I'm already at a comfortable level of fitness (comfortable, not good =/).
I'm a strong believer that the process in which you achieve your goals is easy...the hard part is getting motivation. I also believe that with enough caffeine you can achieve anything... hmmm...
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On April 06 2009 14:19 Llamaz wrote:
I also believe that with enough caffeine you can achieve anything... hmmm...
that might be why you are not as fit as you wish. im all about soda sometimes but too much of it makes me feel pretty disgusting.
as for coffee, that shit is mostly nasty.
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On April 06 2009 14:19 JeeJee wrote:
yeah, c2 5k is really geared to those that haven't run before.. (hence its name)
on the other hand you wouldn't want to jump into your previous routine right off the bat either. you could start in the middle of the c2 5k program, or follow some guides that are more geared to improving 5k time as opposed to starting fresh
hal higdon's comes to mind.. just google higdon 5k intermediate and you'll find it
thank you so so much. this is going to be very useful!
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1 is easily achievable. For males, our "prime" for athletics is pretty much during our 20s before testosterone starts to decline early-mid 30s. So you have 10 years of solid training ahead of you at the very least.
I strongly think you should go with intervals. 2-3 per week and then 1 tempo run per week.
Something along the lines of:
~5000m = 4*1250m intervals with 5 minutes rest inbetween each interval. (1 mi = 4x400m, 2 mi = 4x800m, etc.)
1. 1250m intervals are "all out" trying to maximize the time... so pretty much run them 80-95% (fast but sustainable bording into bad fatigue)
2. SPRINT the last 100m.
3. Decrease rest times as needed by 30-60s increments (or add 1-2 more intervals max -- no need lots of extra distance).
4. Do this 2-3x a week.
Do a tempo 5k run trying to PR at the end of every week.
20 mins is not even close to elite times. THE best and fastest improvements for relative beginners and intermediate runners will come from interval training. You fall into this category since you're out of shape even though you were a former athlete.
If you were looking to be advanced or elite you would definitely need more distance work to increase running efficiency and build a bigger aerobic "engine," but averaging ~6.5 minute miles does not require as much. No need for the extra mileage either as it's just more wear and tear on your joints.
Good luck sir. Keep us updated.
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great to hear you're setting some goals for yourself. you'll hit them, just make sure you're ready to set new ones once you get there! I'm working on getting to B-,putting on 5-10 pounds and deciding where I want to go to school, so I'm rooting for ya. :D
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thanks, eshlow. i will definitely use all of this advice. i appreciate it!
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if your D+, C is gonna take a loong time to reach.
Btw, I have very similar goals like you, exept for the novel thingy.
Me, D+ Terran, beeing lazy, started workout recently, goal is to get under 85kg (no running goals) aswell as planning to study this fall again and write up some huge stuff before study starts to get a good start (almost the same )
well good luck.
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
not to take the wind out of your sails for goal #1 but you aren't considered in your typical peak physical age until mid 20's-early 30's. Worrying about that at 20 is a bit irrational!
The other goals are excellent however.."summer" and "mid summer" as established times for your goals are too vague.. you will get up to those dates and go "well what is a few days?" or "what is 1 more week?"
I recommend picking a set day for all your goals and pushing yourself to reach it. Maybe even establish a reward/punishment for success or failure.
In any case this is great.. ignore my criticism if you have considered these things  I am proud of you!
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On April 06 2009 14:58 {88}iNcontroL wrote:
not to take the wind out of your sails for goal #1 but you aren't considered in your typical peak physical age until mid 20's-early 30's. Worrying about that at 20 is a bit irrational!
In a way you are right. But I am worrying about it in a completely personal way - I was extremely active a few years ago and up until recently I was doing nothing. That's all I meant in that regard.
The other goals are excellent however.."summer" and "mid summer" as established times for your goals are too vague.. you will get up to those dates and go "well what is a few days?" or "what is 1 more week?"
I recommend picking a set day for all your goals and pushing yourself to reach it. Maybe even establish a reward/punishment for success or failure.
You're right, I am in the process of selecting a specific 5k race(s) to sign up for. That is why it is so vague atm.In any case this is great.. ignore my criticism if you have considered these things I am proud of you!
thanks :D
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Good luck!! Goal A should be easy for you, good luck with goal B, I'm trying to get to that too
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On April 06 2009 13:44 choboPEon wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2009 13:11 Dknight wrote:
Are you seriously a cross country runner because if breaking 20 minutes in a 5km is tough...A 5k in 20 minutes is definitely easy and should be attainable. People average that in a sprint triathlon. yeah the 20 min 5k is probably my most attainable goal. i might have to lower it but thats a ways out. not to say 20 minutes is easy because its not! but cross country running has a big mental aspect and the knowledge that i've been there and done that helps me through a race and training quite a bit.
Sorry, that was in response to YPang, not you.
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You should definitely link us to your iccup account as well as do book updates
we promise you will get motivated to complete your goals
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On April 06 2009 13:51 choboPEon wrote:next update i'll give a good summary of it as well as an update on its progress
Please do. I'm also interested in how you'd find a publisher. That's usually the hardest process for people trying to get in.
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On April 06 2009 12:35 JWD wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2009 12:06 choboPEon wrote:On April 06 2009 12:04 anderoo wrote:On April 06 2009 12:02 choboPEon wrote:On April 06 2009 12:01 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
However, after becoming mentally unstable from mercury poisoning in 1978, Johnson created a "three tier" research and development plan to make his organization successful. The first two tiers, the "Heimlich Counter-Maneuver" and the "Take-A-Wish Foundation," were commercial failures and led to an investigation of the company by the U.S. Senate. However, when the investigative committee heard of the success of the third tier, a "man-sized ad-hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain," they recessed permanently and gave Aperture Science an open-ended contract to continue their research. This is a good summary of my post what are you doing here? gogo iccup shit, you're right. be back later! I have a feeling that goal B might interfere with you accomplishing goals A and C Good luck!!
this
heh gl anyhow
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