75 Hard: Week Two

I try to set goals that seem kind of unreasonable at first. As I live towards them, the more reasonable they look.  

- Katie Ledecky

So how’s week two going?  At then end of last week & now the beginning of this week, I feel like I have found a rhythm.

My legs are still tired, but I’m finding ways to workout out upper body instead of my legs. The days that I double up on legs, I really pay for it the next day. 

So Friday I did 1.5hrs in a 20lb vest and followed that up with 45min on the bike. Saturday I really felt that. 

The weekend will be my first work trip while on the program. So we’ll see how it goes with the water & food. 

Update:  I made it through the convention.  My calories & sleep were a little low, but I made it through.

Now I'm toying with the idea of a 50k in June.

75 Hard: Week One

 

In a world that confronts me with mechanical convenience and idle luxury at virtually every turn, I have decided, nonetheless, to improve my physical fitness.  - Amby Burfoot

This was the first thing that stuck out to me in the book that I'm reading, Runner's World - The Complete Book of Running.  Yeah, I know, I'm already runner. I'm a mediocre runner & I want to know more.  Back to the quote...  It's so true.  We really don't have any reason to get out of our comfort zone to move through this life.  We can just meander along & never challenge ourselves.  

That's how we set it up.  We always bring up the microwave or the remote control, but we're so far past that now.  I don't even want to make my own food. Hell, I want someone to bring it to me. And my groceries. And any other thing that I can think of.  I no longer have to get up to change the channel because the TV is in the palm of my hand.  Even better, I don't even have to watch the commercials anymore.   I'm not condemning anyone.  I use these things.  I say it to illuminate my point.  It's easy to take it easy.

Week One:

I chose the Mediterranean Diet.  Vegetables, fish, chicken, pita bread, whole grain bread, brown rice, etc.  Stay away from highly processed foods like hot dogs, lunch meat, shredded cheese, etc.  I found a week's worth of recipes.  It only took about 3 days of not enough protein & carbs to realize that I needed to make an adjustment.  My body was not fueled enough for the 2-a-day workouts.  I went to a simple meal plan.  Baked fish, shrimp, or chicken paired with roasted veggies, either into a pita or with brown rice. For breakfast I’m doing avocado toast & eggs.  

Initially the hardest part was the water. Drinking a gallon of water takes planning. Another point of the program. You have to be intentional. 

On to Week Two!!!

It’s not called 75 Easy

"Your mind and focus are far more powerful than you could ever comprehend." - Andy Frisella

Here I go again.  Another challenge to stretch & strengthen myself. I had a great year last year as you know, but I’ve been coasting. I got discouraged after the marathon training pulled my pace down. I know… wah wah. (Not sure if that’s how you spell a baby cry) 

Anyway, I decided that I needed to refocus. I have dreams of running faster & further. In order to do that, I’m going to have to work on my head game. 

A couple of my friends had done 75 Hard. It intrigued me to say the least. After a month or so, I decided to go for it. I ordered the book.

What is it, you ask?  Well, it’s described as a 75-day mental toughness program. 

It’s rigid. No substitutions. No compromises. You complete the daily tasks no matter what excuse you may come up with. Sounds easy enough, right? Oh, and if you miss one task that day, you have to start over from Day 1.

Here’s a look at the tasks.

I finished the book & started the next day. The next several blog entries will be following my progress through the program. 

Thanks for tagging along!