Monday, September 23, 2013

The Emperor's New Groove

So I am easing back into this whole school thing, and I think I am assimilating myself quite well. And no, I do not consider myself an Emperor... I am simply a Lord.
I got a 96 on my first Econ test in 2 and a half years, and my History Professor conceded a debate to me before I even opened my mouth (but I won with my argument anyway, stating the US did not win the Cold War). I have gotten used to take home tests, something that I don't think I had ever had before. I am getting in a good amount of reading, bouncing between the Book of Mormon and The Miracle of Forgiveness (which has turned out to be an all around awesome book, and I have quoted from both in my Comparative Religions class). I have a new work out partner for at least 2 nights a week, a breakfast buddy, and am starting 6am work outs with some friends Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I am branching out socially, and meeting new people... real ones, even! I have been streaming Suits through USA Network and Sleepy Hollow from Fox. My football team is 6-2 after a 40-17 victory this weekend (the offense finally put up more than 21 points, tacking on 33 with a defensive fumble recovery for a touchdown). I am eating healthier than I was this summer (turns out that cottage cheese is a pretty good substitute for salad dressing. I eat about 15 such salads a week). I've lost 10 pounds this year. The terrible blisters in my feet are almost wholly healed. I attended church in Beloit, then Stake Conference in Green Bay (new Stake President), and then was back in Sheboygan in consecutive weeks. I have had fun conversations with friends about haircuts, babies, cars, fantasy football, real football, running, and relationships. My car battery died, and after getting a jump the car works a little better (Bam-Bam now dings at me to let me know that my door is open. Fancy that). I watched Atlantis and some of the characters reminded me of a couple friends (hope no one is offended). I was compared to Clark Kent, and then Jerry Seinfeld at a dance. I have found a new person to quote random movie lines with :) I just now found out that the school library does not have any Nicholas Sparks books in their inventory :( I met two freshman who don't watch movies or read >:( I dreamed I got locked out of my room >:() 
To make a long story short (too late), I think life is going pretty darn well as of late.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Football Fantasy

I'm afraid I may be that guy. I am trying to view every game through the minute statistics that govern the games that millions of Americans play every week. Fantasy football has driven our culture to think it is a failure for a QB to throw for fewer than 300 yards and 3 TDs because we wont get the 30 points we're hoping for. If a running back cruises for 98 yards, we throw a fit because we need the bonus points for those next 2 yards putting them over 100. I am currently sitting in front of a computer hoping that Vernon Davis gets at least 15.93 points more than Russell Wilson (who I am also trying to trade for) while bemoaning Trent Richardson getting less than 8 points the same weekend my opponent had three pass catchers combine for a smidge over 83 points. Do I need to get angry? Do I have any control over this? Nope. Do I need to get angry that the Packers middle of the field is horrible porous? Can't do anything about it, so why get angry? Can I learn to catch a football better? YES! Can I stretch my hamstrings so they stop giving me fits, develop the quad muscles needed for quick start-stop explosive power? Indeed I can. Can I I work on developing quicker feet, leading to faster physical reaction to a hole in the defensive line? Absolutely. And yet, I continue to sit, changing tabs every minute or so hoping that by keeping myself locked into the game, I will somehow help bring my team victory. I have no impact on their lives, though. I do have a book to read, though. Five actually (I am adding Atlas Shrugged to the list because I want to read it after the conclusion of my research paper). And a couple text books and articles on the Cold War. That impacts my life. Let's give that a try. So here is the deal. I am posting this blog, then closing out of my fantasy tab, walking away from the computer, and spending the night reading.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Research and Running

I have found that it is very difficult to read a book while running. I did it on my first cross country course my freshman year of high school, but I can't think of a specific time since then. For that matter, it is rather difficult to read most anything while exhausting oneself by way of a sweat pouring workout. This is not good news for the masses of former high school standout athletes who are no longer a part of well structured and organized teams. They are now in charge of their own personal scheduling, and for the large portion of this group that goes to college, school work is more pressing than getting in the 20 minutes in the gym. And, let's face it, school work isn't very high on the list either. For me, I was very slack in getting in my work outs my first two weeks being back at college. This was particularly bad news given that I had signed up for a Tough Mudder to take place at the end of the second week of classes. I am pleased to announce that it was a rousing success, as far as I am concerned, and very much so look forward to doing more in the future. However, I noticed significant degradation in a number of measurable categories of fitness. So what can be done about the lack of time most people seem to feel they have?
I for one was left to choose between reading the text books for my class discussions, compiling a research bibliography, reviewing economics journals, deciphering the theological rants of staunch Jews and Christians, and reviewing the course syllabus for a new instructor and giving my advice on the challenges and strong points of the layout of the class versus trying to find a convenient time and place to soak the floor in sweat. By doing the former, I get to spend more time on the ever distracting internet. I get to stream Gaelic Storm via youtube. I get to check my fantasy teams and update my monotonous life on facebook and blogspot. I can hop over to the little 'bistro' they have in the library and get my snack on. The options seem much more varied by going to 'study' as opposed to going to work out.
The best solution I have found is a workout based around breakfast. For me, I do not have motivation to get up until 7 am because the cafeteria doesn't open up until 715. However, when I have someone to workout with, my determination to rise early increases substantially. And then it simply depends on your desires; strength gain? 3x3-5 on the bench (or variations thereof) and the same on the deadlift. Total workout is 25 minutes. For more toning and weight loss, a 3 set circuit working predominantly with kettlebells and dumbbells. Focusing solely on cardio? Bike sprints (30secs sprint, 90 seconds relaxed pace. 8 reps), or treadmill tabata (9-11mph, 10-15 degree incline. Run 20 seconds, then hop onto the side rails for 10 seconds. 10-20 reps). Total time is usually not more than 20 minutes. Full body training for most any activity? Pick 3 heavy weight exercises, 3 body weight, and three high rep variations of workouts, and then cycle through each one 2 or 3 times with a sprint between each exercise. 20 minutes.
So, for me, this begs the question; anyone busy mornings?