Hey fitness freaks....and wannabe freaks. Time for the November installment of the fitness challenge. To try to be more inclusive and get more participation, I'm going to open things up in a new way.

The point of this challenge is to set a goal for yourself for the month of November. A fitness goal which will be challenging.....slightly more than you know you can do, more than you did last month. The goal needs to be a concrete measurable goal. The goal can be miles run, walked, biked, swam, ellipted or paddled....or a combination of all of them. But it can also be a goal of hours of exercise. 30 hours of exercise in a month is a challenging goal for many people. It can also be a specific exercise if you prefer....like 3000 squats and 1000 push-ups. Whatever it is, make it challenging, not easy. As I always say, growth and comfort cannot coexist. You want to be slightly uncomfortable. The goal should challenge you...make you slightly nervous as to whether or not you can reach it. Then....GO FOR IT!

Introduce yourself and spell out your goal for the month. Then come back here everyday or as often as you can and update the group as to your current progress toward your goal. Whether or not you make your goal is not the point. The point is to push yourself just a little further than you thought you could go.

I'll start. I'm only 4 weeks post op from my TT so not back to 100% yet, but I anticipate getting stronger as the month goes on. So my goal for November is to walk/run 60 miles. That's double what I'm going to do this month, so a challenging goal. Wish me luck.

Please join in and get moving.

It's full release but to "ease back into things."

I'm already anticipating having the cardiovascular function of day old bread.

LOL, nah, you will be good. It's not like you sat still this entire time...you might feel a bit rusty but a day or two of that and you will start feeling like the old Bean.

$%^# it got cold outside!! The wife and I just finished out nightly walk and it was cooooold! Total for the day is 4.15 miles and my month total is now 61.4 miles.

We are both thinking about trying this plank challenge thing. This should be interesting, who is gonna help me off the floor?

As of yesterday I'm up to 31.5 miles walked. It will be slow the next week due to surgery last Thursday. I'm still so excited to be doing a challenge!

It's been going slow but I am up to 37 miles so far!!

I'm dragging, flaring, hurting so waaaay behind. Miles MTD : 20 boo!

MTD: 21.75. I'm going so slow! How am I going to make 60 miles this month? Ugh

Urgh, sick kiddo kept me away from MMA I've been loving it! I need more of it!

Had to run in the cold and wind tonight, but stopped halfway at Starbucks for a hot tea.

Run: 16 (Goal 40)

Walk: 38 (Goal 50)

Bike: 6 (Goal 30)

Total: 60 (Goal 120)

Hi guys, it is cold here in NY.. brrrrrrrr..... I had to force myself to go use the treadmill today(I get up at 5:30 so it's cold and dark!) got in another 4 miles, then was off to the gym after work to meet up with my sadist, oops, I meant trainer! for another strength training session, so I think this is were i am now- MTD 42miles, 4 sessions

.

Checking in for the week. Sticking to my 5 days a week workout pledge. Two days of strength training and two days of C25K so far. Will get in at least another strength session this week.

We are both thinking about trying this plank challenge thing. This should be interesting, who is gonna help me off the floor?

I can't believe how much I'm getting into the plank challenge! 13 days ago when I started, I could barely hold it for 20-25 seconds. Today I managed 90 seconds!!!! The continual & rapid improvement I can see over just a couple of days is very motivating to me. The other day I saw a 16 year old girl I know & I mentioned planking to her. She immediately challenged me to a plank-off....and I beat her!! I ain't even gonna pretend to feel bad about it, either!

I got in a 3.30 mile walk/jog last night for a total of 40.37 miles, this morning I am awake way to early!!

These photos are 9 1/2 months post op!

I got in a 3.30 mile walk/jog last night for a total of 40.37 miles, this morning I am awake way to early!! These photos are 9 1/2 months post op!

Omg you're tiny! Looking great. Long and lean.

MTD: 21.75. I'm going so slow! How am I going to make 60 miles this month? Ugh

gamegirl,

I specifically remember you saying if you were in pain, you were going to take it easy. If you don't make 60, it's not the end of the world. You're not going to turn into a pumpking or something horrible. I'd rather you do what you can and not hurt yourself. If you hurt yourself, you'll be out even longer.

Exercise hard when you are up to it. Listen to your body. There are many tomorrows. If you go the full 60, you have 38.25 miles to complete with 17 days left as of the 14th. You will need to average 2 1/4 miles a day. I did the math for you this time. I think you have done enough math for others in your other post. :-)

gamegirl, I specifically remember you saying if you were in pain, you were going to take it easy. If you don't make 60, it's not the end of the world. You're not going to turn into a pumpking or something horrible. I'd rather you do what you can and not hurt yourself. If you hurt yourself, you'll be out even longer. Exercise hard when you are up to it. Listen to your body. There are many tomorrows. If you go the full 60, you have 38.25 miles to complete with 17 days left as of the 14th. You will need to average 2 1/4 miles a day. I did the math for you this time. I think you have done enough math for others in your other post. :-)

Hah! Thank you. You made me smile, and feel cared for this morning. I feel hugged! You're right, I did say that didn't i? Hoist by my own petard! Who knew someone would actually read my posts?

This has always been my problem in the past. I overdo if, then I hurt so I can't do anything at all, and then when I can...you guessed it, I over do it. Maybe I should try something different this time....

I took 4 days off from training (did some work training instead on a business trip) and actually felt much better yesterday before starting the workout. I could have worked out at the hotel or even paid 20 for individual cross fit sessions at a box. However, I did neither. The break from constant pushing of my body over last several months felt good. I was getting a little discouraged from the constant daily aches in my body and constant concern about overtraining, especially since Mid October.

Yesterday, I came back strong after arriving home from airport, felt rested, juiced up and ready to go feed my cross addiction (not entirely kidding on that one):

Back Squat

5 @ 70-75%

3 @ 80-85%

1 @ 90-95%

1 @ 90-95%

1 @ 90-95%

then

For Time:

1 Mile Run - 5:45

1 Minute Rest

50 Thrusters 95#/65# - crap, these were hard after the fast run

1 Minute Rest

1 Mile Run - 6:20

Ran the 1st mile @ 5:45 and the 2nd mile @ 6:20. Not my fastest times, but will say this: the first mile felt great and hardly felt like work, the 2nd mile was OK but my breathing was really labored on the last 600 m. I ended up on the mat huffing and puffing when I finished and it took a good 10 m for my hr to drop (banging in my chest hard). Weird thing is the back of my head really was throbbing hard, like I was going to stroke out or something. Lol. Then I was sneezing all the way home like I was fighting off some immunity thing. I guess my body got a little shock treatment after taking 4 days off.

Today is going to be a lot of fast rowing. We shall see how it works out!