CHALLENGE #1: The End is Near

JANUARY 6, 2008 - MARCH 1, 2008*

PHYSICAL GOALS:

    1. Increase endurance/running ability.

I'm not a runner.  I've never been a runner.  Running scares me more than the idea of a Post-Apocalyptic Nightmare Scenario, as my body is built for spitting out babies and toiling in the fields, not for a quick (on in my case, slow) getaway.  I know that there's a billion different ways to start running, but I've selected the Couch-to-5K Training Plan.  While I'm not a full-on couch potato, the physical component of The Post-Apocalyptic Workout is a wee bit daunting and I need to ensure that I don't injure myself from the get-go.

    2. Increase/build base of strength.

However, I am moronically excited about heading back into the gym to begin a proper weightlifting program.  I've been lifting off and on for nearly ten years now, although for the past year it's been mostly-off, which is why I'm going to start with a beginner's split routine from my friend Krista's Women's Weight Training site.  In a conversation we had via email, she mentioned that it might be useful to have some explosive-type moves, so I'm going to sub in a pause bench (see sidebar here) for the bench press and a push press(see variation #1 here) for the overhead shoulder press.  I'll start easing down the reps depending on how my body reacts to training and eventually transition toward a different split and introducing the different styles of deadlift.  But I'll explain further our next challenge.

    3. Increase sprints/biking.

Not only do I not own a bike, but my I can't afford one.  However, I do work at a spinning gym, and can spin for free, so my bike training will be inside on the spin bike.  I realize that it would be more useful to train on a road bike on, well, the actual road.  But there's going to be plenty in times during this project when I'm going to have to settle for what's practical over what's optimal.  C'est la post-apocalyptic vie. 

Of course, if the shit hits the fan, I'm sure we're gonna be minus a few million people, and some of them might be bike owners.

    4. Decrease food consumption.

I currently consume between 1700-2000 calories a day to maintain my weight (164 pounds as of 1/6/2008.)  I've been mulling over what my eating plan should be.  Less fresh food, since I won't be able to grow stuff right away?  Less processed food, although processed stuff will most likely survive the nuclear winter?  Less convenience food?  I haven't exactly figured this out yet, but I'm leaning toward not using my microwave, and eating only what theoretically I could grow/hunt/would survive the fallout.  I'm going to do the best I can, but again, practical may win over optimal.  Stay tuned.

SKILL GOALS:

    1. Basic First Aid/CPR (Infant, Child, Adult)

The local Los Angeles Red Cross offers multiple classes, most which fit within my budget.  Find the Red Cross nearest you by clicking here.

    2.  Veterinary First Aid

The Red Cross supposedly offers Pet First Aid classes, but every Southern California chapter on this list doesn't have any classes scheduled or is full.  If you've got any leads on affordable (~$50) Pet First Aid classes in the Los Angeles area, please email me. 

This is what I'd ideally like to do, and there's a training class in my area coming up at the end of March.  It's a wee bit out of my budget at the moment.  We'll see.

READING LIST:

    1. U.S. Army Survival Manual (free to download!)

    2. The First Aid Companion for Cats & Dogs

    3. The Zombie Survival Guide

 

BUDGET: $100

My training calendar (click for full size.):

*Challenge 1 ended a wee bit later - March 15, 2008 or thereabouts as my husband had an emergency appendectomy that posed complications, as explained here.  Click here for the First Challenge Wrap-Up.

DISCLAIMER:

If you choose to follow The Post-Apocalyptic Workout Plan, you do so at your own risk.  It's recommended that you see a Medical Professional before embarking on any sort of fitness endeavor, and only you know your body and what it's capable of doing.  I would recommend that you begin slowly, listen to your body, warm up and cool down and stretch adequately.  Because she says it better than I would, check out Mistress Krista's advice on using proper form and what to do in case of injury.   

I also take no responsibility should you follow the recommendations of any commenter of this site.  Just remember to be safe and use common sense.  Those are two things that are going to help you survive post-apocalypse, too.

Comments

[zozos]

Back in the day when I started running I used the couch to 5k plan. Worked like a charm.

[Fearsclave]

This is inspirational. I'm fairly well prepared for disasters (with respectable stockpiles of canned goods, Coleman gas, batteries, lightsticks, ammo and other sundries), but I have to confess that I am nowhere near the levels of physical fitness that the zombocalypse would call for.

I've been thinking of putting together a fitness routine based on calisthenics (I live in a rural area and don't have a gym handy) stretching and snowshoeing (with running in the warmer months) and I think you've kicked me over the edge into actually doing it.

FM 21-76 isn't bad, but not written with the civilian reader in mind and there is bound to be a lot of stuff that isn't suited to you area (if you're jogging in that outfit, you likely won't need the arctic stuff, for example). I'd recommend the SAS Survival Handbook (http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Handbook-Survive-Climate/dp/0060578793/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199677537&sr=8-2) and Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival (http://www.amazon.com/Browns-Wilderness-Survival-School-Handbooks/dp/0425105725/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199677615&sr=8-1) as being a little bit more accessible.

[the slackmistress]

@Fear: The SAS Survival Guide is already on the reading list. The reason I have the U.S. Army guide listed as one of the first to-reads is 'cause it's free and I'm poor.

Also, if you don't have a gym handy, check out Krista's "No Weights, No Problem"
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displayarticle.php?aid=63

As well as shovelglove:
http://www.shovelglove.com/

for some WT ideas!

And thanks!

[Tyler]

You know what's funny?

I kinda based my whole training methodology on post-apocalyptic survival.

I mean, not really, but sort of. I've got an athletics background, which translated itself into weight training in college, which created a sort of ideological paradox when I went vegan (machines, iron, instruments of civilization/industry, etc).

So anyway. I got into "natural" fitness training, which emphasizes bodyweight exercise, functional fitness and total-body wellness. It's pretty awesome.

I highly recommend www.monkeybargym.com (I'm an affiliate!) for great, practical, realistic exercises that will make you kick ass on zombies, looters, and malicious government roughnecks. I'd explain more about the philosophy/method behind natural fitness, but I've rambled too much already. If anybody wants to learn more, just give me a holler!

Get ready for the revolution!

Oh yeah, and learn some hand to hand (Kali, Panantuken, Hapkido, BJJ, etc) - they can't produce bullets when industry collapses!

[Jay B.]

I dunno, Tyler. I saw that Waterworld movie, and they seemed to have an ample, nay, unending supply of bullets. And oil. And speedboats. And children who couldn't swim even though they lived on a planet covered in water.

Hrm, I think I've strayed a bit from my original brief.

[Rubicon]

Best site on the net with preparedness info is:

http://www.standeyo.com/index1.html

Best single book on the topic (includes pet preparations and -- I kid you not -- space alien invasions)

Dare To Prepare 2nd edition
http://www.standeyo.com/Our_Books/DTP.html

[Jo of the Zombies]

Hey Karl, That's Rapture by Blondie

[The Razors Edge]

Have you tried any military rations for your diet? Depending on the type they also come with heat tabs to cook them without a fire.

[Comparer forfait]

I dunno, Tyler. I saw that Waterworld movie, and they seemed to have an ample, nay, unending supply of bullets. And oil. And speedboats. And children who couldn't swim even though they lived on a planet covered in water.