The Challenge of These "Challenges"

Alright… so what is the re-brand? Personally, I just don’t do too well if I’m not actively working towards something. I flounder around if I don’t have structure so thank god for the Apple Watch that tells me when to stand and breath. Anyways, as all three of you know, I was signed up for a triathlon that was supposed to be on Halloween but was cancelled due to the pandemic. The training wasn’t wasted by any means though, I took plenty of shirtless “thirst trap” pics and received plenty of DMs that pretty much amounted to “talking” for 2.5 weeks, and then me… ghosting (naturally). Just adding to the narrative of “Men Are TRASH.” You’re welcome!! Anyways, since my last post, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of the wonderful world of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency (like every douche bag does). Took a few courses on day trading. Completely neglected my studying to become a personal trainer. Paid off my student loans and became debt free and have a credit score of 805. And finally got a haircut! It was a sad day but I needed to cut the quarantine locks.

As you can see, I tend to get interested in something for a few weeks, only to never return to it, yet I pretend to be an expert after my brief studying. A jack of all trades, master of none - if you will. I need some structure. Life was good when I had my stupid pull-up challenge. I knew exactly what my plan was for the foreseeable future, which was literally just pull-ups. Such a simple era of the pandemic, I miss it dearly.

So with that being said, what should my new challenge be? What is something that I can get slightly better than mediocre at? That’s literally all I care about, just being slightly better than the average person. Feel free to reach out to me directly or drop a comment (LMAOOO no one will read this, the comment section is going to be full of cobwebs)

In Need of a New Challenge

Since my triathlon was cancelled, I tried to keep the motivation to train like I would’ve still raced on October 31. That literally stopped after the first workout when I received the news. I feel like a broken record talking about my cancelled triathlon. Starting to sound like Uncle Rico throwing the pigskin. However, I take action through incentives and I need a new challenge. This will be more of a serious post as I’m just spitballing some ideas, but here’s where I’m at. I currently run 4 miles at the least, every other day. If the legs are in pain, I’ll ride the spin bike for an hour. I’ve significantly increased my deadlift/squat/and bench, and I’m happy at the rate of progression. Some asshole told me “you know you can still run a triathlon even though it was canceled.” Shut up Conner, I’m aware of that… but it’s not the same. If anyone has any idea which direction I should go, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Anyways, here’s a physique update to keep the douchebaggery theme.

Hey… It’s Been A While

Today was supposed to be the day of my race. Everything is cancelled this year… fun, Ellen DeGenerous… and also… my triathlon. I woke up this morning realizing how NOT in shape I would be for a 1 mi. swim, 25 mi. bike ride, and 6.2 mi. run today, but that’s okay. I switched back to getting caked-up instead of working on my endurance. What is “running far” going to do for me? Anyways, here’s some progress pics.

Evan Boydstun looking to the left like he’s on the cover of a Christian Rock Band album cover.

Evan Boydstun looking to the left like he’s on the cover of a Christian Rock Band album cover.

Current Specs:

Weight: 185lbs (after my morning coffee poo) up about 6 lbs since the start of quarantine.

Hair: needs a trim.

Tan: still got it.

Shadows and shading: *chef’s kiss*

Update

It’s a sad day here in the desert. To give some context, I was lost and lonely after I finished my 100K pull-ups. I had no purpose in life. Absolutely nothing to live for except maintaining these washboard abs. I was in a funk, simple as that. I realized that I’m inherently competitive with myself in anything I do and I needed some sort of competition based event to get me out of this lull. I figured: I know how to swim, I know how to ride a bike, and I know how to run, why not sign up for a triathlon in 8 weeks? Well, that’s exactly what I did, and I’ve been training for it every day for the last 2 weeks. I regret to inform all 3 of you that read this blog, that the triathlon has been cancelled. Not ideal, even though the competitors are most likely the pinnacle of health, but we have to adhere to the rules and regulations. No worries, I’m just going to keep up my training because I like looking like an athlete for no damn reason.

Evan Boydstun with his signature stupid smirk.

Evan Boydstun with his signature stupid smirk.

2mi Is The Standard.

Alright so it’s been almost 3 weeks since I’ve finished my challenge. Not gunna lie, I was just a lost soul swimmin in a fish bowl the first few days because I wanted my body to heal. I only last 2 days of no pull-ups but now I’m not breaking my back just to do 500 in a day. I have a new program I’m doing that is a combination of weight-lifting and endurance training. So I run 2 miles a day at the minimum. Yesterday though, I ran 2 miles with a 20lbs weight vest, but more on that later.

Evan Boydstun with that stupid smirk

Evan Boydstun with that stupid smirk

Epilogue

…10 days later, I’ve lost all my gains.
jk

Evan Boydstun

Evan Boydstun

This picture looks phenomenal in black and white too (see below)

Evan Boydstun

Evan Boydstun

In all seriousness though, I feel extremely liberated now that I don’t have to do 500 pull-ups every day. Yeah yeah I know I didn’t have to do that EVERY day but you don’t understand what this did to my head. The whole thing turned in to a game. It started with 300 pull-ups a day, split between two sessions. Then I was able to do 300 in an hour. Then I kicked it up to 400 in two sessions, and then 500 (300 during lunch, 200 after work). Eventually I got to the point where I could do 500 pull-ups in 40 minutes flat.
Also, since I posted my thirst trap Instagram last week, I’ve had about 40 different people (seriously I appreciate it) reach out to me and ask me about my workout where I jokingly would say “500 pull-ups and a rotisserie chicken. Every. Single. Day.” Which is an absolute lie. Along with the 100,000 pull-ups, there was about 100,000 push-ups to go along with them. At least 10,000 handstand push-ups. Also, if you remember, I built a barbell that I used for everything else. Also also, add in a hike every weekend. Also also ALSO, When I came back to the desert in May, my dad had a full gym ready for me. So add in a few thousand squats and deadlifts. Basically, 100,000 pull-ups help… but I didn’t JUST do that. Sorry, I’m a fraud.

100K

I figured I’d go out with style and knock out 2 goals at once. I ended up doing 1,000 pull-ups today, which put me at my goal of 100,000 on the year. Now I know what you’re all thinking (all three of you that read this), “THeReS No wAy yOu CaN dO 1000 PuLl uPs iN a DaY!!” Fine, the last 100 reps were.. questionable but come on, give me a break, most people can’t even do one pull up! Regardless, I have the rest of the year to knock out the last 100 pull-ups BUT let’s take a gander at how stupid my back looks.

Evan Boydstun

Evan Boydstun

This is an 8.5 month difference. December 14th 2019 to current day. I can’t stop laughing at how dumb my back looks lol, I love it! Since this is the 100K post, I feel like I need to be a bit more sentimental so let’s run through the last few months:

When I embarked on this audacious/ludicrous goal, there were so many arm-chair quarter backs that all said it can’t be done. Just because YOU can’t do it, doesn’t mean I can’t. Losers.

I was only able to do about 300 pull-ups a day and I would have to split them up with 150 in the morning and 150 at night.

Then the Pandemic hit in March (arguably the best thing to ever happen to my body and liver).

To keep my sanity, all I did was work out. I very conveniently only had a pull-up bar. My professional life was in shambles, so to overcompensate and feel like I had a sense of control, I went OVERBOARD on the personal development. So far, this year I’ve:

  • Read 19 Books

  • got in to running, hit a 6:07 mile time, while I’m a ball of meat.

  • Ran a 5K in 24 minutes (give me a break, this is good for me)

  • Ran a spartan race

  • Kicked a nicotine addiction cold turkey (it was easy)

  • got a puppy (bby gurl, Denali)

  • Learned the Harmonica and Banjo (sorta… not really)

  • Started writing music again

  • Haven’t gotten a haircut since February

  • Did 1000 pull-ups in a day (today)

  • Signed up for health insurance (big deal)

  • raised my credit score to 762, not impressive but still going up since my only debt left are student loans

  • Did yoga twice, probably never going to do it again

  • Haven’t gotten covid (I think I haven’t?)

  • Gained 3 lbs. so I’m a consistent 180lbs. even in the morning after my coffee poo.

And many many more to come.

So…. everything I listed… none of it matters. Yes, I feel like I’ve been able to accomplish a ton of things since we started working from home, but my favorite part about this time is the personal development.

Let’s Talk About Angles

Total Pull-Up Count: 96,500

Something important I need to tell all 3 of my readers about is the power of angles. Lighting is something I’ve discussed before but if the light isn’t hitting you at the right angle, then what’s the point. What I’m about to show you is the best angle to pose in. It really makes your chest pop. It truly is superior. Give it a shot and let me know how many nutrition companies reach out to you to rep their brand after you pose like this.

Evan Boydstun

Evan Boydstun

95K

So close. And my fingers hurt so damn bad. Am I gripping the pull-up bar too tight out of sheer anger at myself for coming up with such a stupid yet audacious goal? I hate how when I commit to something, I have to go through with it (sounds like a “so what’s your greatest weakness?” interview answer). Anyways, I was going through some pictures and saw I had a vain back picture from December 13th 2019.

Evan Boydstun

Evan Boydstun

A few things to note in this 7.5 month difference:

  1. I’m perma-tan with WFH.

  2. I haven’t gotten a haircut since February.

  3. I wear a gold chain, thank you Jaxxon.

  4. I eat a rotisserie chicken every day instead of 15 chicken wings.

  5. And self timer is still my best friend apparently.

94,000

So a few days ago I actually woke up and was unable to close my hands to make a fist. My fingers are swollen at the joints and are in an incredible amount of pain. I had to adapt. I need to make my pull-up bar thiccer so I’m not gripping too tight. I wrap my hands so they’re thiccer than a snicker and I haven’t had any trouble since. They’re still in pain but not as bad and they’re getting better every day.