GoodDoug's Journey to the Core

[GoodDoug]

GoodDoug's Journey to the Core

 

GoodDoug awoke with a start. Something had been pulling on the half-ogre's toes. He sat up quickly, scattering a half dozen pixies hovering around his feet.

"Oh good, you're awake!" the pixies cried in unison.

GoodDoug was still unsure if he was awake or still dreaming when they flew up to eye level and started speaking, again in unison, "The Lady wishes to see you at your earliest convenience," showing as much solemnity as their impish little faces could muster.

The half-ogre turned and started pulling on clothes, he figured he was about to get his next assignment for the Ranger's Guild. The pixies giggled and told him he wouldn't need clothes to see The Lady, "We don't wear anything and we see her all the time!" They laughed uproariously at their own jokes.

 

Half an hour later, GoodDoug was walking into the grove where The Lady held court. He had heard stories of her, one claimed she was a human that was chosen to be the voice of Nature, and another claimed she had always been and always would be, and that she showed herself as a beautiful human woman. Either way, he knew he would be in the presence of a great being.

 

"GoodDoug, lay down your burdens and sit with me," The Lady was beautiful. Just looking at her gave a sense of calm.

"The Ranger's have said you could help me. There is a sickness at the core of this land. I need you to journey to the core and plant a very special seed." The Lady held out her hand, in the palm was a tiny seed.

GoodDoug nodded, he was afraid his brutish voice would somehow offend this being. The Lady smiled and glided over to the half-ogre. Grabbing his hand and placing the seed within it. While she was touching him, he could feel the life inside of the seed, sense the potential for what it could become with the right nurturing. When she released his hand, all that was left was a vague impression of what he had glimpsed.

 

"You must go into the Cave of Larkin and journey from their to the core of this land. It is a difficult journey and there are those who would hinder you," she paused for a moment, "When you reach the core, you must nurture and protect the seed until it sprouts and can survive on its own."

 

GoodDoug knew he would have to ask at the Ranger's Guild to find out where the Cave of Larkin was located. He had some experience with growing things, but hadn't done it in a while. "Why me, Lady?" he finally asked.

"Because the land needs you, and you need this task. You have strength, but need more. You are nurturing, but need to learn how to be more nurturing. The land needs your commitment, and you need to reaffirm your own commitments to yourself. That is why you were chosen."

 

GoodDoug held the seed gingerly, looked The Lady directly in the eyes and said, "It will be done as you ask, Lady."

 

Core Routines

My first goal is to make sure that I keep up with the routines I started last challenge. That means running and lifting every week. I won't be as exact on how far or how many pounds, but I want to make sure I run two days a week and lift once a week minimum, and average over 100g protein per day (as measured each week). No making up next week for missing a workout this week. I'm hoping to follow my routines from last challenge to keep ahead on this one. Str +1 Dex +1 Con +1

 

Core Strength

I want my core to be stronger. I will do a series of bodyweight exercises and poses to increase my core strength. First, every day I will do at least one minute of planks and 5 pull-ups. Two days a week, I will do some sort of crow pose and headstand. Once a week, I will do yoga for 15 minutes for strength and flexibility. The everyday exercises will be done as soon as I get up in the morning. The balance exercises will be done on run days at a minimum and I will do the yoga one of the weekend days. I'm worried this is too much to keep track of, but I'm hoping that knowing I need to do the weekly checkin here will motivate me to do the yoga and inverted poses. Str +3 Dex +2

 

 

Fueling the Core

In the beginning of the year challenge, I started eating primal. I have been mostly doing that, but have drifted away from it lately. I can feel the difference and so I want to get back into it. I will eat according to the Primal Blueprint. That means that except for special circumstances, I will avoid processed sugar, and all grains and legumes. I've done it before, so I know I can do it this time, no excuses. Sta +2 Wis +2

 

Nurturing the Core

Taking inspiration from Katinka's challenge last time, my life goal will be to do better in the garden this year. Last year was our first year at our new place and I really dropped the ball with the garden. I planted a bunch of stuff and just didn't weed and water like I should have. For this challenge, I will tend to my garden at least 4 days per week. I plan to do this by heading outside when I let the dog out (after my planks and pull-ups) and watering or weeding the garden. Wis +2 Cha +1

[GoodDoug]

New Goal: Check for typo's in the title before hitting save

[JessOfAllTrades]

Happy to see I'm not the only one going back to full primal after some deviation. Here's to hoping for better energy and moods!

 

Best of luck! It's awesome to see you're not only planning to maintain your habits, but adding new areas to improve. And tis the season for gardening, so enjoy!

[Wirilome]

Following!!

[Kishi]

Primal is the way to eat, man! I'm really sure that it's all but cured me of my allergies to all the damned pollen that we get here in the south. It's worth doing!

[Aeryn]

Love it - I need to spend some time in my yard, too! I did a couple hours of bushwhacking in the back yard this weekend, made one ivy bed look like it's there on purpose instead of a weed-fest, but lots more to do. I'm cheering for you!

[missrackl]

Yay, I found your thread!  

 

Nice goals.  I like how you made the routine from last time into its own goal so you could grow your routine from there with new ones. And I like how the garden and yoga goals have a routine stamped on them already.  It seems like that would make it easy to make those habits stick. 

[AquaNat]

Brilliant goals. Can wait to hear how your quest continues!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following.  I like your goals and look forward to hearing how they go as well as reading the stories. I loved the T-Rex stalking and assassination from last time.

[Kiaise]

I love the gardening goal! I am seriously addressing my yard this year for the first time in... far too long. I'm thinking of it as cross-training.

[GoodDoug]

Super-Athena to the rescue! *cape waves in the breeze*

 

Fixed it for you, but you'll need to update your links to your thread, to reflect the new URL.

Thanks Athena!

[GoodDoug]

Quick update:

Lifted yesterday, deadlifts and cleans and squats.

Season 2 of Zombies Run came out so I did a 3.5 mile run today. Excited to be doing missions again, but a little weirded out by the first mission. I'm sure it will get better.

 

Did planks and pull-ups yesterday and today, and did crow and headstand yesterday, did a little gardening today, so I'm on track. Here's to keeping momentum.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Cool, keep up the good work! Deadlifts are awesome and so are people who do them!

[GoodDoug]

Mini-update:

I've been 100% on planks and pushups. Also did more crow and headstand yesterday, so I've gotten three days of that in this week. My normal workout routine has had to go by the wayside (wife had to leave town, so I'm Mr Mom this week) but have gotten in more running. I've run Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week. No yoga yet, but I have been on the garden for at least a few minutes most days.

Primal eating has been almost good. Almost. Being thrown out of routine is making it harder for me to comply and easier for me to rationalize cheating. Its an area I'll need to work a little harder on.

Not a bad start.

[Aeryn]

Niiiice! Way to keep on even with added responsibilities. Lots of good stuff in there - planks and crow and headstand and running! And you can defeat the Primal goal, too. Keep it up!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

You are a ranger, and you are adapting, do the best you can, like you have been doing, and don't let life win!

[Kishi]

Adaptation is never easy. But as you live and re-live through the circumstances, you'll find ways to make the adaptations stick. Shake off the bad Primal and focus on being an awesome dad.

[missrackl]

Adaptation is never easy. But as you live and re-live through the circumstances, you'll find ways to make the adaptations stick. Shake off the bad Primal and focus on being an awesome dad.

^^ This.  Yes. 

 

How's it been going being Mr. Dad?  Have you tried doing squats with your kiddos on your feet?  My dad used to do this all the time when I was growing up, and I had a blast. 

[GoodDoug]

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the rebellion. I have been mostly doing well on my goals. I'll update more later, but wanted to let everyone know I'm still here and doing ok.

[Eirlys]

Glad you're okay Doug & hope your goals continue to go well.

[Kishi]

Sounds like you're making the right choice, pursuing your goals more strongly versus hanging out online. Nothing wrong with that.

[GoodDoug]

GoodDoug the half-ogre wandered into the map room. He found a wizened old gnome sitting at a desk with many sheets of parchment in front of him.

"Ahem, pardon me, but could I bother you for directions to the Cave of Larkin?"

The gnome looked up, "That's a tall order! No one's been to the Cave of Lrkin in years, and the maps all disagree on where exactly it is. Some put it in the Sapto Hills, others near the town of Watson. Did the Lady tell you to go there?" 

GoodDoug nodded the affirmative. This was already starting out to be more difficult than he anticipated.

"Well, then you'll need this," the gnome said digging into a box behind him and grabbing out a strangely rectangular gem, "This is a Zheep Yus, I can tune it to find the Cave for you." The gnome pulled out some maps from another shelf and began intoning strange words into the gem.

"Latitinudus tree entay says. Lontinuns sentay ventay oon."

He handed the gem to GoodDoug, "Now take care of that. It will get you there and back again, but it won't work when you are in the cave itself. Once in the cave it will be useless." The gnome paused and then said, in a very serious tone, "Don't lose that. We don't have many left and they're really useful for the rangers."

GoodDoug thanked the gnome and assured him he would return the gem intact.

 

Two days later, GoodDoug was following the pull of the gem, having become familiar with its guidance. A couple of times, it had tried to lead him into a lake, and once it had led him into a nest of angry goblins. But it seemed to be leading him in mostly the same direction the whole time.

Soon, he saw that the gem was leading him to a cliff. Once he go to the cliff, it stopped pulling. He tried looking around but saw no cave. GoodDoug sat down and tried to think. This was a good place for a cave, but he couldn't see one here. He calmed hi mind, as he had learned as an Adventurer in the past. He pulled the seed the Lady had given him from it's small pouch around his neck and concentrated, he could feel the land dying and hoped the seed could give him insight of where to go next. He looked around, and noticed a section near the cliff that had no scrub near it. He moved towards that and allowed his senses to feel what was there. There was a sickness in the air here. Looking closer, he saw a small hole in the wall, once he saw it he knew, this was where the sickness was coming from.

As he bent down to examine the small hole, he was amazed to see that it was much bigger than it had looked from even a few feet away. He could just barely fit his body inside if he dared.

He carefully put the sed back into his pouch and squeezed himself into the hole, unaware of the eyes watching him.

 

Week one recap:

Sorry its so late, but it's been a tough couple of weeks. I had to travel out of town. And as soon as I got back, my wife got word that her grandmother had passed away and she ended up going out of town for 5 days. I had to do full time work, and get the kids to and from school and soccer practices. It was all doable, and I mostly kept up with my challenges (mostly) but it really took a toll on me.

 

Core routines:

I've continued lifting and running. Had to shake up my normal workout schedule to match the circumstances, but I was able to do it. A for the Week

 

Core Strength

I've been really good about doing a plank and 5 pull-ups first thing after I wake up every morning. I've also done Crow and headstands three times this week (was aiming for twice) and was able to get yoga in when I was supposed to be working and the kids were all at school. I've really noticed that my crow and headstands are getting better. A for the week

 

Fueling the Core

This is where I didn't do so hot. I decided to spend my willpower points on keeping up with the kids and work and not on food. It's not that I did terribly, its just that I didn't do as well as I would have liked. I'm not going to beat myself up about it, but it does need to change. C for the week as it wasn't terrible but there were many non-primal slip ups.

 

Nurturing the Core

This one was difficult with the wonky schedule. But I was able to get out in the garden and water most days and the kids and I spent Sunday doing some much needed weeding. A for the week

 

Overall, not bad for such a crazy life!

[Kishi]

Honest, you haven't done badly at all. I mean, I know how difficult that can be sometimes, dealing with this and that and the other. Kids and death in the family take it to a whole new level. All things considered, it looks like you handled yourself magnificently.

[GoodDoug]

GoodDoug crouched in the hole he had just crawled through and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He could hear some dripping water and a few tiny scuttling feet. Probably lizards, he thought, smiling at the thought of those little guys as compared with the Tyrannosaurs he had hunted in his last quest.

 

He started to see the outlines of steps leading slightly down, he also noticed the faintest trace of light coming from that direction. GoodDoug assumed that was the right direction, as the Zheep Yus gem wasn't giving him any information now that he was underground.

 

Choosing stealth over eyesight, GoodDoug headed down the stairs, hoping the light he could barely see ahead would be enough for him. He didn't notice that the hole had closed behind him, but not before a dark shape crawled in behind him.

 

GoodDoug continued forward, taking note of the increasing light ahead. The light was a light blue glow that started as a barely noticeable lightening and increased into a soft light. In this new light the half-ogre saw some details about the cave. It looked mostly natural, except for the rough steps cut into the floor to make traveling down easier. He was starting to make out what looked like really large slime trails. 

 

Soon, GoodDoug saw the source of the light, what looked like luminescent fungus lined the ceiling of the cave. It gave off a pale blue light. The slime trails left large swaths of the ceilings bare, it seemed whatever made those trails was eating the fungus.

 

GoodDoug turned a corner to find a grisly scene, two very large snails looked to be consuming a freshly slain goblin. The shells of the snails seemed to come up to just his shoulder height. GoodDoug didn't think the snails had necessarily killed the goblin, but he wasn't ruling it out. He drew his sword and fell upon the snail closest to him. He made one stab into it's side, noting how slowly the creature turned. Which meant he wasn't prepared for what happened next, once the head of the snail was level with him, a sharp tongue lashed out with surprising speed, striking him in the shoulder, piercing the flesh and stinging like crazy. GoodDoug struck out with his sword severing most of the head of the snail. He turned to face the other snail, but it was backing away from him. GoodDoug let it go, he was in no shape to fight this creature and he wanted to piece together what had happened here.

 

Once he had calmed down, he examined the scene more closely. The goblin had been killed by a piercing jab to the top of its head. It looked like it had been fairly sick prior to the attack, but after looking at the ceiling and everything it was obvious that one of the snails had hidden on the ceiling and surprised the goblin as it passed underneath. GoodDoug decided to keep an eye out on the ceiling while he was down here.

 

Week two recap:

Again, a little late. This week wasn't so bad. I've gotten better about eating right and have mostly kept up with exercises.

 

Core routines:

I'm still lifting and running. Again had to shake up the routine a little, but was able to run and lift pretty well. A for the Week

 

Core Strength:

Every morning when I wake up, I go to the bathroom, weigh myself, do at least 5 pull-ups and at least one minute of plank. It is becoming routine, and soon it will become habit. I've also been doing crow and headstands regularly, I got three of each for the week. I wasn't able to get to yoga, so I'd like to work on that for this week, but I did start some meditation exercises for the mini challenge. B+ for the week

 

Fueling the Core:

Much better this week. Still not perfect, but I'm not sweating it too much. It feels better to be eating right again. A- for the week

 

Nurturing the Core:

Again, this was difficult, but I managed to get some quality time in this week. I need to figure out how to get just a little more time to pull some more weeds in the garden and then start planting some of the things that need to get in the ground now. A- for the week

 

 So, overall, I'm doing pretty well. Things are getting hard because work is demanding a lot more of me right now. But I'm trying really hard to not let it derail me. I'd like to spend more time on the forums, but I'd rather spend my limited time completing my challenges!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Well done, I love your narratives, and I agree with focusing more on working out than on internetting.