Way of the Warrior, Terrormortus' second Challenge

[terrormortus]

So the title is a little misleading. This challenge isn't meant to set me up for the Warrior guild (I'm leaning toward Monk currently) but rather the general skills and fitness that a true warrior needs. 

 

So on that note this challenge is all based on skills I personally think every great soldier, fighter, warrior, etc needs. Feel free to offer any advise.

 

How the set up is going to work!

I like to explain things so here is how each challenge is formatted; they’re pretty simple so you can skip if you like.

 

Goal: Pretty Simple here, this gives you the title of the goal and what it actually entails.

Why it is Important to a Warrior: Why it matches with the theme of the Challenge.

Inspiration: Basically what gave me the idea. I’ll try to add articles that I read or some such as anyone reading this might be curious.

How I will do it: This is the actual plan, how I’m going to go about meeting the challenge and such. Very important this.

How it will be graded: Pretty obvious.

The Reward: So while this section also includes a stat raise, it’s going to include how this goal benefits me as well. Sensei Small (my aikido instructor) told me something I like the other day. Basically he was talking about Ukemi, and how you did certain things not because they told you to but because they protected you. I took it a step further here; I’m not doing this because someone is telling me to but because it will give me something. Probably not the best explanation, but hopefully you get the idea.

 

 

Now the Actual Goals!

Goal 1: March! (Walk at least 75 miles in 6 weeks)

Why it is Important to a Warrior: It doesn’t matter if you’re ten times as strong as you opponent if you can’t walk the distance to face him.

Inspiration: This one was pulled from an article that I was reading about the benefits of walking (link for those who are interested). I liked the test that Theodore Roosevelt proposed to his officers at the time, walk 50 miles or ride 100 miles in 3 days. While I don’t have that option (okay I do but this is a six-week challenge) I love the idea. So my goal is to walk a total of 75 miles by the end of the challenge.

How I will do it: Well I already go on walks every so often, so this one shouldn’t be too hard to achieve. My problem is a way to measure the distance. A pedometer would be awesome but I am broke for the moment. So instead I shall use a tool that I already have access to, Zombies Run!. Yep going to go on at least one walk a day with it on so I can record things until I have the cash for an actual pedometer (yes I know they’re cheap but I’m a poor man).

How it will be graded: My preferred method [(z/y) x 100]. So basically at the end of things tally up how far I walked (which I will be keeping in a special notebook) divide it my 75 and multiply by a hundred. Simple enough.

The Reward: Since this is both good for my health and for my general stamina, I’m going to say this nets me a +1 Constitution and a + 2 Stamina. What it gets me otherwise. It lets me explore my environment a little more and find new things, as well a nice relaxing way to exercise. Plus I love exploring.

 

Goal 2: Train! (Train with a Mace or in my case sledgehammer twice a week)

Why it is Important to a Warrior: A warrior needs to train constantly to improve his skills. Only through continued practice can he become one with his weapon.

Inspiration: So there is another artofmanliness link in here. Basically it was an article that was put out a couple months ago about mace training (go look here (link if curious) that seemed really cool. I bookmarked the page and keep coming back to it, so why the hell not? It’s an interesting workout that will keep me entertained and I get to have fun with a sledgehammer.

How I will do it: Well first off as you have noticed there is no mace. Those things are expensive at the most basic being $70 dollars so I opted for a $20 sledgehammer and I can use if I ever need a sledgehammer. Basically I’ll fit in two workouts a week using all the exercises featured in the article above and maybe a few more I stumble across. Trickiest part will be finding a tire somewhere, but I’ll manage. Still I expect to get some weird looks from this one.

How it will be graded: Same as above.

The Reward: This one actually gets me some Dex which I feel like I really need. In doing a few of the exercises for fun I was struck by how much control it takes rather than brute strength. Still you do need some strength for this one, so a +2 Strength and +2 Dexterity here. As for what I will get from this? It’s fun and I am hoping that some of the skills will transfer over when I start learning sword in the future.

 

Goal 2: Train! (Complete a Calisthenics workout three times a week)

Why it is Important to a Warrior: Ancient warriors didn't have all the gym equipment they had today, and by all accounts they were stronger and faster then we are now. So going to take a page from their book and train the old fashioned way.

Inspiration: So after seeing recommendations for Convict Conditioning all over the place I decided to give it a try, and I'm hooked. 

How I will do it: I already have four times mapped out for the week to work out which should put me over my goal. And I can do it all in my bedroom, plus side there.

How it will be graded: Same as above.

The Reward: So this like the previous Train goal gets me a +2 Dexterity and a +2 Strength as the program focuses on athletic ability as well as strength. For what I hope to get out of this, well a rocking bod would be nice but really I want to be able to lift heavy things here when needed. Plus I am sure the increased strength and athletic ability will help me all around.

 

Goal 3: Rest! (meditate for at least an hour a week)

Why it is Important to a Warrior: Mental focus is just as important as physical strength.

Inspiration: Every great warrior seems to have meditated and those people I know who seem to be very calm and collected do as well. So that is something I aspire for. In addition I have a problem with not doing things. My mind is always running around at a break next speed and this causes me to not fall asleep, skip rest days, etc. It's a bad habit I need to break and not at all good for my health.

How I will do it: The hour goal is a collective one for the week rather then one sitting, though who knows maybe it will graduate to that. In the same place I'm recording the walking goal I'll keep a tab of the minutes I've meditated that day. The style I will be using is Vipassana as I like the sound of it, but I may experiment with others if I come across them. 

How it will be graded: For this I'm going to break it down into minutes (360) and base my score around that. The idea behind this is I'm more likely to stick with it if I see did "20 minutes this week" rather then "failed this week". A subtle way to keep my motivated and make sure I don't dwell on any failures.

The Reward: So this one gets a combination of +3 Wisdom as I'm going to hopefully get better at controlling my impulses, and +1 Constitution to represent me learning to relax a bit. As for what this does for me, well like I said hopefully it will help me control the mess of my mind. Even if it doesn't I do always feel refreshed after I meditate.

 

 

Goal 4: Write! (Write something creative once a week measuring at least a page long)

Why it is Important to a Warrior:  Being a warrior isn’t just about physical strength. It’s about developing the mind and the spirit along with the body to maintain balance.

Inspiration: This has two inspirations. The first is the old ideals of Japanese Samurai and Medieval Knights, both of whom were expected to not only be skilled with a weapon but in other areas as well. Since I have to start somewhere I chose writing. Writing harkens back to a confidence issue I’m had. People tell me I write well, and I sort of understand what they mean but I have a hard time believing it. But screw that, I enjoy doing it even if it takes forever and makes me a little crazy so here we go.

How I will do it: Unfortunately I can’t structure this too much, creativity is like that. But I plan to sit down periodically and try to write as well as jot ideas down in my notebook.

How it will be graded: Same as the first challenge for simplicity’s sake.

The Reward: This one has Wisdom written all over it but on top of that I’m hoping this will break through some of those old confidence issues. So it nets me a +3 Wisdom and a + 1 Charisma. What I get out of it. Well I get a bunch of cool creative things, and I get to work through some old issues. I think that is worth it. 

 

Starting Points!

March! I take walks maybe three to four times a week, usually hitting 2.5 miles. So I have the option of either taking longer walks or doing it more often, which leaves me some flexibility for what is happening that week.

Train! As of right now I can do one circuit of the Mace workout with minor difficulty with my 6 pound hammer. Three circuits will be more trying, and eventually I can just move up in weight!

Rest! So I can meditate. I have done it before and know how to get to the state of at least calmness before my thoughts start going haywire. That usually takes... 8-10 minutes. So yeah this one will be a bit of a stretch.

Write! This one is hard as I get a little stressed when I write because I think this isn't good enough. Well we're gonna use that to make it better. As for ideas, lord knows I have dozens of them even if it's only for a scene.

 

 

So onward into tomorrow! (or more accurately Monday when the challenge starts)

[DocKBar]

Goals look good man .. good luck and subbing to keep track of your success!

[Teros]

wow, how weird is that.  I did something similar for the weapon wielding. I used a sledgehammer and did shovelglove.  granted, the name is stupid, but maybe you'll want to look at this too. http://www.shovelglove.com/movements/

 

I did the first 4 exercises in a 15 minute nonstop workout.  very difficult to do but it's easy now.  maybe mix the site you showed with the one I posted.  It would be interesting.   There's actually a few moves that are the same. 

 

By the way, that site you showed said you need a tire in order to chop wood. no u don't.  you need to be able to have enough control to pull the sledgehammer hoisted back up into the 'over the shoulder' position.

[terrormortus]

Goals look good man .. good luck and subbing to keep track of your success!

Thanks man.

 

 

wow, how weird is that.  I did something similar for the weapon wielding. I used a sledgehammer and did shovelglove.  granted, the name is stupid, but maybe you'll want to look at this too. http://www.shovelglove.com/movements/

 

I did the first 4 exercises in a 15 minute nonstop workout.  very difficult to do but it's easy now.  maybe mix the site you showed with the one I posted.  It would be interesting.   There's actually a few moves that are the same. 

 

By the way, that site you showed said you need a tire in order to chop wood. no u don't.  you need to be able to have enough control to pull the sledgehammer hoisted back up into the 'over the shoulder' position.

I checked out that site and I will definitely be adding some of those movements into the mix, thanks. 

 

For the tire I think the primary concern is safety and the different ways that the two styles approach the same exercise. Chopping Wood (Shovelglove) has you stop the swinging motion a little under knee level. Splitting Wood (Mace) has you continue the motion till it's stopped by the ground or tire. I think it's mainly in the origins of the two systems where the difference is. Mace was designed for actual combat training so you wanted your warrior to continue all the way through with it. Shovelglove was designed for an indoor workout, so you don't want to continue the full motion or you'll break you floor.

 

I think I'll be trying out both movements to see if I can tell any differences in which muscle groups are targeted, along with a few other similar ones like the two digging versions. I'll throw up a post when I do to let you know what I find.

[WildColonialGrrl]

Hey TM, I like the way you have set this one out... and the sledge hammer! THAT is cool.

[Blaidd]

Welcome back TM.  I think you're going to be just great on this challenge, mate! 

[terrormortus]

Welcome back TM.  I think you're going to be just great on this challenge, mate! 

Thank you! I'm hoping the same thing as well.

 

 

Hey TM, I like the way you have set this one out... and the sledge hammer! THAT is cool.

Yeah the sledgehammer is awesome. I came out of the house with it a few days ago when my neighbor was coming out too and his response was "ah, should I be worried?" Funny as hell, though he understood as soon as I said it was for exercising.

[Leonine]

These are looking great! I really hope the walking one works out for you; my walking goal was actually one of the more pleasant surprises of my last challenge. Best of luck, you're gonna do great!!

[Loki]

Not gonna lie, that sledgehammer goal is pretty awesome. Besides that, I love how your plan has justifications and explanations--very well thought out. What type writing do you do?

[terrormortus]

These are looking great! I really hope the walking one works out for you; my walking goal was actually one of the more pleasant surprises of my last challenge. Best of luck, you're gonna do great!!

Thanks!

Not gonna lie, that sledgehammer goal is pretty awesome. Besides that, I love how your plan has justifications and explanations--very well thought out. What type writing do you do?

Usually fantasy type stuff. Below is something I did for a friend a couple of years ago at her request. It involves a character of mine from a roleplaying game. I might actually try to finish and polish it up at some point.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6838881/1/Requiem-of-a-Priest

[terrormortus]

Alright!

So fun fact, I sometimes have trouble sleeping. This is pretty good for this challenge though as my preferred method of helping me sleep is going for a long walk in the middle of the night. In addition to walking through town, finding a new shortcut that may or may not lead to Narnia, and walking past a cemetery while using zombies run I have made my first bit of progress.

My two hour walk tonight ended up netting me 4.85 miles toward my walking goal, not too bad for my first day. On that note I think that I'll keep a copy of my distance and meditation times here for safe keeping.

Walking completed so far: 4.85/75 miles

Meditation for the First Week: 0/60 minutes

[WildColonialGrrl]

Nice start!

I can just imagine you taking the sledgehammer for a walk with you late at night past the cemetery...

[WildColonialGrrl]

I might actually try to finish and polish it up at some point.http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6838881/1/Requiem-of-a-Priest

Get on with it TM I want to know what happens next! Polish later, give me more story!!

[noileum]

awesome - loving the goals and the reasoning behind them all

 

Good luck on your challenge, and I look forward to the updates

[Loki]

That walk sounds awesome! You must live in a great area.

[thegingerdances]

Good luck, my friend!  I think this challenge will be a breeze for you.

 

Question(s) for you: how do you normally write?  Do you type everything on a computer, or do you write your first drafts by hand?  What times of the day are you most creative--early morning, late at night?  Where do you work best--a tiny room?  A library?  In a tree?  Will you work on a specific project or will you consider each day a chance to begin writing something new?

 

If it helps, John Green (author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars) claims the best parts of his first novel weren't even in his first draft.  Everything that his readers love most about the books came in later edits.  Now I will end with a motivational and hilarious video by the much beloved Maureen Johnson, who subbed for John Green when he had his first kid.  Warning: it may sound negative at first, but watch it all the way through.  Her message is such a relief.

 

Basically, don't worry about the quality of your writing just yet.  Sometimes, you have to write the crap before you can make it good.  

 

Now go rock this challenge!  I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress.

[Nerthux]

Nice goals man.

 

[redtomato501]

Don't know how I didn't post before, because I've definitely read this thread already, but awesome goals - like everyone else, I"m a fan of the sledgehammer!

[terrormortus]

Excuse the text and quote wall everybody.

 

Nice start!

I can just imagine you taking the sledgehammer for a walk with you late at night past the cemetery...

Get on with it TM I want to know what happens next! Polish later, give me more story!!

Hehe. I was tempted. It's actually a nice little place pretty much in the center of town, there's a few older ones within walking distance as well so if the zombies come I'm screwed.

 

As for the story I'll get to work, haven't had fun with Tyler is soooo long. He was always one of my favorite characters.

 

Good luck, my friend!  I think this challenge will be a breeze for you.

 

Question(s) for you: how do you normally write?  Do you type everything on a computer, or do you write your first drafts by hand?  What times of the day are you most creative--early morning, late at night?  Where do you work best--a tiny room?  A library?  In a tree?  Will you work on a specific project or will you consider each day a chance to begin writing something new?

 

If it helps, John Green (author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars) claims the best parts of his first novel weren't even in his first draft.  Everything that his readers love most about the books came in later edits.  Now I will end with a motivational and hilarious video by the much beloved Maureen Johnson, who subbed for John Green when he had his first kid.  Warning: it may sound negative at first, but watch it all the way through.  Her message is such a relief.

 

Basically, don't worry about the quality of your writing just yet.  Sometimes, you have to write the crap before you can make it good.  

 

Now go rock this challenge!  I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress.

I actually have heard that before. I get the feeling it was a Zen Pencil's quote (if you've never heard of that do yourself a favor and go here for some awesomeness) but I haven't gone searching through the archives for the actual comic.

 

As for when I am creative usually at night when an idea won't get out of my head and I use the computer as it let's me edit and write faster. I think doing a few updates on Requiem of a Priest will be a plan, but if I have an awesome idea I'll go with it. I have a habit of doing just individual scenes rather then actual stories so that might pop up.

 

Nice goals man.

 

Thank you sir!

 

Don't know how I didn't post before, because I've definitely read this thread already, but awesome goals - like everyone else, I"m a fan of the sledgehammer!

Thank you. The sledgehammer seems to be a big hit so far and my first session with it has made me realize how good this will be, read below for more details.

 

So an update on the second day! Ended up not sleeping which isn't as bad as it seems, I tend to be pretty amusing when I haven't and I hit a little magic period after a while where I get super productive. I ended up spending the entire day at my dojo (I practice Aikido). I took the 9am adult class then stuck around to help clean a bit as we are hosting a seminar, then went to the 6pm adult basics class, so pretty fun day.

 

On the terms of goals, I did meditate a little bit, about ten minutes so far, and it was very refreshing. I did my strength training and it was challenging. Rather then go through things quickly I decided on slow controlled motions with a one second pause between the motions. My muscles are not happy. Only one circuit for this one as a test batch but I shall count it. Next session I'll do at least two sets of the moves I did tonight and start adding some of the shovelglove stuff in to try it out.

 

I also took a long walk last night to try to get sleepy. I ended up walking the five miles to the next town over and back, so yeah tons of exercise at least. I get the feeling that the walking goal is going to get knocked out of the park.

 

Walking completed so far: 15.74/75 miles
Meditation for the First Week: 10/60 minutes

Sledgehammer Training Sessions for First Week: 1/2 

[thegingerdances]

This is shaping up to be an easy challenge, my friend!  Well done on today's work!

 

[redtomato501]

Yay Zen Pencils!

 

And you are KILLING it on the mileage! I think you need to promise yourself a special treat if you hit 350 or something, like a new Zen Pencils poster, because at this rate you could get the 75 done a week from now!

[terrormortus]

This is shaping up to be an easy challenge, my friend!  Well done on today's work!

 

Thanks. Seems I managed to pick some very SMART goals this time around.

Yay Zen Pencils!

 

And you are KILLING it on the mileage! I think you need to promise yourself a special treat if you hit 350 or something, like a new Zen Pencils poster, because at this rate you could get the 75 done a week from now!

Much as o hate to admit it the 10 mile mark is an oddity, usually I hit something like today where I on

Y walked 2.17 miles. I have decided that if I do manage to pass Roosevelt's walking challenge I shall reward myself with something. Not sure what yet but there are a few posters I would like to have...

[rpg101]

I love how youve formatted the challenge (mine is a tad bit similar). Congrats on knocking out so many miles already. If you're looking for a reward, you can always look into something fitness related. A new pair of walkkng\running shoes, new sledgehammer, etc. this way you're getting something you want but aren't harming your workout or diet.

Sorry for any errors in the message, iPhones aren't ideal for paragraphs

[Teros]

i second the fitness-related reward.  even if it'sa NF shirt; it'll be something to remind you to keep moving forward.

[terrormortus]

I love how youve formatted the challenge (mine is a tad bit similar). Congrats on knocking out so many miles already. If you're looking for a reward, you can always look into something fitness related. A new pair of walkkng\running shoes, new sledgehammer, etc. this way you're getting something you want but aren't harming your workout or diet.

Sorry for any errors in the message, iPhones aren't ideal for paragraphs

i second the fitness-related reward.  even if it'sa NF shirt; it'll be something to remind you to keep moving forward.

I like that idea. A shirt would be nice reward as I'm fast running out of clothes that for me. Plus it will have a story behind it which would be awesome.

Alright a quick update on the day so far. Meditated for 15 minutes this morning rather then at night like I normally do. Seems to be much easier to focus then so think I'll continue to meditate in the morning. Today's walk knocked 5.72 miles off my goal. On the note of President Roosevelt's challenge I think that I'll need to wait for my next day off to try it, 50 miles is a considerable distance. Maybe as a bonus goal if I finish up this goal early.

Hammer training is gonna be a bit later today before Aikido. As for writing I am going to squeeze it in on fri-sun after work. I tend to get creative there.

Walking completed so far: 21.46/75 miles

Meditation for the First Week: 25/60 minutes

Sledgehammer Training Sessions for First Week: 1/2