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Jodi's Two Towers: Serenity and Flexibility

Jodi V

By Jodi V
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Jodi V

Jodi V

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I have chosen the two pillars of my next challenge – serenity and flexibility – because these are two aspects of my life which have recently given me a feeling of great balance.  These were actually unexpected benefits from the challenge we just finished, so I wanted to focus more energy on them in the coming six weeks.

 

I accomplished things in my last challenge – my first – that I didn’t know were possible for me.  I have lost almost 15 inches and 16 pounds, and I have sustained a daily gratitude practice that has transformed my life.  But I want to go further.  I am looking for the peace that comes with knowing myself and my heart, and the practices I have planned in my second quest will hopefully help me deepen that knowledge.

 

To get to know myself even better, I guess I'm going to have to spend some time with Me.   :nevreness:  I’m going to do this through spending Me time in the woods, on the yoga mat, and through continuing the meditation practice I started in my last challenge.   

 

Running

 

My budding running practice has given me a sense of balance and peace I have not known before.  When it’s good, it’s almost like a moving meditation for me.  As I run more, I find that I do not enjoy road-running AT ALL.  I am most at peace in nature, walking and running on sun-dappled trails with the smell of leaves and earth and moss all around me.

 

In the next six weeks, I would like to 1) increase my distance to the point that I am running 5k easily and regularly, and 2) wean myself from the “dreadmill†by getting out to the trails near my home multiple times a week.

 

For the first three weeks of this challenge, I will be completing the Couch-to-5k training program I started in the middle of my last challenge.  When I complete the program, I will be running in a 5k for charity.  After that, I will focus exclusively on running trails until the weather leaves the trails un-navigable.  The ultimate goal will be to conquer the Hickory Grove Trail, a 3-mile dirt/gravel trail in a conservation area near my house.  I would like to be able to run the entire three miles of the trail with ease by the end of this challenge.

 

The next six weeks looks like this in my mind:

Week 1 – complete C25k Week 6 program – 3 runs

Week 2 – complete C25k Week 7 program – 3 runs

Week 3 – complete C25k Week 8 program and run Pink Laundry 5k on 10/6

Week 4 – Run 2x5k on treadmill plus 1 Hickory Grove trail run

Week 5 – Run 1x5k on treadmill plus 2 Hickory Grove trail runs

Week 6 – Run 3 Hickory Grove trail runs

 

For ease of grading, I will add one distance walk per week.  Thus, the grading scale will be as follows:

3 runs + weekly distance walk completed: A

2 runs + weekly distance walk completed: B

1 run + weekly distance walk completed: C

1 run or 1 distance walk completed: D

No run or walk completed: F

 

Yoga Practice

 

I have also found serenity in practicing yoga.  I am still an uber-novice, but I would like to increase the frequency of my practice in order to increase mental and physical awareness and gain even more flexibility. 

 

I will be increasing my yoga practice to 5x per week over the course of this 6-week challenge.  I’d really like to be able to complete an entire Shiva Rea vinyasa yoga dvd without having to leave out any poses by the end of the 6 weeks, I’m just not sure how to make this part a measurable mission lol.  For ease of grading, I’ll keep the frequency as the measurable part.  Here’s what the grading scale will look like for the yoga mission:

5x yoga practice/week: A

4x yoga practice/week: B

3x yoga practice/week: C

2x yoga practice/week: D

1 or fewer yoga practice/week: F

 

Meditation

 

I was extremely successful introducing basic meditation into my daily practice in the last challenge.  It made a great improvement in my mental state and overall sense of balance, and I would like to continue and deepen that practice with the current challenge.  I will change my approach to be less mantra-centered and more focused on emptying my mind.  Ideally, this would be a daily practice, but I learned in the last challenge that flexibility is the foundation of sanity in my house.  J  Here is the grading scale:

Meditating 5x or more/week: A

Meditating 4x/week: B

Meditating 3x/week: C

Meditating 2x/week: D

Meditating 1x/week: F

 

Life Goal: People IRL

 

I have virtually no social life.  I see pictures on Facebook of women and their “tribes†of supporters at various outings and functions, and it makes me somewhat wistful.  I’ve never really had a tribe of people in person – I have been content to keep track of my closest friends, who live far away, via email.  I am going to set out to change that and build a foundation for creating my own tribe here IN REAL LIFE.

 

I am going to commit to having at least one IRL meeting with a friend each week.  This could be getting coffee or going out for a drink, or getting together for a project.  This is over and above my daily workouts, which I do with a workout buddy.  I need to increase face-time with folks I like, not just chatting on Facebook or communicating solely via text message.  This is an all-or-nothing goal – either I pass or I fail. 

 

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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AshPS

AshPS

Posted
Posted

Sub'd!!!!

 

Whoo Hoooooo Jodi!!!

 

Man we are gonna kick this thing! So awesome! :triumphant: :triumphant: :triumphant: :triumphant:

 

(and seriously- keep bringing that awesome sense of humor to my thread, I am LOVING it!! :love_heart: :love_heart: )

Level 6 Pixie Assassin Rangerish Adventurer
Current Challenge: Guess What??
Previous Challenges:

Spoiler

 

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 12th 13th 14th  Battle Log
-We can't always change the things we've done, but we can change what we do next.

-I don't have a choice. I deserve a better life and this is what I have to do to get there.
-Whatever doesn't kill me....Had better start running.

 

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Nazy_Ak

Nazy_Ak

Posted
Posted

Good luck Jodi, seems as though meditation really helped you, I'm interested in that because I'm pretty sure I need it! What kind of meditation do you do?

Can totally relate with the real life friends goal! I rarely physically meet up with my few selected people too. I actually considered putting it into my challenge as you have but then decided to leave it for the next challenge as I personally needed to focus on other things for now.

Anyway, look forward to your posts/progress :)

'The only Limits you have, are the ones You set for yourself'


1    2

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Eirlys

Eirlys

Posted
Posted

Hi Jodi

 

Love your challenge, and also I'm intrigued by the gratitude practice you did in your previous challenge.  I had a flick through your last log and you said it was surprisingly easy to incorporate.  Can I ask what sort of things you focused on, and what questions you asked daily yourself to set your intentions?  Did you find it helped you to become more serene, and how long did it take for you to notice any kind of positivity shift?

 

Sun-dappled woods FTW :)  Do you have some nice trails nearby?  (what country are you in?)

 

And I totally dig your Friend IRL idea.  Another thing I shall be watching with interest :)

 

Good luck!

Eirlys - Long Time Wood Fairy Druid

Current Challenge: S4 (Sleep, Sugar, Spending, Son)

 

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

Done is better than perfect

-- Facebook

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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Hi Kiara and Eirlys!   I am so humbled to have you both following my progress!

 

I think my meditation practice was so easy to incorporate because I was kind of craving quiet in my life.  That part of the last challenge came at a perfect time for me.  I intentionally kept my goal super-simplified since I am an absolute novice at meditation, and it was a tiny little practice that ended up being a very big deal for me.

 

From the beginning, I decided to intertwine my daily meditation and gratitude practices, and it worked out really well.  First thing in the morning, I grab my little gratitude journal and hand-write four or five things for which I'm grateful.  Then I write three positive words at the bottom of the page that will be my focus for the day, things like Light, Hope, Peace, Love, Wonder, etc.  I use those three words as a mantra for a brief 5-10 minute meditation.  I don't use music, just breathing and those words.

 

To be honest, I noticed a pretty much instant shift in my overall sense of well-being and balance.  Like I said, I think my body and soul were a little restless and striving toward that quiet for a while before the challenge, and when I started that practice it instantly felt like coming home.   :tranquillity:  I still struggle with focus sometimes, but I think about the sensation of air entering my nostrils, imagining every little nose hair welcoming my breath, and also repeating the words in rhythm with the breath.  Since I do actively focus on words and don't completely let my mind go blank, I'm not sure it fits into some definitions of meditation, but it surely works for me where I am in my life now.  I would like to try to deepen the practice and try different types of meditation at some point, but I also want to be sure to "set myself up for success" so I do not become discouraged.  Baby steps.   :tranquillity:   

 

I hope my Friends IRL goal goes as well as I hope it will!  I am looking forward to this challenge, perhaps even more so than my first challenge, because of the shift in my goals this time that feels much more personalized.

 

Thank you for coming by my thread! 

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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baby_rawr-1736.jpg

 

Rawr!  Game Face On!  Good Luck, Jodi! :D

 

This is unspeakably cute and amazing!  Thank you, kiwi!

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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Posted

 

Sun-dappled woods FTW :)  Do you have some nice trails nearby?  (what country are you in?)

 

 

I'm in the hot, humid midsection of the States, in Missouri.  I'm very lucky to have three trail systems in/near my town -- two are dirt/gravel, one is paved.  One of the dirt systems is also popular with mountain bikers, so sharing and courtesy will be attributes I will improve in the coming months out of necessity.   :joyous:

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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Nazy_Ak

Nazy_Ak

Posted
Posted

Hi Kiara and Eirlys!   I am so humbled to have you both following my progress!

 

I think my meditation practice was so easy to incorporate because I was kind of craving quiet in my life.  That part of the last challenge came at a perfect time for me.  I intentionally kept my goal super-simplified since I am an absolute novice at meditation, and it was a tiny little practice that ended up being a very big deal for me.

 

From the beginning, I decided to intertwine my daily meditation and gratitude practices, and it worked out really well.  First thing in the morning, I grab my little gratitude journal and hand-write four or five things for which I'm grateful.  Then I write three positive words at the bottom of the page that will be my focus for the day, things like Light, Hope, Peace, Love, Wonder, etc.  I use those three words as a mantra for a brief 5-10 minute meditation.  I don't use music, just breathing and those words.

 

To be honest, I noticed a pretty much instant shift in my overall sense of well-being and balance.  Like I said, I think my body and soul were a little restless and striving toward that quiet for a while before the challenge, and when I started that practice it instantly felt like coming home.   :tranquillity:  I still struggle with focus sometimes, but I think about the sensation of air entering my nostrils, imagining every little nose hair welcoming my breath, and also repeating the words in rhythm with the breath.  Since I do actively focus on words and don't completely let my mind go blank, I'm not sure it fits into some definitions of meditation, but it surely works for me where I am in my life now.  I would like to try to deepen the practice and try different types of meditation at some point, but I also want to be sure to "set myself up for success" so I do not become discouraged.  Baby steps.   :tranquillity:   

 

I hope my Friends IRL goal goes as well as I hope it will!  I am looking forward to this challenge, perhaps even more so than my first challenge, because of the shift in my goals this time that feels much more personalized.

 

Thank you for coming by my thread! 

 

That sounds like a really cool technique. Hey dont worry about fitting definitions, go with whatever works for you!

 

For me its more a case of closing my eyes, emptying thoughts and focusing on melodius recitation of the Quran. Kind of like music I guess :)

Since I was young, every morning I would wake up to my dad reciting passages from the Quran, it became a soothing sound to me and even now when I hear somebody reciting/reading, even just clips on youtube, it just relaxes me.

In recent yrs I stopped listening as often as before but I'm going to change that hopefully.

 

I love that meditation worked so well for you, it gives me hope that it could work just as well for me :)

I feel the same about my challenges, I was new to NF when I started my first challenge so more experienced. The first challenge was more trial and error. Lol

 

No worries  :)

'The only Limits you have, are the ones You set for yourself'


1    2

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Chanda

Chanda

Posted
Posted

Your results from your first challenge were awesome and I can not wait to see how you do with this one. You are setting out to do a lot, but it is so well thought out and detailed that I have no doubt you will do it!

 

I too love running... although thats on the back burner at the moment.

 

I am glad you decided to join us Druids for this challenge! 

Lusitanian Druid, Level 9
STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25

“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- Aristotle

Current Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th,  8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

 

Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 

5.27%
5.27%

 

Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 

16.67%
16.67%
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Eirlys

Eirlys

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Posted

Hi Jodi

 

Those trails sound lovely!  Are you getting autumn (fall?) colours in the trees as yet?  Your profile pic is so beautiful - makes me want to be wherever that is :D

 

Thanks for letting us in on your gratitude/meditation success; it's certainly helping me think how I can try it out.

Eirlys - Long Time Wood Fairy Druid

Current Challenge: S4 (Sleep, Sugar, Spending, Son)

 

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

Done is better than perfect

-- Facebook

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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Hello Eirlys!  Well, we were cooling down, and I have already noticed some leaves on my favorite paths.  However, yesterday and today we had a brief little return to summer -- back to the 90s and very humid -- so I'm back to very patiently waiting for the crisp feel to return to the morning air.  This morning when I left the gym, I felt like I was walking through soupy air.  It was a very unique sensation, and I appreciated it for what it was, but I would really prefer my air to be a little less aggressive.  :)

 

That picture spoke to me as I was looking at fall images the other day, so I made it my profile picture.  I'm hoping to get some photos on the trails this fall!  

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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Certified Wong Buggalo

Certified Wong Buggalo

Posted
Posted

Heyyy Jodi V, wanna be in the mini-squad with me? 

Level 2 


Dwarf Ranger


 


STR 2     |     DEX 1     |     STA 4     |     CON 3     |     WIS 3     |     CHA 0


 


Current Challenge: Give Peas a Chance!


1st Challenge: Buggalo Begins!


 


''Life is hard. You are hard. I don't see the problem." - Coach


 


THE GURREN BRIGADE!


"Think about all the things you'd wish other people had done for, or with, you. Then do those things for other people.


                                                     Then, smash barriers and laugh a lot while shouting "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM!?!" - Hero                                                                                                                      

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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Heyyy Jodi V, wanna be in the mini-squad with me? 

 

 

Love to!  I was just trying to deal with my grade school insecurities over never being chosen for a team...  :)  

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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the 13th letter

the 13th letter

Posted
Posted

Hello fellow "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE" shouter!

I sure know what it's like to live in a picture-perfect place; in my case, the alpine region of southern Germany. Does Missouri have cold winters? I'm not such a fan of the cold, so when winter comes, my area turns a lot less picture-perfect, IMO. Also, winter sports tourists from all over Europe start flocking here, filling up streets and whatnot. Hope you don't have those troubles in Missouri.

By the way, you haven't talked much of your progress so far. How's it going?

M (the 13th letter). Lvl 6 Elven Monk.

Mathematics, computer science, martial arts and bodyweight strength training. Also, sometimes, fiction.

Hello, world!

Challenges: “Consistency†⟶ “Preparation†⟶ “Multiplexing†⟶ “Sanity†⟶ “Escape†⟶ “Lockdown†⟶ “Probation†⟶ “Detention†⟶ “Foundationâ€(×3) ⟶ “All In!†⟶ “Happy Hourâ€

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- Will -

- Will -

Posted
Posted

Hey Jodi V, it's me Will. Just wanted to drop by and say hi to a fellow DAI-GURREN BRIGADE member, and mini-squad member. Your goals look awesome, and you can count on us to help you make it there! As a former XC runner slowly getting himself back into running (I got injured at the beginning of last year in my foot, so I haven't run consistently in forever), your goals on that 5k are great; and to see someone with similar ambitions is awesome!

Now, let's knock this challenge out of the park! Because, we're faithful members of...

THE DAI-GURREN BRIGADE!

WE DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND KICK REASON TO THE CURB!

JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE!

(man, doing that all caps thing like Hero is fun)

[ Battle Log: - THE LEGEND OF WILL - ]

Spoiler

 

"I can change the future!"

- Shulk from Xenoblade Chronicles

 

"I still don't know what I should do. What [he's] doing isn't for his own gain. He walks the path he believes in, one step at a time. Wishing only for the happiness of those around him. I, on the other hand... I thought I didn't have a path that I could take laid out before me. But like he said, that's just running away. I must find my own path."

- Fei from Xenogears

 

"A life of adventure awaits those with the courage to step beyond their comfort zones."

- Hylian Dan from The Philosophy of The Wind Waker

 

 

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forkboy

forkboy

Posted
Posted

Your pic and posts are making me miss the Midwestern autumn.  I actually lived in MO for 4 years prior to moving to AZ and I remember autumn being amazing.  I lived in St. Louis and we had wonderful parks.  How are your goals coming?  Kick ass!

Current: reorient

Old: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | a | b | battle log

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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Hey Jodi V, it's me Will. Just wanted to drop by and say hi to a fellow DAI-GURREN BRIGADE member, and mini-squad member. Your goals look awesome, and you can count on us to help you make it there! As a former XC runner slowly getting himself back into running (I got injured at the beginning of last year in my foot, so I haven't run consistently in forever), your goals on that 5k are great; and to see someone with similar ambitions is awesome!

Now, let's knock this challenge out of the park! Because, we're faithful members of...

THE DAI-GURREN BRIGADE!

WE DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND KICK REASON TO THE CURB!

JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE!

(man, doing that all caps thing like Hero is fun)

 

Greetings, -Will-!  Welcome to the Brigade!  It is so nice to be surrounded by supportive folks, and I know you'll find as much encouragement in our little clan as I have.  Sounds like our mini-groups are getting up and running -- let's go break down some personal barriers, shall we?  :)  Good to have you aboard!

 

Your pic and posts are making me miss the Midwestern autumn.  I actually lived in MO for 4 years prior to moving to AZ and I remember autumn being amazing.  I lived in St. Louis and we had wonderful parks.  How are your goals coming?  Kick ass!

 

Forks, my husband's entire huge, loud Catholic family lives in St. Louis.  :)  I love it there, but I am a KC girl from birth.  The autumn is the time of year that I really love living in Missouri.  The trees in the parks near me are confused -- we've had a couple of cool spells, followed by heat again -- and they are dropping some leaves that don't have much color yet.  :(  Later this month, I expect the real show will start...anticipating some very crisp fall mornings around here before I know it!

 

I'll be following along on your challenges, you two!  Welcome to the Brigade! 

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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Certified Wong Buggalo

Certified Wong Buggalo

Posted
Posted

Forks, my husband's entire huge, loud Catholic family...

 

Oh, look. More stuff we have in common! My husband, who is of Italian descent, has 25 first cousins and 8 people in his family are named Dominic. We all went on a vacation together once and it was a customs nightmare!

 

I was born and raised in Michigan, though right now I live in New Jersey. Yay. :miserable: (Mostly kidding. New Jersey's not as bad as they say. It's just hard being away from all of our loved ones.)

 

I love your goals. I'm planning to focus on meditation next challenge. I have a whole room I made up just for meditation, but it's been so hot in there this summer with no air conditioning. It's finally cool enough to bust out the incense.

Level 2 


Dwarf Ranger


 


STR 2     |     DEX 1     |     STA 4     |     CON 3     |     WIS 3     |     CHA 0


 


Current Challenge: Give Peas a Chance!


1st Challenge: Buggalo Begins!


 


''Life is hard. You are hard. I don't see the problem." - Coach


 


THE GURREN BRIGADE!


"Think about all the things you'd wish other people had done for, or with, you. Then do those things for other people.


                                                     Then, smash barriers and laugh a lot while shouting "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM!?!" - Hero                                                                                                                      

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Jodi V

Jodi V

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Oh, look. More stuff we have in common! My husband, who is of Italian descent, has 25 first cousins and 8 people in his family are named Dominic. We all went on a vacation together once and it was a customs nightmare!

 

I was born and raised in Michigan, though right now I live in New Jersey. Yay. :miserable: (Mostly kidding. New Jersey's not as bad as they say. It's just hard being away from all of our loved ones.)

 

I love your goals. I'm planning to focus on meditation next challenge. I have a whole room I made up just for meditation, but it's been so hot in there this summer with no air conditioning. It's finally cool enough to bust out the incense.

 

That is a LOT of Dominics, Buggs!  LOL  My hubby is one of 7 kids, Gram has 23 grandkidlets and 5 greats.  I had to practice names using the photos hanging on my husband's fridge for months before I met them just to get a .500 average!  :)  I was an only child so family events are complete sensory overload, but so much fun for me!

 

I have a friend who lives in NJ near Philadelphia.  I thought it was wonderful when I visited.  LOVED the public transit system -- so much more utilized there than in the Midwest!  Some people think Jersey is all big hair and fist-pumping, but I know better.  LOL  It would be difficult to be so far away from family, so I hope you get to visit often.

 

I'm a little jelly of your meditation room, but I'm breathing through it.   :tranquillity:   I share my "meditation room" -- aka the computer room -- with three 70-lb Labrador retrievers.  They are not great helpers, especially when one is just a year old and thinks the other two are in the house specifically to be her wrestling buddies.  My concentration is improving out of sheer necessity, though!

Level 2 Amazon Druid

STR 4|DEX 1|STA 1|CON 3|WIS 3|CHA 1

 

My 1st Challenge - Ring Toss, Anyone?     My 2nd Challenge - Jodi's Two Towers     My Battle Log     My Tribe - The Dai-Gurren Brigade

 

At times, you become almost certain that you slabbed this hillside three days ago, crossed this stream yesterday, clambered over this fallen tree at least twice today already. But most of the time you don’t think. No point. Instead, you exist in a kind of mobile Zen mode, your brain like a balloon tethered with string, accompanying but not actually part of the body below. Walking for hours and miles becomes as automatic, as unremarkable, as breathing. At the end of the day you don’t think, 'Hey, I did sixteen miles today,' any more than you think, 'Hey, I took eight-thousand breaths today.' It’s just what you do.â€

Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

 

 

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