Strong Women and What Your Feet Look Like as a Bend Trail Runner in Summer

Happy Saturday!  Third post in three days now...how's that for exercising my writing muscles?  Thank you for your comments and emails about jumping in a triathlon.  It's been so helpful to read your tips and advice.  Kristen's comment made me realize more than ever how thankful I am for having strong and supportive women in my life.  Not just women but friends and mentors that are there to inspire, guide, advise, and be there to help you along your way.  I feel so fortunate to have had so many people like this in my life.  Recently, I've seen this to be especially true.  I think a big reason for this comes from being in a place where I have rooted and am reaching out to my community more... making friends, connecting, and being open to building new relationships (work and personal).

This morning was another reminder to me of how thankful I am for strong women in my life.  My friend Carissa is here on vacation with her family and she reached out to myself and friend Shelley to see if we wanted to run a long run with her.  I'm so glad she did!  And I'm so glad I got out of bed early to start my day with a trail run with these two women!  Our 13 mile trail run felt like only 3 miles with the good company and beautiful forests.  And I drove away feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically charged.

One of the things I loved the most about my run with Shelley and Carissa is how refreshing it was to be out there with women that inspire me.  Capable women.  Intelligent women.  Women that read and have ideas. Women that challenge themselves and seek new opportunities.  Mothers.  Athletes.  Professionals.  Women that make me think.  Women that uplift and support.

I found my sixth person for the book club I'm starting!  Shelley.  And if Carissa lived here, I'd ask her to join too.  We aren't going to have a book club where we read only books but it will be a group of these women who want to learn and be inspired.  We will read articles, listen to podcasts and enjoy books of all kinds (entertainment and educational).  And I'm 100% certain that these 6 women will inspire, support, uplift, and encourage each other to find greatness and be our best selves! We will learn together and challenge each other.  I'm excited!!

And below is a picture of what your feet look like when you come home from a long trail run here in Bend in the summer!  Gotta love the dry, hot, mountain dirt!  Looks like I'll be hosing down with the dog this summer before I'm allowed in the house!

I know, nasty dirty legs!  

Thanks also for those of you that asked about my trail 50k.  I just might be back soon to write a bit more about that!  Lots to say.

Oh, yeah, and before I forget something so exciting to me.... CONGRATS to my good friend Marci on her marathon PR today at Grandma's Marathon!!  2:33:33!!  4th woman overall!  Love this girl to pieces.  I'm so so thankful for her, another very strong, supportive and wise woman in my life! Can't wait to take her out for a congratulatory beer when she comes home to Bend.

Amanda

Mostly on Instagram with my blog these days with pictures and long captions.  :) 

Exercising the Writing Muscle: On Trying a Tri

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.” -Jane Yolen

I think having inspirational writing/work space is always nice to get the creative mind flowing!  I had this space all set up when we first moved in at the end of last summer.  However, since then, it has been taken down to be moved into another room (the home office that my husband is no longer working from) but I haven't set it up again.  Creating this space (as soon as I paint my office) is a must do on my summer list!  

It's no secret that I love to write.  At least I used to love to write.  And I'm pretty sure I still do.  However, somewhere over the last year or so, my writing has become less and less frequent.  Even my personal journaling.  Dusty.  Rusty.  Out. of. Shape.  So much so that I've gone from thinking of myself as a writer for the simple fact that I wrote daily and loved to write to almost delivering a disclaimer whenever writing comes up in conversation.  I say something along the lines of: "Well, I like to write.  And I used to write a silly running mommy blog and have started writing a book BUT...." There's always that BUT lately.  As if I'm a pretend writer.  A poser.  But what makes a Real Writer?  I'm sure this question would be answered in several different ways depending on who you are. It's certainly a question I've considered recently.  There's this voice in my head sometimes...that little voice of perfection and "not there YET" that whispers:  "Ha!  Why do you call yourself a writer?  You're not paid to write (consistently).  You don't have a long list of publications. You're not listed in any notable magazines...."  The list goes on.

But here's the simple truth:  I love to write.  I enjoy using words to tell my story, thoughts, observations, and reflections.  Writing daily is fuel for my life.  It makes me happy.  Clears my head.  Leads to connection and depth with relationships.  Writing is something I used to and want to continue to do daily.  As I teach my students when I teach writing workshops:  To be a better writer, you need to live a writerly life.  To be a writer, you write.  And just as with anything you want to be better at, you practice...or as author Jane Yolen mentions above,  you exercise!  As with running (or any sport), you don't have to be elite or at the top of your age group to call yourself a runner.  You RUN!  You practice.  You get out there and move your legs and arms! And if you make running part of your life, you're a runner. It's about your personal relationship with running and what it adds to your life.  There's no such thing as a "real runner" as I hear some people say when they are giving their I'm not good enough disclaimer when asked if they are a runner and they say: "Well, I run sometimes.  But I'm not a real runner."

So, here I am, missing writing in my life (public and private) and exhausted with the disclaimers we give to make ourselves less vulnerable.  As I exercise my body as an athlete, I'm exercising my writing muscle as a writer.


Running: Run, Bike, Swim
Running used to be my main way to exercise this body (and mind) of mine.  It still is.  However, since moving to Bend, physical exercise has involved so so much more.  Currently, I'm considering jumping in my first triathlon in just a few weeks.  I have never done a triathlon of any kind and it is certainly something that scares me a bit.  I've considered a triathlon a couple of times but never seriously followed through.  So why now?  Why not?  My body feels strong and capable from all the trail running, and after Boston and my trail 50k, I feel pretty strong in the endurance category!  So, it feels like a perfect time to do a first triathlon for fun without any expectations other for the experience.

Two things I'm pretty scared of when it comes to trying my first triathlon in these mountains:

1. Steep downhills.  Climbing the mountain roads is no problem.  I can power/endurance through this!  But then you have to turn around and come down!!  I will burn through my brakes.  And with traffic and a narrow bike lane,  it scares me to think of fearless flyers zooming by me while I grip my handles, clench my body, and repeat my mantra: "Trust you bike. Trust your bike. Trust your bike."
2. Cold open water swim.  Yes, I was on the swim team in HS but I was never the best swimmer and open moving water is way different than a pool!   

I think the ripping off the bandaid approach might be best for me here.  Not over thinking but instead, giving myself permission to go as slow as I need...no pressure.  And lucky for me, I have some great resources here in Bend.  My friend Corie (also a triathlon/endurance coach) has been such a huge support for me with my consideration of stepping un-tri-trained into an olympic or sprint distance Triathlon.  She's offered to take me out for mountain rides and river swims, loaned me her wet suits, and so much more.  Thankful for her!  

What little progress I have made towards this thought of jumping in a triathlon:

• I bought clip-in shoes for my bike!  And so far, I have not crashed but I know just by typing this, I'm jinxing myself.  Knocking on wood now.  
• A couple longer bike rides.  One was last week where I rode from Sisters, OR to the top of McKenzie pass.  This was about 30 miles of riding from what I was told so not too far but long enough to give my body a taste.  Climbing up the pass was no problem but coming down was a little scary for me.  Luckily, there were no cars on the road so felt ok about my awkward brake riding on the steep, windy decent.  
• I tried a couple cold water lake swims recently.  Two of them were with a wet suit.  The wet suit was really a big pain in the butt ...what a process!!  However, it kept me warm and more buoyant so I didn't get the same panic feeling like I did the week before when I thought I'd just swim half way across the lake in my swimsuit no problem.  

What I'd like to work on in the next couple of weeks:

• At least 2 more longer bike rides on steep roads.  
• Trying to run right after a longer bike ride so I can get a feel for this. And riding after a swim.  
• Two or three swims in the cold Deschutes River to practice how it feels and get more comfortable with my strokes.  However, you bet I'll be the breast stroker and back floater!  No shame.  
• Actually wearing a swim cap next time I swim in the rivers or lakes!  Otherwise, the water in my ears leads to crazy vertigo that has me stumbling around like a drunk toddler. 
• Maintaining endurance.  

If I don't feel comfortable and SAFE after practicing these points I listed, I will wait to find a triathlon further out.  But if I do feel ok at them even though I'll likely be super slow, I will certainly jump in and see what happens.  It might be my first and last.  However, it might spark a fire!  

My first road ride with my friend Corie.  She took me out to some less traveled roads but I was still pretty chicken!  And my crotch was angry (I need a better seat) even with the padded bike shorts.  This bike is so old but it does the trick for what I need it for right now!  

I'd considered typing up this post with a bit about running, motherhood and life in general but as I'm writing, my kids have stepped out of their beds and the RUMPUS has begun.  I have two girls in the kitchen (my eight year old and her friend) making pancakes, one rowdy almost six year old boy antagonizing his oldest sister, and a very non-morning person ten year old ready to eat said little boy/brother for breakfast.  Besides, in my attempts to exercise my writing muscle again, I think shorter is better.  I'll write on Motherhood and Life next time!

A quick shout out to my sweet friend (and amazing runner) Marci as she races Grandma's Marathon this weekend!  So glad to call her friend...such a beautiful and wise woman!

Marci in Duluth running Grandma's Marathon last year in 2:35

1. Have you done a triathlon of any distance?  What one?  What was your first?  
2. Any triathlon tips for a beginner who is potentially jumping in an Olympic distance mountain (steep ride, cold river swim) triathlon?  
3. What's a "muscle" or habit in your life you miss that you'd like to spend more time exercising?  

Amanda
Mostly on Instagram with my blog these days with pictures and long captions.  :) 

The Meantime: First Ultra, Cycling, SUP, Exploring Outdoors, and What's Next...

I've fallen in love with these mountain lakes and my new SUP comes in 5 days!  Another thing that might seem silly to some but fun to me:  Headstands on this thing.  GREAT core work!  

It's been so long since I've blogged.  It seems as if the longer I go, the harder it is to write again.  It's hard to find my voice on here sometimes.  I think this has come naturally with all the big changes in life over the last few years but now that we are settled and  have put down some bigger roots, I'm looking forward to finding my writing voice more.  Maybe that will be on this blog and maybe not, but for now I'm glad to be here today.  There have been moments in the last year where I've come to write on here and it all feels so silly and pointless.  I'm not sure why I've felt this way but more than ever I've realized how meaningful and powerful it can be when we share ourselves with others...when we write and speak our stories, goals, feelings, inspiration...  it's a light.  It really is. No matter how simple or plain or small our life topics feel when we share.  Chance are, when we are real and speak what is on our hearts and minds (deep and surface), there is someone else out there that can relate.  A connection. I've truly craved this authenticity and connection in my life...with my own sharing and in hearing about the real life happenings and heart of others.  Those that want to read will read and those that don't, won't.  It's that simple.

Sisters, OR (20 minutes from Bend)

So much has happened since my last post.  Too much to write about in the fifteen minutes I have before heading off to pick up my son from one of his last days of preschool.  I've run my first trail 50k, caught the SUP (Stand-up Paddle Board) bug, bought my first pair of clip-in bike shoes, gone on my first big road mountain cycling adventure (big to me...especially the down hills...holy scary!!), entertained the idea of my first triathlon in three weeks, attempted my first open water lake swim in a wet suit (different than without for sure!  And note to self: wear a swim cap next time so you don't look like a drunk crazy lady wobbling out of the water with vertigo), and overall, been enjoying the heck out of these great outdoors in the Central Oregon Mountains.  I truly feel home...finally!  I think I really realized this when I changed my Facebook header from my picture of fields of sunflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the mountains I live in now.  I know, this sounds so funny and ridiculous but that picture was untouchable for a long time and I never could even think of changing it out because I missed Asheville so much.  But something has changed within me.  I love Asheville and will forever cherish my time there.  I miss it lots even.  However, something has clicked with me recently that wasn't entirely here before...like my bike shoes when they find their place to be clipped in to my pedals instead of sliding all over...contentment.  I'm growing here. My roots are taking hold and I'm in rich soil.  Amazing how this can finally happen when we surrender to change and allow ourselves our process as it comes.

I don't entirely know what is next in my life but I sense it is something big that I least expect.  This morning I woke up with a very clear sense of calm where I know I need to trust this process and be still for a bit as this next chapter unfolds.  The fall will bring an empty nest of sorts for me as my youngest goes to Kindergarten!  I've stayed home from my teaching career for five years now so I'm feeling a little graspy (if this isn't a word, it is now) at times recently... grasping for something that gives ME definition or my life a purpose. But I have a purpose and my next thing will come to me if I don't rush and if I'm open to using my gifts...I'm certain of it. Maybe it will be teaching and maybe it will be something I'd never imagined doing.  For now, my focus is soaking up this summer with my kids, being so so grateful that I CAN make this decision to be home with them (giving value to this personal choice), and entertaining new ideas of how I can use my mind, education, and passions/gifts.  Exciting blank canvas coming up here...I'm looking forward to painting it!

I'm ending this post with some pictures and captions and will plan to be back soon with more detailed writing on training, motherhood, goals, dreams, readings, and thoughts.  I've missed you Runninghood...I certainly am hoping to be here more often.

One happy girl after a day in the mountain sunshine, a cold mountain swim, plenty of time on the SUP, and my kids lost playing all darn day in nature!  A cold IPA was nice too!

More to say with this... After our first trail 50k!  What an experience!  And what a long time running!  And walking up looong inclines!  What I thought would be an easy sub 5hours turned out to be over 5 hours but a time I was still proud of for my first!  2nd in AG.  A well-run event with plenty of beauty, aid stations, and beer/food for the after party.  Oh, and this wonderful man next to me?  He ran it very untrained and didn't finish long after me.  Although, he's a little injured now because of it.

Third day of camping....wrapped it up with having Elk Lake darn near to myself besides a few sail boats and my kids and friends kayaking in the far distance. A quiet moment to sit on the paddle board and take it all in with a writing meditation and finishing a letter to a friend. My meditation was using my senses to take in my moment and be mindful...I SEE.... I HEAR...I FEEL... Going home happy, tired, full, and filthy!!! And my kids? They are disgusting!! Bath time tonight! Oh, and I tried my first open water swim with a wet suit but forgot the swim cap...humbling!!! And holy vertigo from the water in my ears...I looked drunk trying to walk to shore. Dear Bend peeps, please don't laugh at me if I jump in my first triathlon in a few weeks...I'll be the one breast stroking and riding my brakes down the mountain.

Ride from Sisters, OR to top of McKenzie Pass where epic views and a lava rock observatory awaited me! Wahoo! Besides a numb crotch and no brakes left on my bike on the fly down, I'm feeling on top of the world! And oh small town Sisters, you make this mountain girl's heart swoon!!

A whole gaggle of kids catching snakes for hours upon hours...their own world...entirely lost in play...filthy hands and bodies, fort building, imaginary worlds, stars so bright you feel like you're in a dream, fresh air, cool lakes, s'mores, stories by the campfire, happy dogs, building new relationships, long days...so close to home but yet worlds away! Renewal! So worth all the work to make it happen!! Memories for a lifetime.

Life is fast! But a blink of an eye. I think it's so valuable to slow ourselves down enough to reflect on just how much we really are doing... accomplishing...working through and making beautiful! This is especially true for me when I recognize those little lying voices of fear, self doubt and "not good enough" creep in this head of mine. We all have this to some extent, I think. This exercise of listing the big things in the last year was pretty powerful...the truth is on the pages! It's not about saying "Hey, look at me!" It's about recognizing our accomplishments and life high lights...when we acknowledge these things, we give life to MORe of them!  It's been a heck of a year ...from June 2014 to June 2015...so much change but in the midst of it all, there's been some pretty big and beautiful moments! It hasn't all been easy but it sure has been worth it! Thankful for this time to reflect and read my heart as I shift gears and think about my NOW goals and my goals for the road just ahead. Life, I love you.

Hope to reconnect with those of you that still write blogs and read blogs and that I truly do miss connecting with!

Amanda
Mostly on Instagram for my blog these days!