VISION BOARDING 2021!!!

 I've always been one to set pretty big goals. And... to be honest I usually don't fully commit to the goals until I have broken down how I am going to get there into smaller steps and set a plan that I am comfortable with. THEN comes the fun part -- the execution of said plan!

Over the years, I've found that creating a vision board (or something similar) goes along with this and keeps me excited along the way. So, this year with the TRANS ROCKIES RUN in August, I thought the best way to keep myself motivated and on track was a vision board.

AND HERE IT IS!

I centered it with the Trans Rockies logo, as that is the big goal for the year. I then I filled it with reminders of why I am doing it, inspirational mantras to keep me going, fun things along the way (like Havasupai and lake trip!) and a few images from the past that I hope to "repeat" (ie, more camping with the fam, backpacking with the little, etc.). All steps and things to keep me motivated and get me to my goal!

I can't honestly say I had a horrible 2020. Was it different? Yes. Did I miss out on things? Of course. But I tried to focus on what I could do and cherish the positives that came out of the last year. So while I don't look at 2020 as a bust, I am using this board to really highlight and delight in the things I am looking forward to in 2021.

The best part of this is I am already living it. The quote at the top about needing a plan for your goal came from Kelly on a run. Find your power, find your purpose -- a little nugget I picked up from a Peloton ride. Not only are these things on my board, but they are part of my people and what I am trying to ascribe to. Even though my race isn't until August, I feel like I am putting the time in now. And I LOVE IT!!!

Adventures in Snowshoeing - Lesson #1: Wear Your Snowshoes.

Yes, yesterday I tried to hike a peak. I thought it would be no big deal. Summit County has had less than its share of snow this year, and recently almost NONE, so the majority of trails are very packed down with snow. This has been bad (for skiers and the environment) but good (sorta) for hikers. It makes it much easier to access the trails (they are not lost under snow) and easier to maneuver on them. Thus far, I've managed to get pretty high up with microspikes on, and I have loved it!

Humbug Hill with Ross

Top of Mt. Royal with Stacey!

On Ptarmigan with Christin! 

So, when my schedule said to "hike a peak" I thought PERFECT! I will go up to Wheeler Lakes. Technically not a peak, but it is a lot of climbing and I had not done this trail in years -- YEARS! -- and, when I did do it, it was in the summer. I have some pretty good memories of this hike in the summer, so why not try it in the winter?

Here's my favorite memory -- this was the first hike we ever did where we awarded the kids with
a mini soda at the top. Boy, did they LOVE IT!!!

Disclaimer: I don't really like "snowshoeing". I guess I find snowshoes cumbersome and hard to manage. When we invested in snowshoes many years ago, I got the best "running snowshoes" on the market and STILL felt like it was hard to hike, let alone run in them. It is probably me. And that I just need to spend more time getting used to them, etc. etc. 

So when I showed up at the trailhead, and the path looked somewhat packed down, I thought "eh, I'll go with my microspikes, no need for snowshoes." Oh, the lies we tell ourselves.

Lesson #1: When going on a snowshoe hike, wear your snowshoes.

The first 3/4 mile is a connector from parking to the trail, and within the first quarter-mile, I was contemplating turning around and getting my snowshoes from the car, but... maybe if I just go a little further? And, sure as sh*t, when I got to the main trail, it was packed down -- SWEET! See, I knew those instincts were wrong. And, so I went, happy as a clam to be hiking in the winter. Good views, awesome weather, etc. etc. Totally in my happy place.

Lesson #2: Just because you CAN do it without snowshoes, doesn't necessarily mean that you SHOULD do it without snowshoes.

See that there? (below) I look at the trail now and realize how much easier it probably would have been if I just TOOK/PUT ON THE DARNED SNOWSHOES. But, I think my "I can do this" and fear of using something I wasn't totally comfortable with held me back. 

So I kept going!!! Until I couldn't. 

There was a spot where the trail split in two, and neither looked very manageable. I went one way and postholed some. No bueno. So I went back and went the other way and was postholing up to my thigh. It was at that point that I was worried I might not be able to get out at some point. And, being alone, wanted to be smart. Plus, postholing is no fun. 

So, I turned around here:

Turnaround point.

I kinda wish I had a picture of myself sunk into the snow, just to show you how bad/stupid I was for trying without snowshoes, but (a) I was alone and (b) I wasn't exactly chipper about that at the moment. More frustrated with the snow, and that I would be turning around...

Lesson #3: Just because you don't hit the destination, doesn't mean you can't check off some other goals on the way!!!

The second half of the hike, I got to conquer another of my fears -- running down in the snow. Now, it was slow... and it wasn't always running. And, I did my share of falling (thankful the snow was forgiving!!!) But, the other hikes I went on I didn't run down and this time I was determined to at least try. Try  I did. Fall I did. Maybe next time, I will do it (the falling) less.

Overall, I was so glad I did this hike! (I guess you can't really call it a snowshoe because I left the snowshoes in the car! See: Lesson #1.) It was such a pretty morning to get out and be adventurous. I am slowly getting out of my shell I have been in the past couple years, and getting back to some things I love. It is amazing how you can change (without even knowing) and take so long to figure out that you like being one way over another. I am starting to get back there. It'll be a journey, but here I am. 

This also brings me back to this blog. I haven't written in it in almost 2 years. 2 YEARS!!! I stopped writing regularly a long time before that because I thought, "who really wants to read what I have to write" and... that may be true! But what I realize is that I am not doing it for anyone else, just myself. I want to record these adventures and have something to look back on. Even if it is NOT getting to the top of a peak today. I need to love life and ALL the adventures it brings. As well as continue to take them and make memories!

Cheers! and, if you have made it this far, thanks for reading.