Oh, so apparently you're supposed to write more than one blog post a year! Oops. Well, finally making the time as I am inspired to tell you about my experience this past weekend at a Movement Matters retreat with Katy Bowman, biomechanist, author and all-around awesome human being. (If you're not familiar with her work I suggest you check out nutritiousmovement.com for more info, or read one of her books like Move Your DNA or

Movement Matters.)

We did movement classes (I have a great rotation exercise to share!), we ate delicious local food, we helped make our own pair of minimal footwear- that was all day one. But the second day was the big test for me, a 16 mile hike in the forest. I had never before in my life walked so far, probably not more than 6 or 7 miles in a day in recent years, and never in minimal shoes (making my feet do a lot more work). We were advised to train for it- and of course I had every intention! But after battling for 30 minutes with my daughter over raingear, getting the dog on leash, and actually heading out the door in soggy Portland, (only to have my child refuse to walk), I usually only made it about a mile or two, just hoping that one mile carrying a 26 pound toddler counts as at least 3 miles on my own.

So I was nervous about this hike- I just kept wondering, "Can I do this?"

Another word for it might be fear- fear of the unknown, fear of being uncomfortable, fear of embarrassment, pain, failure, disappointment.... There are so many reasons we can find for avoiding things that challenge us. And it’s so easy to not do new things- stay in our comfort zone. But our comfort zone is a place where nothing ever really happens, certainly no personal growth.

So despite all my misgivings, I was determined to finish this walk even if I had to crawl the last 6 miles. And now having completed it, on my own two feet, I can tell you with confidence that none of the terrible outcomes I imagined actually happened- sure I had a little pain in a foot, a little ache in one knee, but in the end, I didn’t just do the whole walk- I felt great after! I was actually a little sad when we reached the ‘finish line’, because I felt I could have kept going.

And now, because I pushed myself a little, I have so many more positive feelings to show for it: pride, joy, accomplishment, and most of all- possibility. Because now that I’ve done 16 miles, I can do more! I can do it again, I can go further- I’ve moved my personal bar a little higher.

At the end of the walk one of my trail-mates mentioned potentially walking all 30 miles of the Wildwood trail in Forest Park for the summer solstice- just a few months from now. And my brain’s initial response was “Twice what we just did? Heck no!” But that sort of habitual thought stems from many years of avoiding challenge. Thinking on it now, exercising this new "I can do it!" frame of mind, I'm more inclined to say, "Why not? What's the worst that could happen?" I'll keep you posted ;)

You can't get views like this from your couch!

Hello! This is my very first blog so bear with me. I'm told you just write what's on your mind, and I'm assuming if you're reading you're somewhat interested, (if not you can stop now) so here goes!

Exactly 18 months ago I gave birth to my little girl! It was the hardest, most amazing thing I've ever done. I was determined to go un-medicated, and proud to say I managed it, though not without a fair bit of suffering.

While these sorts of things are never what you'd expect, I definitely wasn't prepared for how my body would feel afterward. Sure I thought I'd feel a bit tired and sore, but I assumed that I would just bounce right back, having been pretty good about moving through my pregnancy. The truth is I was pretty debilitated. I had a terrible pain in my right hip that made walking excruciating. I was completely exhausted from interrupted sleep, and sitting and nursing for long periods of time in less than ideal positions. It didn't help that this was December in Portland, which hardly makes you jump to get outside. I went from being a mover to a sedentary person for several months, and it really took a toll.

When I finally got around to attending my first mom and baby Pilates class, I couldn't believe how weak I felt! My supposedly solid Pilates "core" had gone soft, I was stiff and achy all over, and movements that used to be second nature felt completely foreign, like I couldn't even find the right muscles to do the work. In other words, I was a complete beginner again! And as much as it sucked for me to feel I was starting over, I realize how important it is for me to remember this feeling- how difficult it is to get started, how frustrating it can be to work through the limitations, how hard it is to keep going. Because this is how it is for so many people when they are starting out. And I want you to know I completely understand! Even now a year and a half later, I still struggle to find the time and motivation to take care of myself. I still have not regained my full strength, but I am working on not only doing more for my body, but also on accepting my body for what it is now, and recognizing that health is a continual journey with many ups and downs. The most we can do at any point is try our best and not give up, but the key is we have to do something! If I had moved more right after birth, I would certainly be in a better space than right now, but it was an important lesson I will keep with me for the rest of my life.