Stepping Stones

This is a repost. I came across this little gem cleaning up the archives—a reminder of something I needed to hear today. Read and be encouraged my friends.

While taking a walk along the beach, recovering from having finished the LJ100 just days before, I found something buried in the sand. I thought it might be a fossil as the rock, which was gradually being uncovered by the lapping waves, appeared to have markings on it. The kids would love to add a fossil to their growing 'beach treasures' collection and so I kicked it out of the sand with my feet, then washed it in the lake water.

When I turned it over I discovered that what I thought was the fossil imprint was actually hand writing. Someone had written the message "ENDURE."

A fitting treasure for the summation of a journey that was my Lumberjack 100 experience. I keep the rock in my living room, an immutable testament to an accomplishment I once thought never possible.

Today I went for a 5k run around our neighborhood. The pavement was still wet from yesterdays thaw and yet the wind was biting with snow flurries. Running in March. In Michigan.

I couldn't help but think about the last time I trained for the River Bank Run 25k—running the same 5k route on the same March day some years ago. I set a lofty goal for myself that year: to finish in under 2:21:00. The previous year I had a finished at 2:31:06. Expecting to shave my time by 10 minutes was setting the bar high. In fact, anyone I mentioned this goal to strongly urged me to lower my expectations. I was glad I never revealed my true goal of seeing a 2:15 on the clock. A time that would require a pace faster than I had ever recorded over any distance, including a measly *3-mile 5k race.

I ended up running a 2:13:03.

The roads and paths of my neighborhood are much like that rock—a physical, tangible reminder of a dream made real. A testament of hard work, perseverance, and commitment.

What is my purpose in sharing this? I believe its important to mark our accomplishments so that on a day like today—a day where running feels as foreign as visiting Mars, where my schedule is in a vice, my body tired and sore, and the landscape between myself and my 'goal' has collapsed in an expanse equivocal to the Grand Canyon—I can recall having been there before. And, that eventually, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Days like today, even seasons filled with weeks of days like today, are a necessary part of the journey. Big Dreams aren't achieved without the grueling, relentless, suffering work.

And each dream accomplished is not merely 'something we once did' but rather the rocks that build the foundation of our lives. I know that's a deep thought. But its true. The characteristics we gain from sport: commitment, dedication, goal-setting, hard work, perseverance, endurance—everything we do in our athletic lives (be it running or mountain biking or swimming . . . ) translates into every other aspect of our lives. How we conduct ourselves in our careers, how we parent, how we relate in our marriages.

Take some time today, remember your accomplishments and all the things you thought weren't possible, maybe it was running that first mile or going on your first mountain bike ride. Be encouraged and motivated by that experience and use it as a stepping stone to the next big thing in your life.

*I know I am being redundant, but some people are unaware that a "5k race" is not a type of race but rather represents the distance, which is 3.1 miles.

Spring is Springing

It was almost 60 degrees in Muskegon today. There's still a few snow piles but the sunshine and warmer temps means that its time for this fair weather cyclist to dust off the fleet and put on the spandex.

This year is going to be a good one with the inaugural season of GRBC's first youth cycling team and Sage and I snagged two of the lasts spots for the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic. I've wanted to attend this clinic for years. It has a great reputation and looks like a blast. Check out the video below:



 
Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic (Filmed with Movi) from Stephen McGee Films on Vimeo.

Happy New Yurts!

The Yurt. It is handicap accessible.

I've had many people ask about our experience camping in the Yurt at Muskegon State Park. We had a wonderful time and definitely recommend it. Below is some information on our stay and some things to consider if you are planning to visit the Yurt.

What I liked:

1. It's nestled amongst the trails and trees of one of my favorite places, Muskegon State Park/Muskegon Luge and Sports Complex!
2. There are miles of trail outside the door and Lake Michigan is, hmmmm, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile walk away. 
3. It's simple. No electricity, no water, no bathroom, no kitchen. It's a glorified tent with bunk beds, a wood burning stove and a board game. 

Things to know if you go:

1. Bring a lantern and flashlight or headlamps. While the woods were illuminated by the snowfall and light of the moon, it was dark inside the yurt. 
2. Pack water, food, plates and utensils. There are two small burners atop the wood burning stove for a small frying pan or tea kettle. We kept things simple by bringing granola bars and bananas. We ordered Hobo's Pizza for dinner and went out for breakfast. The closest restaurant is 5 miles away, so if you plan to eat out, know you are in for a bit of a drive. 
3. There are two sets of bunk beds. One bunk has a queen size base. There are several cots available for use as well. Bring sleeping bags and pillows.
4. It takes awhile to get the wood stove cranking enough to heat up the yurt, but once you do it is a toasty retreat from the winter cold.
5. While there isn't a bathroom, an outhouse is located 30 yards away. Or use a tree. 
6. My son relieved himself on the picnic table at 2:30 AM so . . . bring a table cloth.
7. You will not have a cell phone signal while in the park.
8. You can reserve the Yurt a year in advance. It does fill up on weekends. If you think you want to go in 2015, make your reservations now. 

Our Yurtcation

Saturday 

2 PM  

The kids and I arrive at the Yurt with bedding and snacks. We are able to carry all of our supplies in one trip, trekking the 30 yards from car to Yurt. While the kids made the beds, I began building a fire in the wood stove. It didn't take long to get it going--as my son Bear said proudly, Mom! You sure can build a fire, for a girl! Proud and offended at his exclamation, I struggled with what to say to guide his forming views of gender roles but ultimately decided to let my actions do the talking.
The campground provides wood, tinder and a lighter. 

2:30 PM 

We depart to run some errands and attend Sage's indoor soccer game.

6:30 PM

Sage and I finally make it back to the Yurt. The fire is out but there are hot coals. It's dark and all I have is a light that I pulled off my bike. I'm not sure how how much battery life is left, but I set it up in the middle of the yurt and go to work rebuilding the fire.
Sage settles in her top bunk with a flashlight and book.

7:00 PM

The men arrive with Hobo's pizza and friends join us after their winter night hike. We find folding chairs stacked inside a little table. There's plenty of room for everyone. I put water on the stove for hot cocoa. The children take off for the sledding hill.

It is snowing but inside the yurt it sounds like it is raining.  I put Jiffy-Pop on the stove and it doesn't pop so we leave it there, thinking the stove is not hot enough yet.

The kids are sledding, the adults hang out around the lantern. Log bunk bed with queen base is pictured.

8:30 PM
Our friends depart and we jammie-it-up* before settling down for a rousing game of "Camping Out," a Michigan State Parks Board Game, provided by the campground. Chad has brought a lantern and it is a stellar replacement for the bike light.

The yurt smells like burnt popcorn. Chad has an "aha" moment, we were supposed to remove the packaging before placing the Jiffy-Pop on the stove. Good thing we have more! Our second attempt at making popcorn goes without a hitch and we all enjoy a buttery treat.

Playing "Camping Out"

9:30 PM
Mom and dad are tired which, by default, means so are the children.

Everyone goes outside and grabs a fistful of snow. We let it melt in our palms before swishing it around in our mouth and chewing on fresh mint I found growing a few yards from the Yurt. Just kidding, we brushed our teeth with chemical-laden toothpaste. After that we wandered outside to our individual trees for one last bathroom break.

10:00 PM
It is a tradition in our family to tell stories and legends. The kids asked for me to tell them their favorite stories of Scout and Blacky**. These are completely of my own invention which works out well for me as I can change them anyway I want to and it will always be correct, unlike my failed attempts to retell traditional camp stories.

We do a "Waltons Family"*** good night before lights out.

Sunday
2:30 AM
A herd of elephants, otherwise known as my children, invade the Yurt. Everyone needs a drink of water. Bear, who has somehow lost his jammies and is completely naked, puts on his boots and stomps outside to relieve himself.

We put more wood in the stove. Our once sweltering abode is starting to get chilly.

4:30 AM
Two children need another cup of water and another bathroom break. It works out as it's time to feed the fire. I am surprised at how comfortable the kids are going outside to use the bathroom on their own.

8:00 AM
Everyone is up. There is almost 5" of fresh snow on the ground. We put on our snow gear and head outside for sledding. We hike the trails in search of exciting new sledding routes. The sun is rising over the sand dunes.

10:00 AM
I'm hungry and I didn't pack coffee. I tell everyone its time for breakfast. We see a Golden Eagle who is in the same frame of mind and is on the hunt for food.

We go to Mr. B's for pancakes and bottomless mugs of caffeine.

Noon
Back at the Yurt, the kids head out for more hiking and sledding while Chad and I clean up. Guests at the Yurt are asked to let the fire die down and sweep up. Everyone is sad to leave the Yurt but we are all happy and tired and thankful for our time together. We sign the Guest Log before locking the door behind us.

The End.

*The act of removing one's daytime clothing and replacing them with evening attire, otherwise known as pajamas.
**Scout is a boy of 6 or 7 years of age with no mom or dad. Blacky is his trusty dog, with a coat of fur darker than a moonless night and is as large as a bear. Scout rides on the back of Blacky just as a man rides a horse. Scout wears a cowhide hat, carries his prized red lasso across his chest and a knife in his back pocket. Scout and Blacky have many adventures that take place in the early 1800's on the prairie.
***Good night, John-Boy! Good night, Elizabeth. Good night, Mary Ellen. Good night, Jim Bob.

Hobo's Pizzeria and Mr. B's are Gluten Free friendly restaurants.