musingsoflulu

[musingsoflulu]

Feeling nostalgic about the magic of Boston on this Monday Marathon Eve

MONDAYS ARE FOR MARATHONS

#boston marathon #Boston 2018

[musingsoflulu]

You look so sweet together in that second pic. Wishing you all the best ♡♡♡

Thank you! The first trimester sucked, but heading into spring with that behind me feels really great. We are so excited!

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After a loss, it’s sometimes hard to accept joy again. Over and over the past few months, I’ve had to keep saying to myself “but what if it’s good??”

We are so excited to be expecting a little bébé this fall! 🥰

#pregnancy #miscarriage tw #oregon

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Spring evening walkies just hit different 🤌🏼

#Harper #oregon

[musingsoflulu]

If you feel comfortable sharing, where do you live? (I don't mean specific city, just state/country/etc) your pictures look gorgeous!

Hi! I live in Central Oregon 🥰 and yes! I am so lucky to live here!

[musingsoflulu]

What trail shoes do you run in? 😋

I always come back to the Hoka Speedgoats! They’re comfortable for long runs right out of the box. They do have a more narrow footbed. I usually get my usual size and order it in a wide (as opposed to the Hoka Cliftons which I order a half size up).

#answered

[musingsoflulu]

A little Saturday solo jaunt ☀️

#weekends #trail running #oregon

[musingsoflulu]

Hey Laura, hope you're doing well! Can I ask what bladder you use in your dark blue (soloman I think?) hydration pack?

Hi! I think it’s an older version of this one but you can probably find a cheaper non-Salomon branded one. All the bladders I’ve used in the past are made by Hydrapak, but they all eventually start leaking and I have to replace. However, this specific Salomon has held up the past 2 higher mileage running seasons so maybe it is a bit higher quality? I have no idea.

[musingsoflulu]

This might be a random question, but how did you meet/ get to know all of your girlfriends? Your life looks so full of friendship and love, and love of the same activities. I am inspired to try to build more friendships like that!!

This is maybe the most heartwarming ask I’ve ever received.

Many of these friendships happened organically over the years! Some (Tess) are actually from Tumblr, some are serendipitous (I met Keiren on a run in Smith Rock in 2021), some happened because I said yes to a spontaneous adventure (Dani, Claire, Alli), and some are from middle school (Kat). I also know a lot of my friends through Dani, who is a very warm person and makes friends everywhere she goes.

I think meeting friends doesn’t have to be hard. But just like any relationship, building meaningful relationships takes time and energy and intention. I care very deeply for all of my friends and try to make sure I reach out regularly; create space and time for them. One thing about me is that I hardly ever flake out on plans. So I try to make sure I’m dependable and fully there for the people in my life. Dani moved to Idaho, but we still text, have FaceTime dates, and make plans to see each other. Tess and Keiren don’t live in Bend, but we want to see each other semi-regularly so we do. Kat lives in California, but I talk to her on the phone every week.

I feel really so lucky to have surrounded myself with intentional and dependable friends. It does make my life feel very full, even when things are hard.

It’s hard to give advice on something like this, but I’d say keep yourself open and vulnerable, say yes to things even when you’re feeling introverted (if you’re surrounding yourself with the right people, they will fill your cup up, not drain it), and be a person that can rely on others and also be relied on. ♥️

[musingsoflulu]

Weird question, but where is that backpack (first image) with the indian paintbrushes from? I got a hat from glacier np years ago with that exact print that I love and I am so pleasantly surprised to see it on another item!!! It would be awesome if it's a legit store I could buy more stuff from

It’s a local company in Bend that the woman in the giraffe costume actually owns! The company is called Free Range and they collaborate with artists, including Rachel Pohl (the artist who painted the Indian paintbrushes) to create bags, totes, fanny packs, etc. Their stuff is beautiful and super well made. Highly recommend you check them out!

You can also check out Rachel Pohl’s website. She sells merch of her beautiful art.

[musingsoflulu]

Spring?! Is that you?? It’s me, Margaret. 🍃 I’m coming out of winter hibernation and feeling so excited for budding leaves and warmer weather here in the Cascades

Birthday miles for Claire with dog party hats and giraffes on bikes and post-run donuts

Escaped over the pass for a night down in the Willamette National Forest

Buttery single track and easy miles on one of my favorite trails in Oregon on the way back

#weekends #trail running #Oregon

[musingsoflulu]

The best weekends are when you hardly have any photos to show for it. Tess came down from Portland for an epic downhill ski day- blue bird skies and minimal wind. We played all over the mountain and then passed out on the couch at 8:30 PM watching High School Musical.

#weekends #skiing

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KB came to visit me this weekend and we had such a fun time classic skiing, going to Winterfest with my other fave Aussie, Bronnie, and Logan, taking snowy walks, napping, and snuggling with movies on the couch.

#weekends #Oregon

[musingsoflulu]

Hi Laura, I'm training for my second marathon right now and idk how else to say this but it seems like I'm gaining weight and while I know weight/what you look like isn't everything in life it makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel sluggish and heavy and not invigorated and excited. I run in the mornings, eat healthy, drink water etc. I will say that my job is WFH so I don't move much outside of those morning runs. I just don't feel good and was wondering if you had any insight?

Hi friend- I can only offer insight from my own personal experience. I gained weight involuntarily leading up to the 100 mile race and then even after the race was over. We were never able to figure out the issue, but I really think it was related to immense stress on my body and adrenal/hormone dysregulation from training.

You may want to go see your primary care provider and get some blood work done just to make sure your thyroid and testosterone/DHEA levels look okay, too. We checked this and this was one of the reasons I was misdiagnosed with PCOS.

The thing that helped me most? Taking a step back from training, walking more, doing very low HR runs, and just generally running when I wanted to, not because I felt like I had to. I also started taking cold showers, doing breath work, and now I do cold plunges to calm my nervous system down: It took me probably 8 months total to feel normal again but it was a pretty extreme case I think due to my 100 miler.

If you aren’t doing things that help calm your nervous system down, you need to! We activate our sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system with running but you do have to counteract that to have balance. The cold showers, mindful breathing and walking, reading- can all help. My friend Hannah calls it “The Great Slowing Down.” 🥰

All of that to say you are soooo much more than your weight and your body can and will continue to do incredible things. I know we feel pressure as runners to fit a certain mold and body type. But I encourage you to follow runners with all sorts of body types as a reminder that runners come in all shapes and sizes. I love Latoya Shauntay, Mirna Valerio, Lucy Bartholomew, Alison Mariella Desir, Tessa Chesser. Just a few that come to mind!

#answered

[musingsoflulu]

Capitola, California | February 10, 2023

#weekends #California

[musingsoflulu]

Sunday spent with second cups of tea, some journaling, and cozy reading.

#weekends

[musingsoflulu]

Today was a very good day ♥️