Get Involved! Find Your Fitness Friends!

I just had the best running weekend!  No, it wasn't a race weekend.  It was a Skirt Sports Ambassador Meet Up! A few of us local ambassadors from the Western WA area were able to gather in Tacoma on Saturday.  We were missing quite a few of us as life is busy for everyone but 7 of us were able to gather together.

So. Much. Skirt.

So. Much. Fun.

In case you thought I couldn't count earlier as I said 7 showed up but the photos above only show 6 of us.  We had one amazing lady show up for lunch after and we're so glad she did!  

Let's face it, one of the main contributors of this outrageously wonderful time was the sun!  It's been an incredibly dark and dreary winter here in the PNW.  My last few many runs have been in the pouring rain.  The sky has spit on us, sprayed us, pelted us, swamped us, sneezed on us,  and even hacked big ol' lugies on us.  It has literally vomited rain upon us.  Like my imagery?  Well, after so long that's what it's felt like and I'm one who usually enjoys running in the rain.  It's like the PNW has had a major case of a cold/flu bug and has drowned us in its' soggy wet mess!  Yuck!

It's been a rainy run day every day

But not Sunday.  Sunday the sun showed up.  It glowed bright and just like a good dose of Sudafed can do for a cold, it cleared away the dark and dreary and replaced it with blue skies and cheerful spirits! Thank you sun!!  You were the most welcome of guests for our gathering.

What a view!  

It was a fun time seeing Ambassador's I've gotten to know over the last year as well as getting to know the gals I hadn't ever met other than online.  I also got to bring along my running buddy, Kristy, a new ambassador this year, and let her see first hand the crazy fun of Skirt Sports Sisterhood.

What makes it fun? Well, first, a group run! A young boy, probably in his teens, rode past us on his bike and called out, "Hey, it's the running moms"! That gave us all a good laugh.

 Jump shots are also fun! I know, based on the looks from those passing by, we looked a bit silly jumping over and over again but we didn't care. We were laughing and having a great time.  And getting some good exercise, too!  Yep, I'm including a lot here to entertain you.  You can scroll past quickly, if you like.

 But it's more than just skirts, running and photo ops.  When I signed up for this gig I had no idea exactly what I was getting into.  I knew I loved Skirt Sports and I loved their ideal of real clothes for real bodies.  I also had an inkling I was going to meet some new people who shared the same passion for fitness and fun that I do.  What I didn't know was how quickly I'd grow to really love this group of women!  I've made friends!  The longer I'm in the running scene the more runner's I know but Skirt Sports has taken it a step further.  I have a whole new community of women I can reach out to for encouragement, confirmation, affirmation, support and wisdom. We have facebook groups where we share our accomplishments as well as our struggles.  We share tips and strategies and lessons learned. We share sad moments and funny moments.  Oh my goodness, so much LOL going on in Skirt Sports groups!  We share our frustrations as well as our achievements.  It's a safe place to go to share our hopes, dreams and goals.  It's a place without judgement over how we look when we're doing what we're doing!  No body shaming here! No shaming others and no shaming ourselves!  Let's face it, often we're our own worst critics.  And I can't leave out our sharing of shopping tips.  For instance, how to get the package of new Skirt Sports gear from the mailbox to the closet without a spouse raising eyebrows at yet another Skirt Sports package.  Yes, that's a thing.  Shhh... don't tell my husband!  Ha!

Feel like you're missing out on all this fun because you aren't an ambassador? Well, you can always apply yourself in the future.  In the meantime, you can join the #REALwomenmove challenge. There's a group on facebook and it's for anyone who wants to set a goal in the next 12 weeks or so and reach it!  Want to run a 5K?  There's a plan written by Nicole DeBoom and her hubby Tim.  Try a tri? There's a plan for that also.

You can also simply look up Skirt Sports Ambassadors and start following them on Instagram and their blogs.  Search the #REALwomenmove hashtag.  Interact, comment, and get inspired!  Take your own inspiring photos and use the hashtag yourself!  You don't have to be an ambassador to get in on the fun of #REALwomenmove!  The short of it is this:  Get involved!  The more people you hang with who share your goal of being fit, the more likely you are to stick it out yourself when life tempts you to give up.  You know you don't want to give up, right? Of course not!  So get out there, make some connections, and move!  Connections can be found all around you.  The gym, school, work, church, running stores, running groups, facebook groups, trails, parks...so many options.

There are all kinds of groups out there so keep looking until you find one that fits YOU!  Or feel free to start your own group!

Are you a speedy speedster?  Find a group with fellow fast folk!

More of waddler?  Ever heard of running Penguins?  Yes, that's a legit name for those who follow John "the Penguin" Bingham, known for his slower pace, and husband of Coach Jenny Hadfield.  Look him up! Hey, look up Jenny, too!

Maybe you run for the after run grub? Trust me, you are not alone! 

Want a group who likes to stop midway for those awesome photo opportunities for Instagram later?  Well, I KNOW there are groups like that out there!  LOL!  

I'm so happy to have found all the groups and people I've had over the years who have helped me keep the motivation to keep running.  It isn't always easy and having friends join you for the trip makes it so much easier.  Not easy, mind you, but easier.  And a heck of a lot more fun! Now, go find your tribe and take some jump shots together!

Oh, and in case you missed it, Skirt Sports has some great new styles out.  Here's a little preview of some of my new packages I slipped through the door from my mailbox and into my closet.
(Left to Right: Hover Capri in Clarity, Mod Quad in Clarity, Hover in Clarity, Mod Quad in Persevere and Racecation Tank, Back of prior outfit, Cascade Skirt and Super Girl Tank in Persevere, Hover Capri in Persevere, Pockettopia Capris in Persevere)  Until the end of March 2017 you can use code 1SSCAPT20 for 20% off.  April will have a new code for the same great discount!

I do receive some compensation as a Skirt Sports Ambassador but this blog post is all my own idea and I am not being compensated for writing it.  I write only because I truly do love this brand and want to share them with you, cause I share what I like with those I like!  Also, I need to thank ambassadors Marie and Kriss for their awesome photography skills with selfie settings and timers!  

Accept It. It's Not Always Easy to Get Out the Door.

Coffee or run? Why choose one? Coffee and then run!

Same day.  Two different friends. Two different conversations.  Same topic.

What was this popular topic of conversation?  One I'm sure you've had yourself.  You've probably discussed it with your friends.  You've probably had the conversation with yourself as you're rolling out of bed in the morning, sitting on the couch with Netflix, chowing through that bag of chips. searching through your drawers for your favorite running tights or skirt, lacing up your shoes, and finally, as you're opening your front door.

The conversation starts many ways.
It's hard.
I don't feel like it.
I don't want to go.
I'm tired.
I'm so busy.
I worked out yesterday.
It's too cold out.
It's too hot out.
I'll go later.

Yes, both conversations today had to do with getting oneself out the door to workout and how hard that can be.  The first conversation was with my faithful running partner.  She just happened to text me about the possibility of running together as I was parking my car at the trailhead to go for a run. 10 minutes later my planned solo run turned into a fun companionship run.  I love timing like that!  We were both glad to have the company as we had both recently struggled to find the mojo to run.  She, the day prior when a snow storm interrupted our planned group hill workout.  She never did make it out the door.  I do give her props for the yoga workout she got in as I think that totally counts! While I had managed to push myself that day to get my hill work done on the treadmill, I confessed it was a struggle to do it.  I think I took 2 hours debating the best time to run it and changed in and out of my running clothes twice.  Granted, I was trying to work it around some weird snow day school schedules but that wasn't the reason I was struggling.  I was struggling because the couch, three DVR'd episodes of The Walking Dead (consider it motivation for marathon training - I can outrun the undead), and a mug of hot chocolate were calling my name.  And even though I was dressed for our impromptu girls run, I still had debated for an hour or two whether or not I would run that day. I ran yesterday, you know. I love to run.  I need to run.  And yet, I often struggle to take those first few running steps.

My second conversation happened a couple hours later at a friends house as I was dropping off a Skirt Sports gift certificate I was donating for an auction benefit.  It wasn't surprising that our conversation turned to the #REALwomenmove movement inspired by Skirt Sports. Real women. Who move. In their real bodies.  Love it!  The conversation found itself gravitating to the very real struggle it can be to move our real bodies.  My friend shared she found it inspiring that I am so faithful in my running.  I'm always out there, moving.

Well, since we're talking about real bodies let's be real about my running dedication.  It. Isn't. Always. Easy. Sometimes I skip a run.  Or two.  Sometimes I'd rather watch Netflix (how do you think I caught up on the previous 6 seasons of The Walking Dead in just a couple months - I wasn't on the treadmill). You know what?  Oftentimes, this real body doesn't want to move!  I'm not sure if it's the brain that tells the body it is tired or if it's the body that tells the brain it's a good day to be lazy or perhaps they conspire together but regardless, the end game is the same...I struggle to move.  I fight it.  I hem.  I haw.  I tell myself it's okay, that I ran enough miles last week to carry me through this week.  And it's not just running!  Strength training, yoga, pilates, cycling, swimming, even my fun hula hoop, they are all sometimes met with less than stellar excitement.  Sometimes, it's a simple case of "but I don't wanna'itis".

So how does one push through?

Accept it.

Accept that some days are simply going to be harder than others.  Yep, this running and working out and being healthy gig isn't always fun.  It doesn't always come naturally.  And That's Okay!

It's okay!

Really, it is!  The best things in life don't come easily.  Well, okay, chocolate and coffee can be pretty easy to get but that's different.  I'm talking about the life changing, life enhancing things you push for, strive for, fight for ... those things that make you feel like a kick butt, powerful, I dug through the mud and rocks and climbed the mountain and came out stronger for it; a humble, grateful and blessed soul.  It's the stuff you're really proud about accomplishing simply because it wasn't easy.  It was hard.  And yet it didn't stop you.  So when it's hard, accept that it's hard.  Sometimes it even sucks. Yep, straight up sucks to step outside the door and take those first few steps.  But then you take the next two steps.  And three.  And fifty.  And before you know it you've taken 1000, then 5000, 10,000 and things are feeling really, really good.  When you reach that good point, stop, take a moment and breath it in.

This.

This is why you do it.  This is why you push through the suck. This is why you force yourself out the door. It's not about numbers on a scale, or how your clothes fit. Yes, those are great benefits but let's face it, they don't always change.  Don't make it about that stuff.  Make it about how you feel.  Judge your progress by how long it takes you before you get winded, how much farther down the road you made it before needing to pause and rest.  Make it about how many more reps you were able to do before muscle fatigue, how long you can hold that plank, how many push ups you can successfully complete, how deep you can delve into a stretch.  Make it about finding a natural, easy breathing pattern as you swim farther and longer.  You can even judge it by the ability of your rear to withstand the bike seat (yes, I think that's a huge item to celebrate).  It is these changes that keep you committed, day after day, week after week, month after month, and hopefully, year after year.  These are the reasons you keep going, keep pushing, keep kicking your butt out the door to the pavement, the gym, your home workout room, the pool, wherever it is you're getting your fit on.  Do it for the accomplishment, the reward of sacrifice.  It is a sacrifice.  Completely! A total sacrifice!  We sacrifice time, energy, money, and probably other stuff I can't think of right now.  But out of sacrifice comes growth.  We grow when we push our boundaries, push our reality, push our expectations, push our pre-conceived notions of who we are.

But here's the other truth.  Sometimes, real women don't move.

And that's okay.

We all have days when we don't make it out the door.  We all have days when sleep, the tv, Facebook (hello, world wide web time suck) or, let's face it, life, win.  There are many, many things that interfere with our motivation. That's real.  That's life.  One day, two days, a week, a month ... it doesn't matter.

It. Doesn't. Matter.

Get back up.  Find those shoes you threw in the corner and left, maybe even forgot about.  Lace them back up.  They'll forgive you.  Your body will forgive you.  It will be grateful you didn't give up.  Just don't give up.  Start and start again, as many times as it takes.  You've got this!  Eventually, it does get easier.  Those "can't push myself out the door" days get fewer and fewer because the memory of the "this feels awesome" triumphs becomes stronger and stronger.  Oh yes, the mind and body do remember the good! Yep, you've got this!

I fail a lot.  At so many things, in so many ways, on so many days.  But fortunately, Christ doesn't fail me.  He has always got my back.  He's always holding me, steadying me, pushing me, encouraging me, forgiving me.  When all else fails, seek Him!  Yes, I'm reminding myself here, too. Give it to Him! Tell Him you're struggling.  I won't promise it will suddenly become super simple. It might. All things are possible. But it might not. He teaches us through the struggles.  Struggle teaches us reliance, reliance on Him and reliance on others.  The help He offers might come in the form of a friend who shares your goals, inspires you, cheers for you, kicks your butt when you're being a whiny baby, or holds your hand and offers a hug and maybe a gentle nudge or permission to rest when you're genuinely standing in front of a road block. Be open to others. There is a huge community of people out there who are facing the same struggle as you to open the door and step outside. We've all heard don't judge a book by its cover.  Just because someone looks like it's easy for them doesn't mean it always has been, or currently is, or always will be, easy. So open that door, step outside, get involved, make this a part of who you are. Find inspiration in those God has placed around you and in turn, inspire them!

Accept it.

Accept help.
Accept the struggle.
Acccept the success.
Accept a new identity.

You can be a runner, a cyclist, a swimmer, a triathlete, a 5Ker, a marathoner, a cross-fitter, a boot camper, a hiker, a walker.  You can be a woman (or man, I won't be sexist here) who moves!

I'm really excited for you (and me) because I know we've got this!

If you want to check out the #REALwomenmove movement head on over here:
#REALwomenmove
If you want to shop on their site you can use discount code 1SSCAPT20 for 20% off.  However, there is a sale on the sale happening now through March 12th and for items with special sale prices you can use code SALE20.
I am a Skirt Sports Ambassador but I share my love of #REALwomen move because I love it's message, not because I gain anything from doing so.