Disclaimer: While this post does end with some chatter about communities and companies it is not a sponsored post. I’m sharing about Bold Betties because I think it’s a great community and about the Trail Running Camps + Conference because it’s a great opportunity to talk trails and get to know locals + athletes!

Sometimes life is terrifying. That moment when you are required to step outside of your cozy, cuddly comfort zone and into the reality of your decisions…it’s scary. But it doesn’t have to be. Well, maybe it does have to be a little scary, that’s where all the adrenaline and anticipation builds from. But it doesn’t have to be paralyzing.

In the past year I have done some pretty insane things, things I didn’t think were possible. I ran my first ultra marathon and loved it. I started a brand new job based around an adventurous lifestyle. I impulse registered for a 24 hour race and got a PDR in the first 7 hours. I survived my first 50 mile race, and my second. I hated my life for the last 8 miles of the Four Pass Loop. I DNF’ed my first [two] races. I made my first ever PT appointment and ended up experiencing dry needling on my first visit. And in a few days I’m taking on my first 100 mile race with an undertrained body but the confidence to cover the distance, no matter my pace.

None of that would have happened if I hadn’t tentatively stepped my comfort zone and onto the single track of the Front Range trails. Nor would have I survived any of teary lows without an incredible group of friends that were also there to share the giddy highs. I discovered trail running before I knew there was such a thing as “trail therapy” and now I kind of live for it, or because of it.

I guess what I’m trying to say, in that complete mess of sentimental weirdness, is that time spent on the trails is pretty incredible. And if you give yourself the chance to take a risk and try something scarily new you’ll learn things about yourself that surprise even you. You’ll be able to push your body past the limits YOU set for IT. And along the way you just might learn who you are and figure out who you really want to be.

The people who run trails and ultras tend to be pretty awesome [I mean, have you met me? Okay, bad joke, but really…myself aside, they are pretty great!] and more often than not they are quick to support each other. Advice is given freely, salt tabs and gels are shared, mishaps are only mocked for a few miles and no discussion about bodily functions is off limits, ever. We’re all out there for the same reason – to get in some quality trail time so we can do it all over again tomorrow – and we’re all willing to help each other out along the way. We’re stupid, we’re crazy and we’re insanely enabling!

If you’re one of those trail running crazier and happen to be in the Colorado area with a little free time October 10-11 you should consider heading over to Estes Park for the Trail Running Conference. It’s a great opportunity to get together with local runners, chat with professional athletes [they’re approachable and full of knowledge, I promise!] and check out the new gear coming out for trail running. Plus, it’s only $45 for two days of trail talk…you can’t go wrong with that, right?!

[And if you want more than just a few days of casual trail talk check out the Active at Altitude Trail Camps – there is still one 2014 camp left!]

Of course, just because it was the trails for me doesn’t mean it’ll be the trails for you but why not give them a try? Get outside, play, explore, run, hike, bike, trip, fall, crash, pick yourself back up… Find what you love. And if you can, do it all with friends.

If you’re in the Denver/Boulder area and are looking for someone to go exploring with you need to check out Bold Betties. It’s a community of women in the area that get together and explore. They try new things [ziplining, hiking, river rafting, etc] and they do it together…because it’s easier to take that step into the unknown when you’re not alone.

And it’s not just about going out with a group. If you’re already headed out solo or with friends but not sure what to pack Bold Betties can help! They have crazy detailed packing lists that make my color coordinated lists look like children’s drawings! You can also rent gear so you’re prepared for whatever trip your crazy family and friends plan for you! Basically, if you’re a woman who wants to get outside more but aren’t sure where to start Bold Betties is there for you!

Categories: life

8 Comments

Beth · September 9, 2021 at 6:55 am

I am so excited for you! RRR is going to be amazing. I wish I could go spectate but I will be out of town for work. I will be sending you good vibes from Florida. Have a great day (or two) you got this!

    Heidi Nicole · September 11, 2021 at 9:25 am

    Thanks for all the support — I’m excited to get this started! (and absolutely terrified, but we’re ignoring that!)

Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb · September 9, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Trail runners are a different breed…..and I love them! Wish I could hit the trails more often than I do but it’s like nothing else to be out there in the wild.

    Heidi Nicole · September 11, 2021 at 9:29 am

    They are so weird. Or, maybe, more appropriately, we are so weird! Yea, you’re counted in that “we”…you go hang out on the trails in running shoes just for fun! 🙂

Laura · September 9, 2021 at 3:06 pm

Oh, wow! I am in the Bold Betties meetup group (and organized the trip to Fitness on the Rocks) but had no idea they had a website as well!

I’m really intrigued by that conference, even though I am still SO not a trail runner. (In case you couldn’t tell by my lack of email back about RRR, I have not hit the trails or done a long run even once. Oops.) Thinking the conference might be a good experience for me to learn more about it though, so let me know if you are going.

GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!!! Next week we should try to meet up to toast and so I can hear all the stories… it’s been way too long since I got to see you.

    Heidi Nicole · September 11, 2021 at 9:31 am

    Ha — that’s crazy! Well, now you have a place to rent gear from! #noexcuses

    You should look into that conference! Let me know if you end up going, I’m trying to finagle a few things with work. I’m currently trying and failing, but that could change…

    Thanks for all the support with everything! We’ll get out on trails, soon!

Chris · September 13, 2021 at 10:48 pm

Well done on the race! I can’t even wrap my mind around running 100 miles. However, I agree. Try something scary. If you don’t succeed then try something scary again 🙂

    Heidi Nicole · September 16, 2021 at 11:22 am

    You know what’s scary? Taking on a 100 mile race…you should try it sometime! 😉

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