Hey, I’m Beckey. I’m just about to start my third season of snowboarding, I live in Bend, and I’m still firmly in my beginner-ish era. I started snowboarding at 40, and I’m all about giving yourself some credit. Because snowboarding is hard!
If you’re learning new outdoor stuff a little later in life or just want to feel less alone on the struggle bus, follow me! Let’s do this together. Expect lots of progression updates, a little bit of chaos, gear opinions, and snack breaks. I’m glad you’re here, I can already tell you’re my kind of people. 💋
I eat candy on the trail.
I will turn around if there’s too much snow or too many mosquitos.
I will stop to take a video of literally everything.
I will say hi to every single dog but not their humans.
I will get angry if I slip at a river crossing and my sock gets wet.
I do not care about my pace.
Medium outdoorsy. Fully happy.
Welp,
I guess we’re running now.
3.3 miles.
Goal was 3.1 (5K).
I know, the video looks like I’m throwing up, but I didn’t (!!)
However my face stayed red for almost 2 hours afterward.
So.
Not sure what that means medically.
But emotionally?
Huge day for me.
Any running tips are gladly accepted, as I have no idea what I’m doing.
After college I got married. Shortly after that I had my first baby. Then my second. Then my third.
My 20s were strollers and park dates and bible study and making dinner and keeping the house and showing up for everyone else.
But somewhere in those years I forgot to find myself. I let “mom” become the whole answer to who I am. And for a long time I didn’t even notice.
Some years ago we sold everything and lived on the road for a year. Then we landed in Bend. And something started shifting, slowly, quietly, then all at once.
I started asking myself what I actually liked. What I wanted. What brought me joy that had nothing to do with my kids or my house or anyone else’s needs.
Turns out I like doing hard things. Uncomfortable things. Things I’m not good at yet.
There’s grief in this story. There’s tension too. Every mom knows it, whether you stayed home or worked, you’ve felt the pull between giving your kids everything and not disappearing in the process.
I’m still figuring it out. But I’m out here. Imperfectly. On a snowboard, on a run, on a bike, with no idea what I’m doing and absolutely no plans to stop.
This account is for the moms who are just starting to find themselves again. Hi.
Babies were magic, toddlers were chaos, elementary was a lot (in the best way). And teenagers? Everyone likes to warn in that “phew, been there” kind of way that having teenagers is tough and scary, but no one said how fun it would be. Like, sure, it’s hard. Maybe the hardest stage, but it comes with so much joy too. Have you talked to a teenager lately? They’re hilarious, inspiring, fascinating, smart and and so fun. Plus they like to troll my fashion and music and call me old. So thanks for keeping me humble kids. ✌️
I WILL NOT: Complain about the weather. Do the laundry instead of the hike. Sit on the couch scrolling when the river trail is right outside my door. Bend ruined me and I’m not even mad about it.
Follow along if it ruined you too. ✌️
Let’s figure out the messy stuff together, doing things scared and showing up a little tired (but that might just be the perimenopause). High five. It’s gonna be a hot girl summer (are people still saying that??).
Follow along if this is you. 🥹
Smith Rock humbled us today, and that’s fine because we saw a river otter.
And you can’t see otters from the top of Misery Ridge. Just saying.
Also, we saw Turkey Vultures flying above us in the video clip too. It was a good day for wildlife.
I can’t believe it’s a million either, but here we are. The shift, however, is inevitable. I’m thinking it’s gonna be a lot of hiking in the forest. Also mosquitos and campfires. Hope you’re cool with that.
✌️🏂
The reason I keep showing up has nothing to do with getting better at snowboarding. It’s the only few hours of my week where nobody needs anything from me and my brain has exactly one job. I mean, I’m screaming in my helmet, but damnit if I don’t notice any emails coming in.
My hands are busy, my brain is busy, my whole body is just trying not to fall on my knees. No scrolling, no mental tabs open, no one asking, “MOM! What’s for dinner?”
Just you, your board, and the very real possibility of falling. Highly recommend flinging yourself off a mountain for your mental health. 10/10.
Slow & steady snowboard club. ✌️
