Operation Beautiful

Training notes: Things are feeling a bit more like they should, so I'm starting to chill out in the training department. I've been doing my lunges and my core on Monday/Weds/Friday, and I'm cautiously hopeful that I'll stick with these things. I can tell the lunges will help my leg strength a bunch. Portland to Coast next week, and then I should be back in full training mode. Just don't know for what yet...

I am a huge fan of Operation Beautiful. I found this cool project through Jill Will Run's blog (I think - who knows how I stumble on a multitude of sites!!), and I know that some of you are familiar with the post-it note phenomenon that aims to get women appreciating what they have right now.

During my last relay, we wrote on the side-view mirrors little messages of encouragement, including "You look fabulous!", which became quite funny to us after three runs, high heat and desert dust may have left us looking anything but. Still, it was oddly satisfying to read, and it helped turn my thinking around more than once.

In the spirit of positive messages, I decided to put a dry-erase board on the wall in my girls' bathroom. We've been having a blast leaving each other little messages that are positive and fun in nature. My hope is that if they see those messages often enough, they'll start to internalize them just as they do those negative ones they are bound to hear. I don't often have those inspired mom moments, so when I do, I wanna share!

As I sat down to write this post, inspiration struck one more time. Next Friday I will be doing my annual racewalk experience - the 128 mile Portland to Coast walk relay that happens in conjunction with Hood to Coast. One of the things I really love about this relay is that there are so many women (and men) out there walking that defy the stereotypes of young, fit athletes. There are so many people pushing themselves to do something athletic for the first time, walking right along side those of us who make running and walking an integral part of our lives. Walkers of all shapes and sizes are out there doing their thing. And if you've never tried to walk fast before, you would be amazed by how difficult the feat truly is. I will be more sore after the relay than I was after my marathon - just in different places.

Now my team is already one that looks for ways to interact with the others in a variety of ways. We'll have little magnets that read, "You've been beaned by a latte" that we will stick on vehicles, along with chocolate covered espresso beans in cute little packages. But I think I just might bring some post-it notes to stick on some side-view mirrors and porta-potty doors that give those reminders of just how beautiful and amazing we all are, and Operation Beautiful up this fabulous relay race!

Is there something you could do today that will lift up a woman or girl in your life? Do it!