One of the first things that comes to me – as a way to describe the experience – is that at camp, we “live deliberately.” I know that quoting Thoreau is cliché, but maybe there’s something about staying in a cabin by a lake that initially makes me think of Walden (even though Thoreau’s “cabin” was about a mile from where he grew up).

And, living deliberately is what we do at camp.

Because we are in such a remote place, we have spotty cell phone coverage, limited wi-fi, and no cable tv in our cabins. We are not totally cut off from the outside world, but for 6 days, we are pretty much unconcerned with what’s going on outside Rainbow Resort.

We immerse ourselves in the actual experiences.

Our first run of the week was an easy 4-mile jaunt through the woods on a grassy trail. It had rained the night before, and there were still a few puddles in some low spots. Our first inclination when we encounter a mud puddle is to try to avoid it. I remember thinking as I plowed through the mud puddles – you don’t really experience the puddle unless your feet get a little wet. And, as I felt the water seep through the toe of my shoe, I actually felt a little more energized.

Later, that night, we were treated to “Dick Beardsley In Concert.” Although Dick probably won’t be taking his concert “on the road,” he writes and sings songs from his heart; and courageously, he shared some deeply personal experiences with us as we sat and listened … totally immersed in his music.

Our second run was a “quality workout” with Coach Bill. Although not an “active” Marine, Bill will tell you that there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine. And, his workouts remind us of his point. Warming up with lunges, squats, pushups, and hovers (to name a few things), we then head out to a flat stretch of road where we warm up again with stride outs before running a timed mile. But that’s not all. After the timed mile, we jog down the road about a mile and a half to “learn how” to and practice hill repeats. Talk about “sucking marrow from the bone” – Thoreau would definitely approve of Coach Bill’s workouts.

Thank goodness for the principle of hard-easy workouts. Our next run was a recovery run – it was back on the serene trails for an easy fun run. You might think that with a group of runners – who “paid” to come to a running camp – that it would be a little difficult to run easy and take walk breaks and chat with their new running partners. But there’s something about being surrounded by people who, like ourselves, not only love to talk about running but also love to experience it. And, I think that even some of the hardcore runners were able to “experience” their runs more deeply in our easy group trail runs than they had before they came to camp.

Since we had a half marathon coming up on Saturday, we didn’t schedule a Friday run. However, in a rare historic event, Joe Henderson led a group of campers on a truly special early morning run.

Friday was especially fun as we had Kathrine Switzer, pioneer and champion of women’s running, spending the day with us. Kathrine was the “legend” this year at the “Running with the Legends” Dick Beardsley Half Marathon.

Race day dawned, and the constant rain from the day before gave way to blue skies and cool temperatures. Campers and coaches all piled into cars and drove 45 minutes to Detroit Lakes for the Dick Beardsley Half Marathon and 5K. We had runners in both events – with one camper running his first half marathon and one running his first race ever! Uplifted by a week of positive energy, camaraderie, and good health, we all “experienced” a gorgeous run around the lake. As each runner finished, we gathered at the sideline to cheer on every single runner who crossed the finish line.

As it came time for camp to end, we started feeling the pull of reality. Six days in the Minnesota woods is a perfect amount of time to spend at a running camp, but it was time now to go home to jobs, families, friends, and running in our own town. Amid hugs and farewells, we know we’ll see each other again this time next year.

One of our former campers aptly said of Dick’s camp…”We came to camp to become better runners; we left camp better people.”

Elinor Fish, editor of Trail Runner magazine, was the camp director, as well as an accomplished trail runner herself. In fact, she is running her first 100-miler in a few weeks at Leadville! Nothing like starting with one of the hardest 100s around (I would know a little about that). She had two additional people on staff: Tam, a personal trainer and Xterra champion; and Wendy, a yoga instructor and trail runner. Elinor and her “team” did a spectacular job of planning and executing the camp.

The women at the camp represented 7 states – Idaho, Colorado, California, Washington, Kansas, Nevada, Indiana – and all came with different backgrounds, experiences, and inspiring stories. Many of the women had never run at altitude like we encountered in the Rockies. Our first run was a little challenging, but by day 2, we had somewhat acclimated, and our run was much more comfortable (or at least manageable).

The scenery was breathtaking (and not just because of the altitude), and the comraderie was uplifting. We had healthy meals, yoga sessions, massages, and amazing trail runs – indeed, a magical weekend retreat.

As we all became friends, we already have plans to meet up at trail runs across the country and open invitations for places to stay as we travel to run.

Thanks to Elinor, her team, and to all the other campers for a great mountain trail experience.

I continue to pair the words “Running” and “Friendship.” That’s probably because it’s through running that I have found my best friends.

Last weekend, six friends from Chicago – Lori, Roz, Trina, Sherri, Lisa, and Jim – came out to Boise to run, ski, snowshoe, and generally have fun with me and Mark. We pulled out inflatable beds, blankets, quilts, and rented roll-away beds. I wanted to be sure that they experienced as much of the Boise outdoors as possible, so we scheduled events for many different venues. Several of them said the weekend was more like bootcamp rather than a vacation, but they all loved every minute of it.

• Friday: Mark and Lori started out with a 5:15 am spin class at the gym after which we all took off on a run/walk/hike on the foothill trails.
• Saturday: We mixed old friends with new friends as we joined the group at Boise RunWalk for a run up Shaw Mountain Road. After our morning run/walk, we headed up to Bogus Basin Ski Resort where we skiied and snowshoed.
• Sunday: It was up again at 530 am to head to Tamarack Ski Resort where the Saturday snowshoers took cross-country ski lessons and added to the hilarity of the day.
• Monday: Since we had already done a run in the foothills, we hit the Boise Greenbelt and took a run along the beautiful Boise River before they all headed to the airport to go back home.

Trail running, skiing, snowshoeing, bruised tailbones, runaway skis, tear-inducing laughter, massages, and Idaho potatoes – it was truly a weekend to remember and cherish. Roz dubbed it “Episode 1″ of a new hilarious reality tv show. I guess that means we’ll have follow-up episodes…

There were a few members of the “gang” who couldn’t make this trip, but in keeping with the tv show theme, we’ll continue to add cast members with each new episode.

I am truly lucky to have such terrific friends – friends crazy enough to leave the frozen Midwest to come to Idaho for … a winter vacation. Don’t people usually go someplace warm for a winter vacation?

Our gathering was a time for people to share their success stories with the group and acknowledge those who helped them reach their goals.

• Amber shared with us her accomplishments and how she got through the rough patches and crossed the finish line of her marathon with the help of her new friend Chele.
• Joyce shared with us how she reached her goals in events she’d never done before.
• Paul shared funny stories of  going the “extra mile” and expressed gratitude to his running partners and coaches.
• Machelle shared her personal story of weight loss and getting on the path to health and wellness.
• Sue shared with us her personal story of how Donna, her running partner, literally saved her life.

This is just a sampling of the stories we shared. Everyone has a story. Every race has a story. And, people (especially runners and walkers) love to get together to tell their stories.

Six months ago, I knew only a handful of people in Boise. I had lunch with Steve, the “head” of a local running/walking group and offered to help coach. He didn’t know me at all, but he decided to take a chance on me and allowed me to join his other coaches in a successful program known for its dedicated, knowledgeable coaches.

Runners are welcoming folks. At our end-of-the-season gathering, I looked around at all my new friends – just since I had joined the group 6 months ago – and I was filled with gratitude.

I’m looking forward to getting back on the path with them very soon…and hearing more of their stories.

Over the past 13 years, running has brought me so many great friends – I can’t even begin to name them all. Some of us have moved to different places, but the friendships that we forged have withstood the distance. One thing is certain: We meet as strangers, but we become friends as we run and walk together.

I treasure my running partners – there is a mutual sharing of who we really are as we’re out there on the road together.  No cell phones. No emails to check. No distractions. No pretenses. No judgment. Just time spent with a friend on the road. What could be better?

So, what is it that bonds people together as they run or walk long miles?  Is it common interests? Common goals? Common challenges? Common pain?

If you have made good friends through your running or walking, I’m sure you understand this concept. I’d love to hear your thoughts and/or stories.

Aristotle says that developing a friendship based on virtue requires time, familiarity, trust, mutual good will and mutual sacrifice. Running provides a perfect setting for developing friendships.

When you run with someone – especially on a long run – you talk about everything: families, childhoods, philosophies and personal “issues.” Running together involves meeting challenges together, and being with your running partner away from computers, cell phones, televisions “frees” you up to develop an even deeper friendship.

My own experience is a testament to this. I have been fortunate to have some really great running partners, my most recent and most compatible partner being John K. Before I moved to Idaho, John and I ran once a week during the week and often did our long runs together on weekends. We used to run at around the same pace – John is now setting PRs all over the place – so our paces differ a bit now as we have taken on different goals, his being speed, mine being longer distances. We did, however, run a recent 20-miler together. And, in the spirit of true friendship, John slowed his pace a little to match mine – thus, mutual good will and mutual sacrifice. Two weeks prior, we ran our long run in the pouring rain – an effort that was much easier with a partner.

To all my running (and walking and triathlon) friends, I am rooting for you and feeling anxious for you in all your racing (and training) adventures. I get as excited about your successes as my own, and I feel your disappointment on your setbacks.

Yesterday, my husband Mark completed 16 miles in preparation for his October “comeback” marathon – his longest mileage in 5 years! Even when I can’t be there physically, I am totally with all of you in the spirit of our friendships.

Good physical health contributes to our overall well-being. To be good runners, we must practice running. To be good people, we must practice the “virtues.” I am so fortunate to have friendships that are based on virtue, in which we pursue good lives and happiness together.

When you focus on something, you will be amazed at the things that “come” to you in the way of connections. A simple example: If you’re thinking of getting a golden retriever, you will begin to see them all over the place. You didn’t really notice before how many different colors of golden retrievers there are, but now that you’re focused on it, you notice them everywhere.

I’ve been working on “being in the moment” more – and believe me, it takes practice. Right now is all we have – the past is gone, and the future is not here yet, so we don’t have either of those.

I’m not sure if Dan Millman came up with the phrase “No ordinary moments,” but it is with him that I associate that expression. When we are focused on right now, we see things we would otherwise miss if we are thinking about the past or the future.

As one way to be “in the moment,” I have taken a lesson from Fremont, my 90-lb golden retriever. Every morning, Fremont and I have a routine. He waits until I wake up and tell him it’s ok to get on the bed. He then jumps up and snuggles as close to me as possible as I rub his ears and talk to him. Although he hasn’t gone outside for 10 hours and hasn’t eaten in 12 hours, he is not worried about eating or going outside – he is totally focused on what’s happening at that moment.

He helps me to practice the same every day. I don’t think about what I’m going to do when I get up; I am just being with him that moment with no other thought than enjoying our time together.

An added bonus to my time with Fremont in the morning is that it is impossible to wake up in a bad mood – how can I when I am being given and giving in return unconditional love. It is certainly no ordinary moment – and it’s a wonderful way to start my day.

In late spring, I joined the coaching team for a local Run/Walk group. This group trains everyone – runners and walkers – in distances ranging from the 5K to the marathon. Needless to say, we have a wonderfully diverse group. And, because I do my long runs on Sunday, I am training the shorter distance athletes, mainly the 10K people, so that I can run with them for the shorter distances on Saturday and do my runs on Sunday.

As I work with the enthusiastic, dedicated folks – many of whom have never run a race before – I’m reminded of my early days of racing and training. My husband and I trained for our first marathon together in 1996, and I remember on our first “long run” of 6 miles, we weren’t sure we were going to be able to go the whole distance. And, we certainly didn’t know how we would go the full 26.2. But we were excited, determined, and committed. Just like the people I’m coaching now.

It is so fun to see these athletes going farther each week than they’ve ever gone before – it is such a huge milestone for them. I can remember saying, “I can’t believe I just ran 8 miles.” It was such a monumental accomplishment.

8, 10, even 20 miles – those distances don’t seem that hard to me anymore, but I remember how hard they used to be.

Anytime we are doing things that seem “easy” to us – whether it is running 6 miles, doing something with a computer, or writing a paragraph -  we must remember that it is not easy for a lot of people.

It’s especially important if you are teaching someone to do something. Most things take lots of practice before we feel comfortable doing it. So be patient, and remember where you came from.

There are so many reasons why we don’t hear what others are telling us:

• We’re too preoccupied with what we’re going to say back
• We’re preoccupied with something else on our minds
• We’re not that interested in what the other person has to say
• We’re physically doing something else while the other person is talking

And the list goes on. Basically, we’re just not paying attention because we’re too focused on ourselves. We do live in a “me” culture in which people are not practiced in focusing on what the other person has to say.

I challenge you to focus on others – practice hearing what others have to say – just for one day to start with. Resist the urge to reply with something like, “Yes, well when I…”  Ask more questions, show interest, give your undivided attention. You will learn some interesting things about both others and yourself.

And, for those of us who have pets, we have relationships with our dogs and cats. We understand that the connection we have with our animals fills a space in our lives that is often hard to explain to people who don’t have pets.

I have a golden retriever named Fremont. We have raised him from a puppy, and he has brought both joy and frustration into our lives (not that much different than our human children have). Recently, I was reading a book about goldens, and although I thought the writer was talking about Fremont, he could have also been talking about any of our animals that we love.

He said that the golden is a beautiful, wonderful dog with a face that seems to smile and who gets along with both cats and other dogs. He naturally bonds with adults and children and has a huge heart that he readily shares with anyone willing to accept it. He is generous, outgoing, affectionate and loyal. But the most golden part of the golden retriever is his heart.

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could describe us like that?