Sports & Adventure: Nature

Why do you want to do this?

Forest Park is the largest urban forest area in the United States, and it's right here in my beloved Portland. There are over 70 miles of walking and running trails in the park, and I've never taken advantage of having this amazing resource so close. I think spending time there will feel like I'm a million miles away - an easy retreat when I need one.

What three things will you need to make this happen?

Time - check!

Energy - check!

Map - last year I purchased a great series of maps that outline all the trails and their lengths, which is good because I don't want to get stuck on the 40-mile loop. I'd be looking for more of a 3-mile loop. Check!

What is the biggest barrier to your achieving this?

Honestly, I think I've never visited Forest Park because I've been intimidated by it. I think it's on an invisible list of "Things That Aren't For Me" because I'm not athletic enough. I'm afraid I'd go and get lost or feel so out of place with all the crazy marathoner-types dominating the trails. I don't want to stick out or look ridiculous. :( However, in the past year I've been really trying to challenge myself and all these ideas of things that "aren't for me." Surfing was the number 1 thing that wasn't for me, and I'm doing great with that! I still struggle a lot with self-confidence, but I think it's time to conquer Forest Park. I need to keep challenging myself and keep crossing things off the list if I want to widen my perspective and my world. And I do.