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RUNNING THROUGH IT
A look inside the mind of a pro runner during COVID-19
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By Isaac Biehl
Live to run; run to live. Local running experts continue to put in the work to prepare for certain races.
For most people, the closure of gyms meant that we’d need to find exercise elsewhere—either at home, or seeking refuge in the outdoors of Central Oregon, hiking and running like there’s no tomorrow. But what if running was more than a hobby?
We checked in with Collier Lawrence, a member of the Bend-based elite-running club Littlewing Athletics, to see what it’s been like the past year for her and her teammates and what she expects to come in 2021. On the Littlewing website, Lawrence shared that alpine skiing was her first love—but that running has the 2019 U.S. Trail Marathon Championships and the 2019 U.S. Trail Half Marathon Championships, it’s safe to say she has her heart in the right place.
Read the rest of our Q&A with Lawrence below.
all were forced to adjust your training schedules after the Olympic Trials in Eugene were pushed back. What did that change for you and are you looking forward to that date this year?
Collier Lawrence: Last year I had started a transition to longer trail races so the Olympic Trials were not on my radar. A lot of my races were canceled or were in places that, given travel logistics and restrictions, made it difficult to justify participating. In
her heart. After placing 2nd place in both
— Collier Lawrence addition to being an athlete on Littlewing, I operate as a member of our coaching staff. Each athlete on this team has had a different journey within their buildup to the Olympic year. From a coaching perspective, we were given the gift of time. At every point in an Olympic cycle you have what you have and need to make it work. No buildup is perfect and the delay has allowed each woman to be a little more finely tuned. Although I will be there in a coaching capacity, I am very excited for the Trials. Having been in that environment as an athlete and coach, I’d say the coaching role is more nerve-wracking.
SW: Has it been harder to train for particular events when you know that the possibility of them being canceled or postponed looms?
CL: Yes and no. Racing gives us the feedback that what choices we make day to day are worth it and that feedback is hard to get any other way than putting on a bib number and running hard. Part of our job is investing fully in the unknown. You could be in the best shape of your life up and roll your ankle during the warm up. We’ve approached the reality of competitive opportunities being canceled or postponed with the mentality that nothing is guaranteed. Our expectations for success come with the understanding that the work is required, even though the fruit of the work is not.
SW: Did you notice your relationship with running change at all during the pandemic? And were you able to appreciate it in different ways than you have before?
CL:. I wouldn’t say my relationship with running changed but I was able to nourish a part that doesn’t get fed very often. We were all able to do some big runs and long days in the mountains that in normal training cycles would have taken a back seat or wouldn’t have
Mighty Creature Co.
been a spur-of-the-moment adventure—which only adds to the fun.
SW: How do you see the landscape of running competitions panning out this year?
CL: It’s really hard to say. We’re really lucky that the Pacific Northwest has a strong collection of professional training groups and high-level runners. Last year a handful of fantastic meets were set up in and around Portland and those same people are organizing upcoming racing opportunities. The landscape for races is constantly changing but the team is planning on staying close to home. Some opportunities may arise requiring more travel but we’ll assess the risks of those as they come up. The Olympic Trials will be the most interesting because it is such a spectacle. We’re used to these huge crowds and loads of athletes in close quarters. I’m confident they’ll establish a protocol which will allow athletes to compete but I expect the biggest logistical hurdle to be with spectators.
SW: Other than the Olympic Trials, are there other competitions or races you have your eyes set on for this year?
CL: I am planning to race Broken Arrow in Squaw Valley, Pike Peak Ascent, and the U.S. Trail Marathon and Half Marathon Championships, given appropriate safety protocols. The rest of the team will initially be racing at meets regionally, within reasonable driving distance.
HEALTH & WELLNESS SEASONED SNOWSHOER? NEW TO CENTRAL OREGON SNO-PARKS? WE GOT YOU.
Pro tips on the best snowshoeing this season
By Ashley Moreno
Vista Butte Sno-park offers great views of Mt. Bachelor, South Sister, Tumalo and Broken Top.
Some outdoor winter staples look decidedly different this year, and others were just canceled. Not so for self-guided snowshoeing. It’s pretty easy to socially distance on snowshoe trails, and they’re often less crowded than skiing trails. To help everyone make the most of the trails this year, we reached out to local snowshoer and Snowshoe Trail Coordinator for the Central Oregon Nordic Club, Bob Timmer, to get tips for newbies and seasoned snowshoe enthusiasts alike.
Timmer has seen a lot of what Central Oregon snowshoeing has to offer. Since the CONC has a volunteer service agreement with the Forest Service, he’s coordinated snowshoe trail maintenance at trails including Edison Butte Sno-Park and the sno-parks off Century Drive since 2013.
“I enjoy Edison—the short loop on Edison because of the lava flows,” Timmer said. “And then I enjoy the views from the Peak View trail that we implemented in 2018.” Peak View is the area‘s newest snowshoe addition, located at Upper Three Creek Sno-Park, established in partnership with the Sisters Trail Alliance and Deschutes National Forest Trail Crew. It’s a 1.75-mile trail that connects Upper Three Creek and Jeff View Shelter, providing great views of the Cascades.
Trails Recs for Experienced Snowshoers
Timmer says snowshoers looking to venture into “unspoiled snow” for the first time should consider venturing inside a loop trail—like the Long Loop at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park.
“That way one always can get back to the trail easily if they get turned around because they’re inside a loop,” Timmer said. “Then they can experience breaking snow and breaking a new trail and the energy level required to do so.”
For those looking for longer options or trails further away from Bend, Timmer recommends Ray Benson Sno-Park on Santiam Pass, which has several Nordic trails. He also recommends heading toward the Newberry National Monument and the 10 Mile Sno-Park.
“At the 10 Mile Sno-Park there is a Nordic trail that’s a dual use trail between the 10 Mile Sno-Park and Paulina Lake,” Timmer said. “That is a 3-mile trek up along Paulina Creek. You can stop at Paulina Falls and see the falls, commonly iced over—and that’s really pretty—and then have the rest of the day up to Paulina Lake.”
For some classic views of Mt. Bachelor, consider following alongside (but staying off) the marked Nordic ski trail at Vista Butte Sno-Park. Parking there can be tight. If the lot’s full, park at Kapka Sno-Park, and then follow the snowmobile trail under Cascade Lakes Highway to Vista Butte.
Ashley Moreno
Trail Recs for New Snowshoers
For new snowshoers, Timmer recommends the sno-parks off Century Drive, with the easiest trails at Swampy Lakes and Meissner Sno-Park. “The short loop at Swampy is a good beginner’s trail,” he said. “As is the short loop at Meissner. The next in difficulty would be the trail out to the Meissner shelto Paulina Lake.” ter, and the Porcupine Trail at Swampy, heading out clockwise on the trail to the Swampy shelter area.” Of course, Timmer mentioned that due to COVID-19, consider staying outside the shelters once arriving.
Trail Recs for Four-legged Snowshoers
Timmer says snowshoers who want to bring their pups along should check out the areas maintained by DogPAC, an organization that works to provide more off-leash recreation in Central Oregon.
For example, there’s a short snowshoe trail at Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park, maintained by DogPAC, Timmer said.
“Trails on the north side of Century Drive, dogs are not permitted in the wintertime. So that would be Meissner, Swampy and Dutchman [Flat SnoPark],” Timmer said. “The snowshoe
“At the 10 Mile Sno-Park there is a Nordic trail that’s a dual use trail between the 10 Mile SnoPark and Paulina Lake. That is a 3-mile trek up along Paulina Creek. You can stop at Paulina Falls and see the falls, commonly iced over—and that’s really pretty—and then have the rest of the day up
trails and sno-parks on the south side —Bob Timmer of Century Drive are dog-friendly—so Wanoga and Edison.”
Before heading out, check out the individual sno-park pages on the U.S. Forest Service’s website. Each park’s page says whether they’re open. Due to COVID-19, some amenities aren’t available. For example, all front-country shelters are currently closed. For information about trail conditions and snow, check out the Forest Service’s Winter Trail Highlights web page.
FOR GYMS, IT'S MODIFY--OR DEFY
As some fitness centers conduct business outdoors or make other adaptations, others stay open in defiance
By Nicole Vulcan
Forced to close most of its operation and offer virtual classes, Orangetheory in the Old Mill is adapting by offering a running club for members—and non-members—three days a week.
Courtesy Orange Theory
Summer was a fairly easy time for gym owners and managers to adapt their operations to meet health and safety guidelines around COVID-19. Between putting equipment outdoors or simply taking clients out to a park or nature spot for their workouts, adapting to the situation required just a bit of creativity and a solid set of muscles to lug 70-pound weights or rowers outdoors. Now though, with Gov. Kate Brown’s current Risk and Protection Framework forcing gyms, restaurants and some other businesses in a majority of Oregon counties to conduct their business outdoors or not at all, creative adaptation is not always enough.
For some gyms, it’s meant retaining a fraction of the clients they once had. For others, it’s meant openly defying the governor’s orders and opening anyway.
At one local exercise studio, its team calls the changes “drastically different, and very challenging.”
“We had a member base of about 1,200+ members before COVID hit, and right now we have 300 to 400 paying members—so financially quite a drastic difference,” said Stephanie Brown, head trainer for Orangetheory Fitness, a training studio in Bend’s Old Mill that offers circuit-based, high-intensity interval training using rowers, weight equipment and more. Heart rate monitors help trainers keep tabs on clients’ fitness intensity. “We ran a lot of outside classes, a lot during the summer, which was fairly easy. We’ve done Zoom classes, and Orangetheory corporate just came out with an online platform….where people can work out from their home or for people who don’t feel comfortable coming into the studio. Once we get open, we’ll still continue to do that,” Brown told the Source. “It would probably take us a good 45 minutes as a staff to get everything out and set up, and then also another 45 to break it all down and bring it all back in the studio,” Brown said. Nowadays, the studio has also begun allowing clients to take equipment home.
While the online option allows clients to get feedback from coaches, a lot is still lost, said Brown and the studio’s manager, Jacqueline McGrew.
“We’ve always had such a strong community, and the community side, I think, is what keeps people coming back,” McGrew said. Brown and McGrew said they’re considering getting a tent to set up in their parking lot to continue doing workouts, but another adaptation is offering a “run club” three days a week. Open to anyone—even those who are not clients—the trainers head out to the trails and sidewalks near the Old Mill for a one-hour workout that’s part running, part strength training.
Throughout this past year, both women talked about the creativity and adaptability needed to get through this time and maintain their own personal fitness goals. At the same time, experiencing this disruption has allowed them to get more rest and check in with their own fitness goals in a way they didn’t when they were in the day-to-day grind of running the studio, McGrew said.
Being able to check in personally with clients via telephone to help them keep on track has been another positive adaptation to the current situation, Brown said—but for some clients, those oneon-one phone calls and other adaptations have not made them stick around.
“Another big challenge for us is just, a lot of gyms just went ahead and opened up anyway and are operating as normal. Even some gyms in town were going as far as not making people wear masks in the studio. We’ve been losing a lot of members because of that,” Brown said. “We live by another set of rules, too, beyond what the State of Oregon has. We’re a locally owned franchisee but we live under the umbrella of Orangetheory corporate as well, and having to follow
Courtesy Orange Theory their rules. It’s hard to compete with people that aren’t following the rules.”
Brown said the studio’s corporate offices add in other rules, too, including strict cleaning protocols and a requirement to keep a supply of cleaning supplies—such as sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer on hand.
Defying the rules
On Jan. 16, a group of protesters holding signs that included “We Will Not Comply!” and “Open Our Businesses!” gathered in Prineville, in front of Norm’s Xtreme Fitness Center, a gym that offers “a complete range of fitness opportunities including elliptical trainers, free weights, recumbent bicycles, resistance circuit, rowing machine, sauna, senior resistance classes, stair steppers, stationary bicycles, and treadmills,” according to the business’ website.
Those gathered were there to advocate for the reopening of businesses, including gyms, entertainment venues and restaurants, which have been ordered to remain closed or to conduct business outdoors.
“It’s not fair for one business to be open and another to be closed,” gym owner Norman Smith told KTVZ. Under the current risk framework, counties including Deschutes, Jefferson and Prineville’s Crook County are ordered to keep gyms closed until COVID case numbers and test positivity rates go down. According to correspondence on its Facebook page, Norm’s continued to be open as of two weeks ago.
OUT IN THE COLD
Must-know resources for winter health & safety
By K.M. Collins
Assistance is out there to help you avoid winter driving drama and other potential problems.
Praying for snow or worrying about your New Year’s diet is all unicorns and rainbows— until you consider that some high desert households are dealing with other extreme adulting needs this season. Think Maslow’s Hierarchy. From paying the bills and managing mental well-being to dealing with inclement weather, present societal circumstances—and the usual seasonal affective disorder—are making things extra tough this year. In honor of our Winter Health issue, here’s a list of resources to help keep people in defrost mode. extra tough this year.
Energy Assistance
NeighborImpact shepherds the Energy Assistance Program. For those having difficulty paying for electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, wood or pellets, this program can help. Requirements are found on NeighborImpact’s “Get Help” page at neighborimpact.org/get-help. coaching on homebuying and emergency shelter, NeighborImpact is also the go-to resource. Other options for those experiencing homelessness are Grandma’s House, a shelter for pregnant and parenting young mothers, and The Bethlehem Inn, a safe place for adults and children to stay.
Mental Health
Feeling down? Anxious? Out of sorts? Deschutes County Behavioral Health can help. Another option, from the comfort of home via Zoom,
is to reach out to the counselors in training at the Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Counseling Clinic. It’s free, timely and participation helps students complete their practicum. The Center for Compassionate Living is a third option, where staff members teach non-violent communication and offer classes such as Changing Self Talk into Self Care, Citizen Empathy and Conversation, Communicating for Life and Can we Talk—A Class for Couples.
Health Care
For those who’ve been laid off from a job which previously provided health care, there are several options. Some will qualify for Oregon Health Plan, but if not, the federal government’s Health Insurance Marketplace has plans offered at a reduced rate based on income. Open enrollment has passed for the current year, but those who have altered “life events,” such as a layoff, may still be able to enroll. For children, check out the Oregon State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families. The program is meant to help supplement food budgets for families with low income, maintain good health and allow them to spend more of their money on other essential living expenses. The Oregon Department of Human Services determines the eligibility of applicants based on guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The primary goals of the program are to alleviate hunger and malnutrition and to improve nutrition and health in eligible households. Other food resources include Bend/La Pine
K.M. Collins
Schools’ grab-and-go meals and free/ reduced cost meals, available to children age 0 to 18, Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at various school locations in the district.
Unemployment
From extended benefits to federal aid, all manner of help is available. Although benefits are available, many have had difficulty getting a hold of those who facilitate access. Two tips that may help: First, try faxing the unemployment office in Salem over calling a local office. Second, if faxing doesn’t work, contact your state representatives and senators. It’s worked for others in the community.
Driving
For tips on driving in all conditions and outfitting your vehicle, Les Schwab Tires has hoards of information on its website. In the event an accident does occur, or to check road conditions, the Oregon Department of Transportation has a wealth of information. Trip Check 24/7 road conditions and winter travel information are other links jam packed with helpful information.
Here’s to hoping we can all stay warm and show each other compassion to get through the remainder of winter. Best of luck crossing the passes and driving into the mountains— may the force be with you.
