Escape to Your Playground

by Point6 Ambassador, Heather "Anish" Anderson

“Escape to Your Playground” isn’t just a hashtag. It embodies something very essential about my approach to the outdoors. More than ever this year I am learning to emphasize the “play” part. Since 2012 I’ve spent thousands of hours in the outdoors. The mountains and trails have been my playground for many activities, experiences, and challenges. 

I’ve become more comfortable there than anywhere else and have also set numerous Fastest Known Times. In 2018, I became the first female to complete the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail (the so-called Calendar Year Triple Crown). I also became the first (and only) woman to hike each of those three trails three times (becoming a Triple Triple Crowner).

2019 has been a refreshing change of pace. Rather than completing a thru-hike or setting a Fastest Known Time, or any other goal, I’ve been able to truly play in the backcountry. Some days that’s sitting around a nice car camp with my Point6 clad feet up catching up on my reading. Sometimes it’s dashing off into the woods to catch a view from an off-trail knoll. Climbing trees. Swimming in lakes.

It’s essential to incorporate play into our lives. Just as it’s important to have a creative outlet, eat nutritious food, and be active. However, it’s easy in a busy, high demand lifestyle, to hit our weekends with the same goal oriented mindset. Letting go of expectations and running free. Without frequent opportunities to engage our inner child life can become stale and mono-focused. 

This month, I encourage your to do something playful. Something creative. Something that makes you laugh out loud like you did when you were a child. Splash in a mud puddle. Somersault across the lawn. Escape to YOUR playground.

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Runner's High Ultra Light No Show (first image)

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