Its snowing AGAIN in Chicago. I ran South today, and noticed that Lake Michigan appears frozen for several hundred meters out from shore. Yesterday, it was colder but not frozen after about 25 meters, except for areas protected by some sort of breakwater. Paying attention to this made me realize that I’m paying attention to small things in the weather again. You notice small changes day to day:wind speed, a few degrees temp difference, humidity. Its been a long time since I paid much attention to things like this. Going outside every day, even for a little while, really does help you get in tune w/ nature again, something that our society has lost. It might be cold now, but its OK after you’ve been moving for 5 minutes. Go outside, and encourage others to go with you- it really adds something to the day.
So true!
I’ve had winters in the past as a slug when I didn’t get outside for more than a few minutes at a time - all winter… Very depressing…
Getting out daily really helps your perspective. I’ll come in from an evening run, and DW asks me how it is outside. It’ll be 10F, windy and icy, and I’ll say “It’s a beautiful night” and really mean it! She looks at me like I’m nuts.
I’m glad you guys are getting out…I can’t believe it that you guys did not get out in the winter previously. Its really important to get out in sunlight to get some Vitamin D…anyway, all of my runs have been outdoors, even in minus 25 or in the rain, or on beautiful days…its all I can do to relegate any semblance of cycling and swimming indoors, I need to do sports outside whenever possible! I’m so glad that you guys are getting outside…its the only way to go!
Go outside, and encourage others to go with you- it really adds something to the day.
I walked on the beach tonight
it was FREEZING but it was awesome.
More than running in the cold, I love MTB in the snow. I let out some air from my tires for traction. When there is enough snow on the ground, making it hard to pedal and steer, I know of no tougher workout. 10 miles on my trail is a killer. 15 miles and I am toast for the day. I’ll be on it tomorrow.
Plenty of outside for me but not all that much sunlight. Just noticed this morning that on my run home from the Y that it was light enough out that I did not need the blinking lights. I do love running early in the dark and looking at stars though.
I used to be outside year-round when I was on active duty in the Army- the Infantry doesn’t even bother to look at a forecast, you just have everything you need in your ruck anyhow. I left active duty in DEC 03, and spent 3 years on the corporate ratwheel. I worked at night, and never felt totally rested and healthy. Coming back to a day job and being able to live like this has really emphasized how important the outdoors are to me. I want to get my wife hooked like I am, and bring our daughter up this way. If I could sell my wife on it, I will seriously look at a job w/ the Forest Service to work in one of the remote clinics once school is done. She likely wouldn’t go for it, but as long as we live someplace where you can get to a sparsely populated area quickly would work. Every day traveling through wilderness like that- what a deal.