Another entry from the running archives. This post was written on May 12.
Over the past few weeks I've discovered another unexpected benefit of running. It's so simple it shouldn't have come as a surprise, but it was something I'd just never considered. Running is a very portable hobby, with the added bonus that I end up exercising while out of town and exploring new areas at the same time.
When the elliptical was my preferred method of exercise, being out of town and away from the gym usually meant taking a break from the workouts. Or if I had out-of-town access to exercise equipment, it was a drag to break away from the time with friends and family to work out.
A few weeks ago, we traveled up to Tennessee to visit my parents for Easter weekend. I packed my new, fancy shoes and Lee and I headed out twice to run. We enjoyed the opportunity to run together - a luxury we don't have at home. The hills were a real challenge, but we were distracted by the scenery, with beautiful wildflowers blanketing the rolling green fields around the neighborhood. I was exercising, but it felt more like a treat to be outside enjoying the pretty area, the great weather and Lee's company.
The next weekend we went camping and I packed the shoes again. The campground is large and spreads out along the beach on Hunting Island in South Carolina. I wanted a chance to explore the campground, so Saturday after breakfast, I laced up and did my workout along the campground road with beautiful scenery to distract me from the difficulty of the run.
Last weekend we went up to Winder to visit with the Valles family, and I got to watch Andrew run a 5K. It looked simultaneously fun and intimidating, but as soon as it was over I headed out for a run through their neighborhood. I was thankful again for the new setting for my workout, and ran with a little extra inspiration after watching the racers that morning.
Lee and I have our 10th anniversary trip to Jamaica coming up in a few weeks, and I've already been thinking I'll have to leave the shoes at home. There is nowhere to run in the small, cliff-side resort, and I wouldn't feel safe leaving the security of the guard shack and heading out on the Jamaican roads myself. So I'm lamenting that I can run that week - guess that's a pretty good sign, right?
Over the past few weeks I've discovered another unexpected benefit of running. It's so simple it shouldn't have come as a surprise, but it was something I'd just never considered. Running is a very portable hobby, with the added bonus that I end up exercising while out of town and exploring new areas at the same time.
When the elliptical was my preferred method of exercise, being out of town and away from the gym usually meant taking a break from the workouts. Or if I had out-of-town access to exercise equipment, it was a drag to break away from the time with friends and family to work out.
A few weeks ago, we traveled up to Tennessee to visit my parents for Easter weekend. I packed my new, fancy shoes and Lee and I headed out twice to run. We enjoyed the opportunity to run together - a luxury we don't have at home. The hills were a real challenge, but we were distracted by the scenery, with beautiful wildflowers blanketing the rolling green fields around the neighborhood. I was exercising, but it felt more like a treat to be outside enjoying the pretty area, the great weather and Lee's company.
The next weekend we went camping and I packed the shoes again. The campground is large and spreads out along the beach on Hunting Island in South Carolina. I wanted a chance to explore the campground, so Saturday after breakfast, I laced up and did my workout along the campground road with beautiful scenery to distract me from the difficulty of the run.
Last weekend we went up to Winder to visit with the Valles family, and I got to watch Andrew run a 5K. It looked simultaneously fun and intimidating, but as soon as it was over I headed out for a run through their neighborhood. I was thankful again for the new setting for my workout, and ran with a little extra inspiration after watching the racers that morning.
Lee and I have our 10th anniversary trip to Jamaica coming up in a few weeks, and I've already been thinking I'll have to leave the shoes at home. There is nowhere to run in the small, cliff-side resort, and I wouldn't feel safe leaving the security of the guard shack and heading out on the Jamaican roads myself. So I'm lamenting that I can run that week - guess that's a pretty good sign, right?
; "Oh my goodness...")
; "Festive Layers")
; "Nom nom nom")
; "Kitty and her Cupcake")
; "Candy Corn Colors")
; "Candy Corn Cupcakes")
; "Bling")
; "Relay Racers")
; "In mid-air")
; "Off She Goes!")
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