Exercising Outside: To Do or Not To Do

In general, exercising outside is great. It's free, easily accessible, and familiar (if you're at home) or a good way to explore (if you're traveling). However, there are times when even I, as reckless as I am, will choose the gym. Here's some things to consider when deciding to workout inside or out:

• Unsafe neighborhood - whether you live there or are just visiting, be realistic about your 'hood and go to a gym or safer location if it might be unsafe.
• Risky time of day - even the safest neighborhoods have dangerous times of day. If your area doesn't have sidewalks, forcing you to run in the road, your danger zones are dusk, dawn and nighttime. If your neighbors roll up their sidewalks when the sun goes down and your streets don't have lights, don't be the only one out in the dark within shouting distance.
• High traffic and heavy pollution - exercising involves deep breathing but more cars on the road means more pollutants in the air. Bad combo. Putting all that nasty stuff in your lungs for an extended period of time can lead to serious health issues. Stay inside where the air is more likely to be filtered.
• Rough road - cobblestone and broken or dirt roads shouldn't stop you from running the streets. Just wear a headlamp if you're going to brave uneven paving while exercising in the dark. No headlamp? Head to the treadmill.

Any other thoughts on when staying in is better? Please share!

In the meantime,  dress for the weather and get out there! It's spring or fall in almost every part of the world and both are wonderful seasons for outdoor exercise.

Walk, Don't Run

It's almost 2012. It might not seem like it if you just started something new, like the school year, but I'm about to end something big and for me, as the street doomsday men like to say, "The end is nigh."
On January 1, 2012, I will no longer be a runner. I'm giving it up for the sake of still being able to walk, bike, play tennis (gently) and do yoga 10 or 15 years from now. Maybe cord blood stem cells will return the knees and ankles of my teens to me one day, but for now, I'm preparing for the worst.
And for all who know me, yes I have wondered what I'll do with my blog; what will I do to stay fit; how will I work out my inner demons and excess energy. And yes, I am worried I'll gain a lot of weight.
As I go through the 7 stages of mourning (I'm a preemptive mourner - when I was a kid, I would cry for hours about my grandparents death even though they all were very alive in Colorado), I keep getting sucked into bargaining. I think, maybe I'll just ease up, only run once a week, only run a mile or two, only run slowly. A friend who is a physical therapist offered to look at my stride. I'm taking her up on it because hope is another stage. Maybe she'll see something I can change that will allow me to continue...
The reality is, in fewer than 4 months, while I may still sometimes run, I will no longer be a runner and, despite getting a jump on the mourning, I'm still going to be shocked.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go lay out my gear for tomorrow's run. 

Marathon. Yoga. Same thing?

Running a marathon and doing yoga might be pretty much the same thing. Strange, but true.
Me, sitting with my legs crossed going Ohm might not look like me dragging my bum across a finish line, but they're actually a lot alike. Here's why:
1) "I've been thinking about doing that."  If you tell someone you've run a marathon or do yoga, the response will often be the same.
2) Mind over matter.  Both practicing yoga and training for a long, hard run will make you want to quit, at some point. In both cases, the only reason to continue is because you decide to you can and will.
3) Sweat.  They're both exercise; get ready to sweat by drinking a lot of water.
4) Stretching.  Both yoga and running are better if you stretch. Note: yoga, in and of itself, is not stretching. See photo. This position is called "Flying Monk." It is a stretch of my skills, but not my muscles.

5) Admire, strive but don't compare.  Seeing someone do a sport well is inspiring and, I think, worth watching. But, we suffer when we compare ourselves to others. When doing, look inward. When seeking a new goal, look out.
6) Dress for success.  Take yourself and your sport seriously. Wear the right gear for the exercise and you'll be more comfortable and able to go longer.
7) Breathe.  Deep, steady breathing is key to both yoga and running.
8) Nice bod! After training for a marathon or doing yoga for 4 months, a new you is going to be walking around - leaner, stronger and able to do things you only once imagined.
9) Anyone can do it. Pregnant women, heavy-set guys, amputees and you all have something in common - you can do a marathon and yoga. A couple of weeks ago, an 80-year-old man completed the Pikes Peak Marathon the day after running the Pikes Peak Half Marathon. Do you still think you can't do it? See number 2.

Newsday team before a Long Island Summer Run

10) Solo or group? To improve your form, get motivated and maybe share a few laughs, practice yoga or run with others. For a more introspective, quiet time, leave the crowd behind. 

If you think of more, share!

See you on the trails!