sweet, sweet summertime
- Christine
- Jun 21, 2015
- 3 min read
Ahh sweet summer, here at last. Snow filled days with sub-zero temperatures are finally a thing of the past and now the sun shines down, hot and bright. It won't be long before people look back wistfully on the winter months, wishing for the day that the temperature drops below 80 degrees while they sit in front of the air conditioner. When the temperature spikes it is easy to become holed up inside, air conditioning and Netflix to keep you company, but don't let the hot weather cause you to slack on your fitness goals.
I'll admit it is harder for me to put on my running shoes at 3 in the afternoon once May rolls around, but there are ways around working out during the sweltering afternoon hours. Now I'm not here to tell you to get up and run at 6 a.m. because believe me, I'm not doing that either. Instead, I got right around 7:30 p.m. before the sun goes down. By then, the temperature has dropped and it’s a bit more comfortable than it is earlier in the day. Another tip is to let your body get used to the weather of a new season. I had never known before that transitioning from season to season was so difficult until I read a few blogs that talked about heat acclimation. For the first few weeks of summer, it's best to slow down your pace as well as cut back on distance. Before you know it, your mileage will be back where I was. Unfortunately for me, my pace is still slower now than it was in April, but I can live with that.
Now I know not everyone is a runner, but there are other (fun!) ways to stay active in the summer. Some are even enjoyable when it's nearing 100 degrees. Some of my favorite summer activities include hiking, bike riding, swimming, and playing sports with friends. As with most things, being active is more fun with friends.
Hiking is easily my favorite outdoor pastime. It gives me an opportunity to see the world through different eyes, allowing me to feel more in tune with the world around me and less so with the electronic world we are currently living in. It's nice to disconnect for a while and just be completely taken in by nature, breathing in the fresh mountain air. Pocahontas was really onto something, let me tell you. The best part about hiking is you can go at any time, although I'd recommend not going at night. Climbing around on a mountain at night is pretty terrifying. Just make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks. I also recommend a first aid kit, just in case.
Bike riding is also a super fun way to burn some calories while having fun with your friends. All you need is a bike and again, plenty of water. I'm lucky enough where I live to be surrounded by old railroad beds that have been converted into bike trails, but trails aren't necessary for bike riding. The road will suffice. Typically when I'm out on the trails with my friends we pack a lunch and are out for hours, usually starting in the morning and riding well into the afternoon. Be forewarned, you will be sore the following day, but it's a satisfying pain.
After my bike ride, there's nothing better than jumping in the pool for a swim. Even if your not swimming laps, paddling around in the pool is still more activity than sitting on the couch watching TV.
Finally, if you have a group of friends, get everyone together at the park and play some pick-up games. Volleyball is always a hit with my friends, followed by soccer. Basketball is always a good choice too. Heck, I've even played whiffle ball (unsuccessfully) at summer picnics.
Recently, my boyfriend and I started playing tennis, and while I'm not very good, I am improving. It's also a great workout. The next day, my arm hurt in all sorts of weird places. I guess the point is, even if it's one on one, you can still kick around a ball or bump a volleyball back and forth. I really believe that there is something for everyone, it's just a matter of finding the right people to get active with and having the will to get started. But be warned, once you start, it's hard to stop.
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