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I was out on my walk/run this morning and as I approached the school there were a lot of cars coming and going. There are no sidewalks near this school and so the cars were not able to get over for me to stay safe on the side of the road, I would march in someone’s driveway while I waited and then strike out again. This made me want to write to you today to ensure you are staying safe & getting in your workouts.
We live in a distracted world. There are virtual billboards and lights flashing, it seems like everywhere. We are constantly checking social media, emails, & text messages while driving. Yes, I know it is illegal to do this, but it doesn’t stop everyone. We have choices & if caught those choices come with consequences, hefty ones that hit your pocketbook $$$.
If you are one of these people stop, please. Not just for the other drivers around you but also those walking, biking or running around in your local community.
How many times have you been backing out of a parking place & all of a sudden there is a person there that was in your blind spot? What about the car speeding past you in a school zone only to look over and see that they are more focused on the electronic in their hand than where they are, the posted speed sign, & flashing lights alerting them of the school zone? Have you ever been this person?Pull over and take care of what is needed and then continue on with your day. Facebook, pinterest, twitter & instagram will all be there when you reach your destination.
I want to encourage you to get out, take a walk, go running, or bicycle. These are great exercises to get your heart pumping & releasing some feel good endorphins. If you don’t like to go alone, find a friend or a bunch of friends to go with.
As you are out and about here are some tips on being safe:
- Know your surroundings-make sure to go in areas that you are familiar with.
- Take a buddy or more-If there is someplace you would like to explore take a friend or multiple friends with you. It is not people that we always have to be aware of. Cities are seeing more animals in them as they grow and they can be dangerous.
- Be aware of the people around you-I am not saying be afraid. Just make sure you know if someone is near. Pay attention to their actions. Do they seem normal or harmless or should you switch sides of the street or go another direction.
- Carry protection with you-If you have a carry permit and are not anti-gun carry a gun with you. If you don’t believe guns should be in public then carry pepper spray with you. If you do carry pepper spray make sure to note the expiration date and replace it as needed. Another weapon you can use are your car keys. Place them between your fingers, sticking out that if you need to jab someone or something with them they are always available. Tasers are another thing I know some runners keep with them.
- Sidewalks or walking paths-use them if they are available. This keeps you away from traffic.
- Stop-if your body is not responding well to exercise that day it is ok to stop and head back home. If you are unable to get back home call a friend to come pick you up or sit & wait 5 min and try to head home. If it is an emergency please call 911.
- Hydrate-make sure to hydrate before you go out, especially on really hot or cold days. This keeps your core body temperature stable. If you are able to carry water with you, do. This will help hydrate you on your workout.
- Dress appropriately-make sure to dress for the weather outside. If you are a warm blooded person and it is freezing outside still cover your ears, fingers & nose. Frostbite is not something to be trifled with and should be treated by a doctor if you don’t cover yourself properly. You can also run during the warmest part of the day in the winter to keep from being too cold. In all seasons put on your sunblock. You can tan even with sunblock on and it protects your skin from harmful UV rays. Every pale person knows what a sunburn is like in the summer! Protect yourself as much as possible. Loose fitting, sheer cotton shirts will still allow you to run in the summer but protect your skin. Another good summer tip is run before the sun is up.
- Step aside- step to the side of the road and let cars, other people or animals pass you.
- Watch out-distractions occur to everyone. My last tip here is watch because they are not watching you. Whether you are the one in the car or outside, always be watching for everyone & everything else. Treat it as if everything around you is not paying attention to you. If you are crossing in a crosswalk don’t cross until ALL the cars stop. If you are riding in the bike lane make sure you know how many cars are approaching you. Treat each animal that may come across your path cautiously. Be on guard, be more aware than everything around you.
I want to encourage you again to get outside and be physically active, all while being aware of what is going on around you. Treat each car, person, animal as if they aren’t watching for you, but you are watching for them. Feel free to share this post with your friends & share in the comments your tips for outdoor workouts. Keep safe and thank you for taking this journey with me, one petal at a time.
Crystal