Cold, Rain, Wind and Limited Space

Greetings! An injured ankle, cold weather and rain led to a late exercise our third day in Paris. Shannan and I set out for our day of sightseeing and I planned to run later in day. Shortly after 2:00 pm we returned to the hotel. Outside it was misty, windy and generally unpleasant. I decided to workout in the room. 

Those of you who have visited Europe know it's not uncommon to have VERY limited space in hotel rooms. Nonetheless, I managed to get in an anaerobic routine in the tight area using resistance bands. Feeling a bit guilty I worked hard and ended up with a good workout. This was great in light of the weather and my injured ankle. Here's a preachy moment: You can  excise every day if you really commit to the cause. Don't let situations present obstacles or create excuses not to exercise. Find a way. Make it happen.

Tom

18 Years and Counting!

Greetings! Turning 18 is a major milestone and a point of many rites of passage for folks in the United States. This week I celebrated the 18^th anniversary of The Streak, exercising every single day.  In the first few years of The Streak I read an article noting that in order to burn fat you need to engage in at least 18 minutes of exercise. Personally, I set a minimum of running three miles to preserve The Streak. Depending on the setting, I run 3 miles in 19 to 23 minutes. So, I felt that was a good match for the 18 minute mark.

As you may know, there is a large organization of runners in the U.S. who run every day. Folks who run at least one (1) mile every day for over a year get included on the Running Streak List.  I am NOT on that list as I don’t run every day.  I include a wide range of cardio and resistance training as options for daily exercise (for me, walking, no matter how far or brisk, does not count).  As far as I know, there is not a formal group for people like me, who do aerobic or anaerobic exercise every day, though I feel certain there are great numbers of us. 

Thus, I draw on the data from Run Every Day list.  According to their current records, my 18 year old Streak places me at 114^th overall on the list and 10^th in GA.  The longest running streak in America is sixty-four year old man from CA who has been running for over 45 years. The oldest running streak in GA in a sixty-eight man from Jonesboro who has been running for 41 years. These guys and the other people above me on the list are inspirations, for sure.

I am extraordinarily grateful to have The Streak as a part of my life. I find daily exercise to be a holistic panacea. I am thankful for the wherewithal to get up and get moving every day and the people around me who support The Streak and celebrate with me. Thank you!

Run. Exercise. 18 Years and Counting!

Tom

Check. Plan. Run.

Greetings! Weather in Atlanta has been erratic at best of late.  This is not new for us in the City too Busy to Hate. Many years ago I learned to plan for my run. Once you get started the elements will not be as bad as your psyche makes them out to be. For me, it’s cold or rain, especially in combination, that cause delay in actually heading out to run. Usually within a few minutes my mind and body adjust. That is not to suggest I take off in 32 degrees in a tank top. I do check weather reports and plan accordingly. To the surprise of many, I always run in shorts no matter the temperature. 

Tina, my running coach, from some years ago made a case for shorts. Since her admonition I've run in sleet, ice (not too smart regardless of apparel), snow and at the frozen base of Mount cook in New Zealand. Tina is correct. The legs take care of themselves. I find fingers and ears to be a different story. I steer away from winter running without gloves and something to cover my ears.

As noted above, I live in Atlanta. Here, heat and humidity seem to encourage many female runners to hit the road in job bras and guys to go shirtless.  Bad call. I think at this stage of medical advice everyone knows of the sun’s potential to damage human skin. Furthermore, wearing a tee shirt will actually keep your body cooler. It helps to create a natural air conditions system in tandem with perspiration. 

Whatever the weather, take a minute to check the forecast and dress for a comfort and safety.

Check. Plan. Run.

Tom