I haven't been skipping workouts. Not at all. I have actually been working harder than usual participating in some High Intensity Interval Training courtesy of Beachbody's Les Mills Combat. It is actually pretty kick-ass; punches and kicks and burpees galore and with at least an hour 6 days a week. I am feeling more flexible and strong than I have in a while. Check it out!
All of this said, I was beginning to feel increasingly grumpy. Now, it is no surprise that I get a bit weird if I don't go for my runs for a long stretch of time but I didn't realize how much I needed that outside time until I spent a couple of weeks working out indoors and on the dreaded treadmill. The holidays, the 5 hours of daylight a day, and the marvelous snow has forced me inside. I recently read this great article in Outside magazine that explained some of the possible scientific reasons for this. I highly recommend the article: Nature as medicine.
So this morning I bundled up for my 1st run of 2013. It was a good workout with sidewalks still quite snow-covered so there was some core work and my ankles are quite tender tonight. It was grueling work and the wind was a bit raw and I was in the best mood I have been in days. There is something more to it than getting a good sweat on. I needed to be outside, for the sake of myself and the people around me who have to deal with my cranks. I ended the morning with a smoothie from the Maine Squeeze- a GreenLight with mango, pineapple, dates, kale and ginger. Perfection.
So, if you are feeling less than thrilled about this new year, try heading outside for a wee bit. You just might be smiling despite the bitter winter chill.
