I don’t dig gyms. In fact, I pretty much avoid them whenever possible. My workout buddies and I meet up each day and do our workouts in neighborhoods, at parks, or in my backyard. Outdoors - that’s my kind of gym.
Left to right: Dolores, Carol, Melina and Koa, Romero (down low with his butt facing you), Laura G., Shauna, Laura M., and Me
This time of year in Santa Barbara, my gym gets even bigger and better. The weather is starting to make the transition toward summer. Sunny days, with warmer temperatures, and oh . . . the smells and the feeling in the air. It’s time to take advantage of it. So we changed our workout plan yesterday.
Instead of doing our scheduled workout for the day, we hit the trails – Cold Spring Trail to be exact – all seven of us. Make that nine – if you count the baby and the dog. And how could you not count them they’re so cute.
Our youngest workout buddy on his first hike!
One dirty, happy dog - at the end of the run.
We split into two groups and made got all friendly with nature. My group (the runners) did the full loop. This trail starts with a steep hill climb, gives you a breathtaking view where it plateaus at the top, then heads gently downhill, along a great stream. I ran all the way to the top of that first hill, though my dog, Romero might disagree. He wasn’t so sure I was actually “running.” It was so steep, making my progress at times rather slow. He kept looking back at me with that “would you hurry it up already” look.
The rest of my group, either hiked up that nasty part or mixed up running and hiking to get to the top. I made it up in just under 19 minutes so I did some planks and some bodyweight rows while waiting for them.
Then we got our reward. An utterly gorgeous path that goes pretty much downhill, winding through the trees, boulders and the stream. This part felt so wonderful – cruising downhill, maneuvering around and over rocks. It was almost effortless. Almost.
I felt like I was just gliding along the path.
The two Laura’s flew past me at lightning speeds within the first 200 yards of this downhill section. I heard their footsteps approaching fast, then I saw their backsides for a few minutes. After that they were history . . . along with Romero. He loves to be the trail leader.
Dolores and Shauna cruising downhill.
Our walking group hit the trail in the opposite direction, hiking up the trail enjoying the views while working out those legs. Apparently Melina had snuck a camera along and caught a few shots of the scenery, her walking buddy, Carol, and a few of us runners when we passed them.
Looks like Carol was having a blast!
I am so in love with trail running. I feel so one with nature, so fueled by the energy all around me, loving the fresh air and the to-die-for scenery. When you run trails, it sort of forces you to be focused and in the moment. If you let your mind wander for a second, you might just mis-step, hit a rock, and find yourself doing what Laura M. called a Superman.
Apparently she had a Superman Moment on the downhill section. Flying along, she mis-stepped and she was up, up, and away. Until she hit the ground, that is. Wham! She was a bit dirty, had a tear in her capris, and had a few scrapes, but otherwise she she survived her intimate moment with Mother Earth.
No matter where you live, you’ve got some sort of outdoor gym or playground waiting for you. Maybe it’s a beach, or some hiking trails through the woods or foothills, or a park. This is the time of year to get out there and make use of your outdoor gym. It’s so much better than any gym. No sweaty equipment, no padded seats, no loud assaulting music, no stagnant air, no fluorescent lights, and no lines. Just you and nature – everything you need for a great workout. Heck, I used trees, boulders, and ground and worked cardio, lower body, upper body and my core.
Where are you heading for your next workout?
Follow ME!