My running tends to hit a low-point during the summer months. This may seem counterintuitive because of the great weather, but it happens every year. Maybe it’s my body’s way of slowing down to rest before ramping up for a big fall race. Maybe it’s the hot and humid weather, which frequently renders me lazy and prone to midday naps. Call me crazy, but it’s really much easier for me to hit the road on a chilly November morning than a languid July day.
I usually can convince myself that this is ok. It’s normal to not feel like running every single day. Besides, this downtime with temperatures that are conducive to being outdoors is perfect for trying out some other summer activities and hanging out with friends.
- Biking. Try a tandem for extra fun. There are several places in Chicago that rent tandems for the day. At Bike and Roll, a tandem is $20 per hour or $50 for the day.
- Kayaking. Chicago River Canoe & Kayak cardio workouts are only $15 per class. There are also fun outings like the Moonlight Dinner Paddle, which includes a picnic, for $45.
- Swimming. Maybe even in the lake. Not a swimmer? Try aqua jogging; it’s easy and really is a good workout. Order an aqua jogger belt online for about $50.
- Walking. Yes, it’s ok to walk sometimes. Grab that friend or significant other who never wants to run with you and go for a long walk on a weekend morning.
Making another activity a part of your weekly routine can have a positive impact on your running overall. By varying your workouts, you can avoid metal burnout, strengthen muscle groups you don’t normally use running, and spend more quality time with friends and family.
Print
E-mail
Leslie Patton
I moved to the Chicago area about two months ago to start graduate school at Northwestern. So far, so good. More
Comments
Post new comment