Embrace the snow!

With my children grown, I don't often get the opportunity to go sledding, or participate in many of the fun activities that made us love the snow when we were kids.  But I live in New England, where winters are cold and often harsh, and staying tucked indoors waiting for the cold to break make the season seem that much more interminable.

No!  I needed to find a way to embrace the snow, something to make my heart skip a beat when I see those first flakes float down from the gloomy gray sky.  I need something akin to those ocean-loving dudes in California and Hawaii closing down shop with the cry “Surfs up!”

I am a runner, but too consciously cautious of the injuries that might befall me running on icy terrain, and if I get hurt, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy running for a long time. But…what if I run on skis?  I don’t mean to imply the activity where people gracefully meander through beautifully groomed trails. No. I strap on my skis, jump onto the Linear Trail in my town, and traverse the snowy path, moving along as fast as I can, which isn't always that speedy. 

I don’t listen to music; I don’t need conversation. The woosh-swoosh sound is music to my ears, as I dig my poles in, kick back my skis, and leave behind parallel trails of my stress.  Back home, I peel off my sweat-soaked layers and bask in the afterglow of a work-out well had…until next time.

Be safe in winter sports and make sure you remember to dress appropriately for the weather, and in layers, and don't forget to hydrate.  See American College of Sports Medicine recommendations here. http://ow.ly/I5wjA