Take a Hike! Tips for taking your exercise routine outdoors, by Debbie Tullos
The changing of the season sparks a primal urge to commune with nature and abandon the gym for the great outdoors. One of the easiest ways to do this is head to the nearest park. City parks, gardens, and myriad other outdoor spaces are available to most people year-round. Before jumping onto the trail, take the time to do a few easy, common sense things to stay safe and maximize enjoyment of the experience.
1) Map your trail. The idea of driving right over to the park and cranking up the pedometer may be tempting, but mapping out a route for your walk or jog is essential for a couple of reasons.
- Many parks have lots of trails that vary widely in length, difficulty, and even the type of traffic allowed. You really don't want to be surprised by a group of horseback riders coming up on the left.
- Losing your bearings is easier than you may think. Multiple trails, multiple parking lots, multiple entry points...they can all start to look alike. Before you know it, a 45-minute walk has turned into 3 hours of trying to find the way back to your car.
2) Use trail etiquette. Check for specific rules and regs for any particular park, but some practices are useful on all trails.
- Keep to the right. This allows faster users to pass on the left. If you approach someone from behind and intend to pass, give a verbal warning of, "On your left!"
- Mind your pets. Keep dogs on a leash and please pick up behind your pet. Please.
- Be mindful of where you stop. Stopping on the trail is occasionally necessary to tie a shoe or get a bug out of your eye. Stop in appropriate places away from blind corners. No one wants to turn a corner at full speed and slam into someone standing still.
3) Don't be a target. Although being attacked on a trail is unlikely, it does happen. There are a few simple things that will further minimize this risk.
- Take a buddy. Would-be attackers seek easy targets and they know that a buddy is an instant alarm system, and self-defense times two.
- Be easy to see. Wear light-colored clothing and avoid being on the trails at night.
- Be aware. To put it another way, leave the iPod at home! Nothing says, "Sneak up on me," like wires hanging from ear buds.
- Don't wear jewelry. Just like barracuda, unsavory types are attracted to shiny objects. If you aren't fishing for trouble, leave the bait at home.
- Be confident. Predators observe body language. A person who has a confident carriage is much less attractive than someone who looks afraid and insecure.
Exercising in the great outdoors is one of the great pleasures in life, good for the body and soul, if you remember to be prepared, be courteous, and be careful.
