In or Out?

So, the sunshine and the spring have finally made a very welcome appearance! How much of a difference do they make to your life and your mood?

I find the sunshine puts a few extra smiles in the world and that can only be a good thing!

My gym membership ended last month and so I have been experiencing the joys of outdoor exercise again for the first time since I was training for the marathon last year (and even then I only did a handful of outdoor runs if I am honest!).

As I was running along the river to Hampton Court yesterday, I compiled a list of pros and cons to my new outdoor cadio v my old friend, the gym….

Outdoor pros

• Sunshine
• Fresh Air
• Lung work out
• Seeing life
• Enjoying the views
• More interesting
• Opportunity to try different routes
• A chance to explore the area
• Inspiration for new places to take the kids
• It’s free
• Endless variety
• Start working out the minute I leave the house, no need for travel
• No smelly people on the treadmill next to me spraying their sweat across
• No need to always have £1 for lockers

Outdoor cons

• The little bug things that keep flying in my mouth/up my nose
• No trashy TV to watch or BBC news to catch up on or radio to listen to
• Having to take and carry as much water as I’ll need
• Being slightly scared of the woods/river path even though I always go safe routes my imagination does override my common sense on occasions
• It’s not right next to Sainsbury so I can’t link gym/shopping, bike ride home (although this should go under pros too as Sainsbury shopping after a run was dangerous as I would be so hungry, I’d buy way too much!)
• No little digital information provider telling me how far/long/fast I’ve been running
• If I run too far, I’ve still got to get myself home
• Weather dependant

13 v 8

In conclusion, I have found that my new al fresco style exercise is better all round!

Enjoy the sunshine and smiles x