Dreading the Cold? Do This Instead.
Winter isn't everybody's cup of tea. It's cold, it's wet, and the roads suck if the weather is particularly heavy. We get it. And if you don't have a winter activity to get you out the door or excited for the coming months, it can be easy to wallow in the multi-month waiting period before your favorite activities are possible. Today, we're here to change your mind. Maybe not about the cold or your dislike for all things snow-related, but that these seemingly dreary months can actually be your best prep windows for the warm days to come.The Objective
before we can talk about what to do, you need to ask yourself what your objective is. Do you simply want a way to get out of the house this winter? Do you need an activity to make it more enjoyable to sit through? Are you looking for a way to stay connected to the community you love whose season isn't right now? Now that you've thought about it, let's take a peek at your options.Training
These frigid months are the perfect time to get serious about training for your spring objectives. Getting out the door to get stronger or faster for the spring is a great way to get yourself focused on something other than the weather. If you don't have a particular objective in mind, you can work on general maintenance, but this is also a good time to start thinking about what you might want to accomplish in your sport and tailor your workouts towards that. Does this objective require a faster pace? Maybe you'll build in some speed workouts. Maybe there's more vert than you've ever conquered before, so the stair stepper and your backpack end up being your tools. if you don't have anything in mind, cross-training by swimming laps at the pool or joining a climbing gym are just a handful of really fun ways we can move our bodies indoors. You can even create workouts to suit the space you have at home. But in the end, movement and motivation will be the key. And if you feel like you need a friend, bring a friend to join you, or make some new ones...Find Meetupup or Group to Join
A simple Google search will be able to tell you about any groups or meet-ups in your area for people trying to connect with others who share the same interests. These don't have to be focused on working out or getting ready for the physical activity either, but rather, building communities you can take into the next season. And if you're already a part of one, this might be an opportunity to connect with folks who share similar, non-outdoors-related interests with you. Maybe it's a beginner's guitar class or a history club. Maybe the group is centered around a team or a cause you care for deeply. Whatever it is, finding people who you can share conversation and time with can make even the worst of the winter days better.Relax
Maybe just waiting the winter out and enjoying some downtime is exactly what you need. A winter indoors might mean the chance to take up a yoga practice and restore your body after a long season of thrashing. Maybe it's a chance to catch up on some reading or get to those projects around the house you haven't gotten to. This might also be a great period to catch up with friends and family you haven't seen over the warmer months. The options are truly endless, and releasing ourselves of the "go-go-go" mindset can be deeply beneficial. Allowing our minds and bodies to rest can bring us back even stronger when the thaw comes around.Winter only lasts so long, and there are so many tools to help get us through these colder, darker days. Whatever you choose, we hope you find a way to turn this season on its head and have a blast! Have fun, be safe, and we'll see you out there.