Some may scoff at running outdoors in the wintertime, but for me, it is a necessary fact of life that helps me decompress. I prefer it to running in the heat, actually, even when the temperature drops.
There is no therapy like a run around Reeds Lake, especially the stretch along the East Beltline. The area is serene enough that I go without ear buds, and allow the peacefulness to remove any anxiety.
Reeds Lake is where I got my start. I challenged myself to make it all the way around. I'll never forget the first time I did. A friend was rollerblading while I ran. The area is secluded in the fall and winter, but those are the times it is most beautiful.
When the temperature goes below 25 degrees, I wear extra layers, and if I get too hot, I can always take a layer off. I also have a fleece scarf that I breathe through every couple of minutes. It takes the edge off my lungs so that the coldness isn't as harsh on the body. I'd recommend these tips to anyone unaccustomed to winter running.
I don't run every day, but at the end of the days I do, I feel lighter. It removes the stress, and makes me feel better about eating Mexican food.
Written by: Julie Kalinowski has called Grand Rapids home since birth. She is a professed lover of her Grandma’s homemade Polish food, and she has a degree in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University.
