Today I ran a course that I have never run before. My wife has some medical issues that currently prevent her from driving, so I took her to an appointment east of where we live, more in North Austin. So, while she was at her appointment I ran the Walnut Creek Trail, which I now know is a great 5.5km course that connects two parks. So, close to an 11km round trip.
The trail is great – fully paved with an extra wide sidewalk and enough elevation change to add some physical challenge. Also, it goes under a major surface street and a freeway, so you can run the trail without having to stop for traffic. It winds back and forth over Walnut Creek, sometimes close to the water and sometime 30-40 feet above. Also, there are stretches where you can actually forget that you are in the middle of a city. Overall, a very nice experience.
Normally with my job I travel a lot and always enjoy getting to run in new places. However, with no travel in the last several months I have largely run close to home. Driving a few miles to run in a different area has been a nice way to break up the routine and add some diversity to my exercise.
A tip – when running an area that you don’t really know, it’s good to start out at an easy pace and make sure you are able to accomplish your run. Once you get a feel for the terrain and the conditions, you can adjust accordingly.
So, how does this apply to life in general? First, from a fitness perspective, it’s important to vary your routine to add some variety and keep things from getting old or stale. Second, this applies to life in general as well. I am a creature of habit, and routines are not really a problem for me. However, I realize that it’s good to do something different every once in a while. It broadens my perspective and brings experiences into my life that are invaluable.
Are you stuck due to routine and boredom? That’s not unusual this year. Actively seek ways to add some needed diversity and variety to your life and see where it leads.
Fitness and Life 