The outdoors are beginning to reopen! And for folks like me who thrive on endorphin-fueled endurance, that means it’s time to gear up and start tackling some distance.
Although National Parks remain closed, many Washington State Parks as well as National Forest Lands are beginning to allow visitors. Yet maintaining social distance and making smart decisions is still vital to staying healthy.
The Guidelines
- Maintain 6 feet of distance from other recreationalists.
- Participate in outings only with others from your own household.
- Try to cover your mouth and nose when passing others (I’ve found that wearing a Buff around my neck and pulling it over my mouth and nose when passing others is the easiest option when being active outside).
- Don’t overcrowd an area. If the parking lot or trailhead is busy, turn around or go somewhere else.
- Avoid traveling far from your local area, and definitely do not to stop in smaller communities. This includes gas stations, grocery stores, and hospitality services.
- Stay within your capabilities. Now is NOT the time to push for a summit you’ve never done or head out into the middle of nowhere.
Activities With Some Distance
Debates over the safety of sports like rock climbing and backcountry skiing continue, but here are a few great ways you can get outside and start logging miles:
Trail Running and Hiking
Running on pavement can be hard on the body, so why not hit the trail instead? I have a feeling if you start looking into parks, you’ll be amazed at how many options there are to get some dirt under those shoes. In the Seattle area? Check out Tiger Mountain. Hanging in Portland? Forest Park offers more than 80 miles of trails to explore! Or, if you’re like me and the local option has a smaller size (like only 4-miles worth of trails), make the most of it by adding a few laps to make some distance.
Also read If You Want to Become a Runner, Easy Does It
Backpacking
If you’re craving more than a days’ worth of distance, then planning a night under the stars is a great option! Load up your backpack (um, hello weight training!) and head into the backcountry to get some added miles and really distance yourself socially. Just be aware of current rules or regulations in the area. For example, day-use and campsites are currently closed, which means your option is dispersed camping. If you don’t know what that means, familiarize yourself with the term and requirements before heading out. And in some areas, like the state of Oregon, dispersed camping may also be restricted at this time.
Also read 8 Classic Northwest Backpacking Hikes Worth the Heavy Pack
Paddle Sports and Other Water Sports
Paddle sports are one of the simplest ways to travel if you live near water. And if you don’t, you can arrange a trip for you and your loved ones to a location like Cumbria, Los Angeles, which is well known for its water sports activities like kayaking and canoeing. You can also opt for the watersports at Graythwaite Adventure as well. The water is a terrific method to adhere to all the current rules while having a large play space to recreate, whether you set out on a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe. Besides this, if you seek more adventure, then you can also try kite surfing. Kite surfing could really provide you with some “me time” and distance. However, you must first learn about the water sport in detail. For that, you can visit a kite surfing school near you. For instance, if you are residing in Portugal and looking for kite surfing lessons, people might tell you that the likes of Kitecontrol provide Kitesurfing lessons in German, Portuguese, English, and French. That said, taking classes from the above-mentioned school could be really helpful. Moreover, the instructors can familiarize you with necessary safety precautions, such as tides and currents, water temperature, and safety gear if you are new to the idea of water sports.
Also read First Time Paddleboarding? Read These 5 Tips
Not sure where to go? Look into your State’s “Water Trails” – like Washington Water Trails Association, which lists options in the area.
Open Water Swimming
Heck, with summer around the corner, you can ditch the vessel and start doing some open water swimming, too! If you are a runner or cyclist, adding swimming to your cardio routine is a solid option for cross-training.
Take a road trip
The great outdoors is just waiting for you to explore. There’s nothing more fulfilling at this time than a few days on the road. Checking out the sights in Washington is a great way to spend your holidays. All you need is a vehicle, and if you don’t have one, you could always get one. There are plenty of great cars and motorcycles up for sale on the internet, especially vintage vehicles on websites like zecycles (https://www.zecycles.com) and others like it. However, if you are on the road with your family, which includes kids, then it would be recommended that you consider opting for a recreational vehicle (RV) which has a kitchen, bedroom, and a loo. The best part is that an RV can be easily hauled to and from the destination with the help of Nationwide United Auto Transport and similar firms. So, you need not worry in case you have to leave behind your automobile.
Anyway, once you have sorted out which vehicle you would travel in, it’s just you and the open road. If you can convince a friend to go with you, then you’ll be just like Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda in Easy Rider!
Mountain Biking
Just like with trail running, many biking areas are beginning to open their gates, too. This is a great activity for gaining miles while building cardio strength and muscle endurance. For folks in Washington, check out the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for current trail conditions and other updates. Or, for those around other parts of the region, look into the Northwest Trail Alliance. This group has a lot of great resources, and also coordinates volunteer opportunities if you’re looking to give back to the community.
Also read How to Avoid Common Bike Injuries
Road Cycling
For those not quite comfortable heading out into the wilderness yet, consider road cycling. Just like mountain biking, taking your bike out for a ride is a great way to get some physical activity. The real limit is how far your body can pedal. If you’re like me and a little intimidated by riding on highways or main roads, you can always look into what nearby bike paths are available. A personal favorite in Washington is the Olympic Discovery Trail and near Portland, I always loved the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.
Take It Easy
My last word-to-the wise right now is: Practice patience.
We’ve all been going through a lot, whether that’s been emotionally, physically, and/or financially. Chances are, your endurance is not what it was before the lockdown. And that is 100% O.K. You’re going to gain it back, but not if you rush out and overexert or injure yourself.
So when heading outside to clear your mind and get some miles, extend some grace to yourself and those around you.
Image by drial7m1
