Why we should get out and about this New Year
Enjoying the Goal Mile in Belleek, Ballina on Christmas Morning were Edel, Paul, Tom and John McGarry. Picture: John O'Grady.
There are many reasons why we all should get some exercise and get out and about in the fresh air this New Year period, and I’m going to list a few of them to remind us all of the why and how. This might encourage us to get up and move out when we are cosy by the hearth at home.
When the wind is howling outside and the rain is hammering off the windows, it’s dark, cold and dreary, but we are indoors in the heat, with the smell of beautiful food, the Christmas candles burning and lots of reading and TV, why would we venture out? Well, because the outdoors, nature and exercise have this wonderful ability of making us feel good, alive, energised and cleansed, leaving us with a feel-good factor that will last all day. If we are the person in the house that everyone depends on, sometimes the festivities and the constant demands can take their toll, not only on our bodies but also on our minds and our moods. That cooped up feeling can make us feel enclosed, captured, and dreary. My motto? Just run outside.
From family, noise, housework and heat! After a few days of everyone hanging in each other’s pockets, we can need some ‘me’ time. What better way than to put on the runners and just head off. No need to be rushing or looking at the time; the longer you’re away, the freer you become and the more prepared you are to face again what you left behind earlier. Particularly if we have extra demands on us, small children, family and neighbours that we like to care for, teenagers, or health problems of your own or your family, ‘walking away’ can give us some well-deserved me time that can be so hard to find at this time of the year. We all love being with our families and friends but sometimes we need an escape. If you live nearby a river, lake or by the sea, a walk or run beside bright blue water fills us with an immeasurable sense of peace, a chance to escape the hyper-connected, over-stimulated state of modern-day life, in favour of stillness, peacefulness, reflections, waves, splashes, waterfalls. We are drawn towards the water for its therapeutic benefits. The sea air clears our lungs, the sightings of swans, ducks, reflections or lighthouses fill our minds with beauty. The sound of the ocean rings happiness in our ears, the smell and taste of the saltwater brings us nearer to a natural world, fulfilling us with a calmness that will make us want more and so we look forward to tomorrow’s escape.
Exercise gives us a routine to otherwise non-structured days. Even though we might not think it, after a few days of brunches, breakfasts at 11am and no lunch, we can get a bit fed up of hanging around. Tensions can build between family members and our stress levels begin to rise. We are all creatures of habit and love routine, particularly children – they cannot cope with a few late nights as their internal morning alarm clock will still have them up at the same time. I guarantee you if you go out alone, leave the phone behind, go a different direction, pick a different route, time will stop still, you will become immersed in the beauty surrounding you, your senses will be awakened. You will forget the tension back home, you will have relieved some of the bloating and that sluggish feeling. You will return hungry and crave some healthy food for a change. You will meet people on route; a neighbour who has returned home for Christmas, a friend not seen for years, visitors to the area and many people out for the same reasons. Smile, stop and have the chats because you have the time. For once you do not need to rush back for work, chores, sport or whatever the norm usually is.
Sometimes we can be unconsciously stressed, we can be angry but we don’t realise it. With many late nights we can become overtired and this can put us in a bad mood. When we are tired we tend to over eat and over indulge in the things that make us feel good right now but not later. Going for a walk or run, cycle or swim, wakes us up, releases the stress, us returning refreshed, resulting in better sleep, our minds and bodies now freed again.
We all deserve to treat ourselves, particularly at this time of the year. There is an abundance of beautiful food, both healthy and rich, both homemade and bought, both alcohol and caffeine. Whatever it is we love, we will thoroughly enjoy it, we will appreciate the pleasures and we will share our indulgences with family and friends. When we exercise it works up a hunger, it makes us feel like we deserve our treats and so we do. Now that time allows, each day if we do a little stroll, jog, trek or whatever you enjoy (because it must be fun otherwise you won’t go), then we can get to enjoy some of what we love on return. Sometimes though, our appetite fades after exercise and one finds you don’t eat as much, which is all ‘food for thought’.
Exercise can bring a wonderful social element to our lives, we can arrange to meet family and friends, we can encourage our nearest and dearest to come along with us and have some fun. Many GAA clubs will have held the traditional fun over the Christmas period and also internal matches; a few years ago it was married versus singles or over 30s versus over 40s, but now it’s usually a more balanced competition with more even teams divided out on the field. Many local charities also organise fun runs which are a great way to meet our friends while having a bit of banter and raising money for worthy causes. Our adventure choices are endless in the west of Ireland – to mention just a few in South Mayo, there’s Knock Ma, Cong to Clonbur woods, Brownsisland, Moorehall, Kilkeerin and Land of the Giants. Most of these routes are trail, forest or mountain treks, and some have all three. If you have the time go exploring, bring the flask, some goodies and a magical morning will be had by all the family; believe me they will want to go again the next day. These simple, local but wonderful events bring communities, families and strangers together, to have fun in a carefree, non-expensive, natural environment where participation is for all and everyone gains. Let’s all try and partake and support our local events and charities where we can.
As the song goes, ‘All I want for Christmas’ is some new running gear. My family know me so well; my favourite presents are new gear. This time of year I won’t spend a fortune on training gear because winter running in Ireland involves getting covered in muck, gutter and dirt most mornings so a lot of the time I wear the same comfy tough old gear and the free gear from competitions while the good wear is kept for events.
Gear gets left behind at training and races and so at times like Christmas, I get spoilt with fab gear. Everyone loves a present but it’s not just the present, it’s the thought and so I most certainly am not fussy – but when you do something you love, any presents around your hobby are a welcome gift. It also makes me think about less waste, reusable items and how we can do our bit for the environment.
This Christmas perhaps you were bought a new pair of runners, rain jacket, a head torch, a bright yellow top, a Fitbit… the choice is endless. You’ll be excited to wear and try out your new gear. It does not have to cost much, it can be passed on and if you don’t get what you want, well maybe there’s an event with a new free t-shirt. I know I will certainly wear any new presents with pride.
I love to have time over the holiday season, to run, explore and enjoy the routes that I love so well, with family and friends and sometimes alone. While out on my adventures my mind begins to wander back, first to last January, to the New Year’s resolutions. I am filled with happiness, as I could never have planned for some wonderful achievements. I reminisce and remember all the many good times, particularly with the Irish team. As I further travel through my journey, nature allows me deeply think about what could be improved on and thoughts begin to flow around some goals for another year. Climbing the tough hills against the December wind have helped me to plan for these next twelve months.
Whatever your ups and downs in 2023, take a few moments to reflect, lace up a pair of runners and begin to move. Get outdoors, take notice of your surroundings, begin to think, make some plans, think positive, you will surprise yourself with what you have achieved; you will live in the present and look forward to the future.
Wherever the road takes you this rest of the holiday season, enjoy the moments – the weather is always with us, it’s only the clothing we need to get right. The heat, the smell of beautiful food, the Christmas candles still burning, the books and TV, will all still be waiting when we return. The kettle will still be warm, the seat by the hearth will still be free but most of all, we will be free. Tomorrow the river, lake or sea, forest, mountain or trail will have a space for us and we will return.
Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy, restful and energised, natural and beautiful New Year with family and friends, surrounded by love, laughter and light-heartedness, bringing us to towards a fresh, bright, new, positive start to 2024 where all our dreams and wishes will come true.
