February…the shortest month of the year. I was reminded of a Mark Twain quote yesterday: “30 days has September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31 except February which has 80”! Boy, it sure seems like the month of February can last forever. We are in the thick of Winter, the snow just does not quit. Everybody is getting sick, as we are seeing a ton of people with strep and influenza in the clinic. Some days just never come to an end. It makes it hard to get motivated to even want to exercise. You try to do things inside, but it gets boring quick. You try to go outside, but you have to be prepared for the cold, and the snow, and you have to pick your routes that are not going to be as icy. Sometimes you wonder if it is worth it. After I am finished with my workout, I can at least say I am glad it is done. But there is no question, February, especially this one, is a tough one.
There are times when you keep trying, but you feel like you are continuously going uphill. No end in sight. You just have to keep putting your head down, and go. Every once in awhile, look up, and you can see how far you have come, but it is work. Even for those of us in our run club, it gets tough to stay motivated to run out in this stuff. That is one thing that makes this group special…we keep pushing each other to try! None of us have all the answers, but when we work together, we definitely have more answers than if we are out by ourselves.
You look out the window and all you see is white…piles of it! I just heard last night that the extended weather forecast for Watertown beginning today, for the next week, we are expected to get 22 inches more of new snow! Are you kidding? Where are we gonna put it all? It is times like this when you really feel tested. I have to agree also that times like this that quote above from Mark Twain hits it head on…it really does feel like February has 80 days in it!
Watertown Park and Rec has definitely helped out a lot this Winter by keeping certain sections of the bike trail open so that it can be used to go run, or walk. It is much better than being out in the street. If it were not plowed, there is no way you could get through it. A big shout out to them from all of us who try and use the trail in the Winter: Thank you! It is much appreciated, not to mention much safer to be on the trail than on the road.
We are going to be starting our second week of February. The downhill process is starting. Valentines Day is coming, which is the one bright spot of the month. Spend with your someone special, or friends. The month does not have to be completely miserable. The speed of Winter getting over goes much faster once we hit March. We can at least start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to get through February!
Find that friend, or group, who can help keep you motivated to keep moving. Whether it is outside, or inside, just keep moving. Make the best out of the situation. We will appreciate the nice days later even more. The saying, “What does not kill you makes you stronger”! Keep telling yourself that. We, you, can do this! Make the best of a bad situation. I am so looking forward to Spring!
Here, Jill, Sarah, and Paula are out doing some extra running after the group got done. It was time for “girl talk” as well. Time to bounce things off each other, discuss what is happening in life, and help keep each other motivated to keep trying. We all face struggles in our lives, and the snow and cold just makes it even more challenging. Make it through February, and we will be on the downhill stretch. Keep telling yourself that! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4155
