New route gets off to a wobbly start

THERE was the sparkle of frost when I set out this morning. Car roofs had those beautiful leafy swirls in icy white, and the windows looked sugar-coated. There was a refreshing nip in the air. All very nice and sort of crisply romantic, until you realise your mind’s wandering (as it does!) and step on to a slippy bit! Fortunately, I didn’t quite take a tumble – but the weird dance with waving arms and wobbly legs as I tried to hold my balance was not exactly the way to enhance any street cred.

It’s been pouring with rain ever since, so in some places the frost has morphed to almost lake-sized puddles. It's still battering the window now, at nearly 11pm.

I’ve been trying out some shorter routes lately. It’s useful to have a range of different walks, so that you can pick and choose to suit your situation. Sometimes you might just not be in the mood; on other occasions, you might be pressed for time. But if you have something that’s manageable, so you can at least get out and get moving, then that helps motivation as well as gives you exercise.

This morning’s route around residential streets turned out to be about 15 minutes – a little over a mile. Just what’s needed!  I have some longer routes of five miles or so, but obviously they take longer (especially if you build in warm-up and cool-down exercises – which are important).

If you have a lot on,  10 or 15 minutes isn’t too much to set aside, but is enough for you to clear the cobwebs and enjoy the benefits of a bit of fresh air and exercise – providing you don’t attempt a strange and frantic dance in the sugary frost before you even start!