Wednesday, March 24, 2010

On The Run

When spring comes around, it always feels like I have more to do and less time to do it. And with bikini season right around the corner i also feel the need to get in a workout daily (okay, a couple times a week). Plus, I feel an overwhelming desire to get outside in the fresh air, now that I can do that without risking frostbite. How do I balance these competing impulses? By running my errands. Literally.

Instead of taking cabs or the subway to run errands, I strap on my running shoes, grab my iPod, and run out the door. I map out a route that takes me to my furthest stop first, and I run there. I also put the errands that don't require me to carry anything (the bank, the post office) on the front end, and the ones that require me to lug (the drugstore, grocery) at the end. I bring some compact shopping bags with me in my pockets, so when I do end up laden with stuff, I can put it over my shoulder and speed walk home.

While I know it's not exactly the same thing as a spinning class at the gym, it's enough to get my heart pounding (plus an arm workout if I have to carry things).  I get everything done faster, and kill two birds with one stone. It's an excellent way to get everything done in one fell swoop- you might say I run a tight ship.

Note: While it may seem that this would only work for people who live in urban centers, my dad does this in my hometown in California. He drives his car to one end of the beach and parks, then walks about a mile to the produce store on the other end of the beach, and carries his groceries back. I guess genius ideas run in the family. 

2 comments:

Molly said...

I do the exact same thing! and I feel so great afterwards - like I accomplished so much!

Lily said...

Amen, sister! And having a little Justin Timberlake on your iPod makes waiting in line at the post office or picking out produce all that much better, too.