I’ve Got the Skates

There is so much snow. Too much snow. And it keeps coming! You think that Mother Nature would get tired of crying these big chunky tears but NO. Have you ever tried to run while snow is blowing sideways straight into your eyeballs? I have. Chef does not recommend! Seeing as the conditions for running are pretty miserable and dangerous, I’ve barely been doing it this month. It’s not only the weather. I finally saw a physiotherapist about my plantar fasciitis and am trying to get that sorted out. As luck would have it some of the exercises she gave me have caused a pain in my OTHER foot. I can’t win. Needless to say, I don’t have the runs this month.

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Instead of trying to force the runs I decided to embrace other winter activities. I mean, one of longest skating rinks in the world is a five minute walk from my parents place. Why not replace running with skating!? It’s easy on the joints, it’s fun, it’s free and it’s a great workout. Obviously the first think I did was google “how many calories do you burn while skating” and it’s anywhere from 400-850 depending on speed. I’m certainly no speed skater but I was definitely passing a lot of old people.

Skating works with my foot ailments because the boot keeps my feet in a fixed position. All I have to worry about is not hitting a rut in the ice and falling flat on my face. I love that it activates different muscles that I normally don’t feel when I run. You reaaaally feel it in your hips and butt. A few days ago the husband and I skated the length of the Rideau Canal and when we got home we were both drenched in sweat. It honestly looked like my husband took a swim with his clothing on.

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I know that not everyone has access to a canal, but there are so many other outdoor skating options. Do a quick google search of your area and I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Like any sport, make you you stretch before and after! Especially your hips! On my first skate of the season I stupidly didn’t stretch (I remember skating being more of a “leisure activity” than a sport!) and my hips were angry with me. Skating for fitness is also easier this year on the Canal because all the food huts are closed. I used to skate for 10 minutes and reward myself with a Beaver Tail and hot chocolate. A Beaver Tail is a piece of deep fried dough dipped in cinnamon and sugar (or other decadent toppings) and it’s amazing, in case that wasn’t obvious.

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Take the sugary treats away from skating and you’ve got yourself an amazing running substitute. If the weather in your area is shit or if you want to switch it up, give skating a go! A week from today I’ll be back in California so I need to soak up as much winter as I can. Skating, paired with yoga, has been keeping me sane and fit during this long, cold February. I highly recommend Yoga with Adriene. It’s on youtube and it’s free and fun! I even made my own Yoga with Adriene parody…

I’ve got the skates! and I’ve got the building-a-fort-and-drinking-in-it! Won’t you join me?

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PS: This blog is now coming out bi-weekly! I also have a food blog called Eat This and Shut Up that I’ll be releasing in tandem. One week food blog, one week running blog. What more could ya want?! 🙂