Need An Escape? Run Away

I was so excited when my husband and I made (and kept) our reservations for Charlie Gitto’s.

I wanted so badly to say it was romantic and intimate and how it was just what we needed to reconnect with one another. Thank goodness for , because it just didn’t happen at Charlie Gitto’s.

Seated behind the hostess stand and beside a high-top table in the bar area full of already drunk patrons at 6 p.m., our conversation was constantly interrupted by a blast of cold air from the front door and the loud guffawing of our intoxicated neighbors.

I was thinking about all of this while I was out on my run on Sunday afternoon.

I’m currently training for the St. Louis half-marathon, and that requires plenty of hour-plus runs. I can get lost when I’m running-figuratively, that is. I pop in my ear buds, crank up my iPod, and let my mind wander. I frequently write articles in my head—running straight from the street to the computer.

Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and you don’t have to put in a ton of time to reap the benefits of working up a sweat. It’s a great way to get your “me” time and also do something that benefits you physically and emotionally.

 Whether you run or walk, it doesn’t require expensive equipment or a gym membership. All you really need is comfortable clothes and a good pair of tennis shoes. Even if you only have 10 minutes to take a walk around your neighborhood, the dose of fresh air is like hitting the reset button. Invite a neighbor to go with you. If you’re new to the area, or want to find others to walk or run with, there are websites such as meetup.com, stlouistrackclub.com, or fleetfeetstl.com where you can find people who live in your area to workout with.

Once you get started, a fun tool to use is dailymile.com. You can keep track of your workouts, compare your workouts to others, get tips on exercise, or give and receive encouragement from others. It’s like Facebook for exercise.

 A walk or run can provide the opportunity to think about solutions to problems you may be facing, or just give you time to not think of anything at all. It’s invigorating and it’s okay to literally run away for a little while. You’ll be better equipped to handle what life throws at you when you get back.