The entire country (except LA) is baking under the glare of the sun, some more than others (sorry NY), and Seattle is no exception. Summer has finally arrived. And while it may have been late, it’s here with a vengeance.
Perfect timing for picking up the workout intensity, right?
Well, regardless of the soaring temps, as a Seattliete, I refuse to complain about the warm weather. Even when I’m dripping in sweat and running loads of workout clothes in the laundry every other night. Even when hills on the bike will feel like trudging through marmalade. Even when running feels like trying to keep pace in a sauna. Even then.
For some reason I see lots of swimming in the days to come. In fact, it’s the perfect weather for my first attempt at an open water swim, right?
I’ve often said to visitors, naysayers and those fighting the affects of S.A.D. that one sunny, clear blue sky day in Seattle makes up for 30 rainy, cloud-covered days — and I stand by that. It’s weeks like this where you look around a realize what a beautiful place we live in.
Suddenly, being an active cycling- running -swimming-type of person makes the gorgeous-ness of this area even more apparent. A sunny day doesn’t always call for a beer on a local patio (although of course it sometimes does), it’s now a great day to be on the bike, or even (gasp!) a day that makes running bearable.
Maybe I’ve always felt a little out of place as a Seattliete. I’ve never been a camping enthusiast, kayak fiend or driven a Subaru. I don’t dress like I’m always prepared for a hiking emergency and I would much rather toast a cocktail al fresco on a sunny day than get out and enjoy nature.
But maybe, just maybe, all this exercise and training has brought out the true Seattliete in me. It’s no secret that I love gear and now I’m officially a member of REI. I’ve started to enjoy buying workout clothes as much as dresses and cardigans and believe it or not, I’ve even given up stilettos since the shin splint diagnosis.
Let’s hope I’m not moments away from pairing wool socks with Tevas and putting a bike rack on my sporty car. At least not until next season.
Days to go: 65
I like the Hiking Emergency 🙂 wonder where ya heard that?? GO JACI GO!!!!!!!! I wanna go for a swim with you soon!
Love this post, love you and love Seattle…..you are so right, it is days like this in our beautiful city that we realize why we won’t live anywhere else! Open water swim sounds amazing, and I’m not a swimmer!