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Let's talk about exercise. Has the pandemic affected whether or how you exercise? If so, how?

Yes and no - in some ways I've had to change my exercise routine, but in other ways it hasn't changed at all. I've always exercised outside, with some exercise indoors too. We have a bike set-up on a trainer at home that I use inside and then I like to run and hike outdoors. When I spin on the bike indoors hasn't really been impacted by the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, I wouldn't give a second thought to when I would go for a run, and for hiking I would often go with friends or other hiking groups for day hikes close by. For my runs, I would usually go early in the morning before getting ready for work, etc. and it wouldn't matter where I ran. Once the pandemic started, my husband was worried about me running in the dark so early in the morning, so I frequently wait until sunrise to go for a run, or try to squeeze it in during my lunch break (especially, if I don't have meetings in the afternoon where I need to shower and stuff right away). But, I also have to think about the routes I take or when I go for my runs or any hikes now. For popular trails, my general rule of thumb is that it's still not too many people on the trails before 10a.m. if I want to get in my run or hike by then. Or, for popular trails I can go pretty much any time if the weather is crappy (really cold, rainy, etc.). For my hikes I've been doing a lot of solo hiking, with some distanced hiking with a couple friends, but trying to keep distance while hiking with friends can be difficult sometimes. Just writing all of this out makes me tired thinking about all of the logistics and things I think about before I step out the door to exercise. One thing I will say about the pandemic, it has truly unveiled to me the importance of exercise during this prolonged stressful period. I really don't think I would be able to keep my sanity if I didn't have my time out of the house to burn off some energy, frustration, or just plain zone out. While I don't always look forward to going out for a run or hopping on the bike. I'm always glad I did it afterwards (that hasn't changed with the pandemic).

January 6, 2021

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