The same goes for hiking.
You don't have to plan to hike a 14er to hike.
You can run and hike for health.
You can run and hike for enjoyment.
You can run and hike for snacks with views (my personal favorite).
I wish this was talked about more.
Often I hear how people feel like they have to sign up for a race (5K, 10K, Half, etc.) in order to run, or they have to have some big hike planned in order to hike.
A few things here.
1. If you feel like you have to sign up for a race, do you actually enjoy running or do you feel like that's the only way you'll have motivation to do cardio?
2. If you feel like you have to run or hike for general health, are you doing it because you feel like that's the only way to do cardio? There are multiple ways to receive cardiovascular health benefits without forcing yourself into something you don't enjoy. You can bike, use an elliptical, row, swim, dance, walk, stair climb, play tennis, play pick-up basketball, jump rope, paddle board, kayak, ski, snowboard... need I go on? The options are endless to get a little heart rate zone-age goin' on!
3. If you do enjoy running or hiking, what makes you feel like you have to have a big goal with it?
I'm here to tell you that you don't have to if you don't want to.
Races are fun.
Big hikes are fun.
But you can also stick with your low-key hikes and runs if that's what you enjoy, if that's what gets you outside in fresh air, and if that's a way for you to maintain or improve your health.
In the meantime, you'll find me outside, probably eating snacks with views 🤪.
