TUCSON I


Get Outside, by Jennifer Rischard


t’s a new year, but for many of us that means recycling unfulfilled resolutions from last year, and the


year before, and the year before that. “Get in shape.” “De-stress.” “Find balance.” We join a gym, pump some iron, take a yoga class. By February 1st, our gym shoes still look brand new, we’ve gained 3 pounds, and our stress-o-meter is through the roof. How do we break this cycle? Get outside! We’ve created a so- ciety and lifestyle where being outside is optional – and that option is pretty low on our list. The average North American now spends approximately 90% of his time indoors, 5% in his car and only 5% outdoors. Research has shown that as little as 5 minutes spent outside can increase self-esteem and mood; if the time outside is also spent around water, the benefits are even greater.


Exercising outdoors is a much more sensory experience than exercis- ing indoors. Being aware of the sights, sounds, and smells of your outdoor environment, not to mention the ad- ditional focus required to move about on uneven and ever-changing terrain,


22 Tucson


connects your mind and body to the world around you in a deeper way than you’ll experience in the cardio room of your local gym. In addition to saving on health club fees (Mother Nature provides the facility and equipment), and getting your daily dose of Vitamin D, outdoor exercise also tends to involve more complex, functional movements which results in greater coordination, improved bal- ance, increased muscular strength and stability. Combine the healing powers of the great outdoors with the general benefits of physical activity (reduced stress, depression, and anxiety, plus all the physical health benefits), and your chances of breaking the cycle increase exponentially. We Tucsonans are lucky to have


January temperatures that average 64 degrees. In addition to endless brag- ging rights over friends and families buried in ice and snow elsewhere, we are gifted with convenient access to five different mountain ranges: Tortolitas to the northwest, Santa Catalinas to the northeast, Rincons to the east, Santa Ritas to the south, and Tucson Mountains to the west. Tucson


also has over 700 miles of bike lanes, bike routes and multi-use pathways. If you’re feeling like a hamster on a wheel on the health club’s treadmill, explore some of the ways we can get in shape, de-stress, and find balance in nature’s gym.


Running/Walking: Adopting a running or walking routine is prob- ably one of the easiest and most cost efficient ways to add a dose of Mother Nature and


“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair.” ~ Khalil Gibran


movement into your day. It requires no special equipment or even transporta- tion costs; simply step outside your front door. If you’re looking for a safe, natural setting, or simply like-minded enthusiasts, Tucson has no shortage of walking/running routes and multi-use paths. Among the most popular local pathways:


Rillito River Bike Path: this paved multi-use path is approximately 10 miles long and runs along the usually- dry Rillito River from I-10-Craycroft Rd.


David Bell Bike/Walking Path: this 3 mile paved path is located centrally in Reid Park at 900 S. Randolph Way.


Sabino Canyon: this 3.8 mile (one-way) paved road runs through the beautiful foothills of the Santa Catalina Moun- tains and is closed to public traffic.


Road and Mountain Biking: Bicycling Magazine recently ranked Tucson as the 9th most bicycling-


friendly city in America. Our 700+ miles of bikeways (including the multi-use paths mentioned above), and laws mandating that all new street construction and reconstruction must include bike lanes, provide ample lure to get us outside on our bikes. If you are looking to get off the beaten path, our five mountain ranges offer many opportunities for off-road adventure. Starr Pass/Tucson Mountain Park on the west side offers over 20 mountain biking trails that range from easy to


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