Positive Results by Sabrina

I’ve traveled plenty and I always pay attention to those enjoying their vacations and those who aren’t. When I was in direct sales, we used to travel for training a few times a year. We would pack light and always be sure to stock up on supplies after we checked into the hotel. Usually, we would find someone with a car and run to the local grocery store for water and snacks. One time, I think we were in Nashville, we stopped by the local store while out on a walk and decided to buy a case of water. What we didn’t think about was how heavy it would be and how difficult it would be for the two of us to get it back to the hotel. While trying to decide if we wanted to taxi back to the hotel or struggle, 2 new friends offered to carry it back for us as part of their training. They took turns carrying it, while taking pictures to send back to their personal trainer. I knew then that I needed to make changes to my life. At the time, I could take long walks without a problem but I regularly had debilitating back pain, extreme leg swelling and did not pay much attention to the things I did to help my body. It would take years, lots of training, and a few rounds of acupuncture for me to get the back pain under control, but that’s a different story.

Fast forward a decade or so and when people ask, I often tell them that I’m training for life. I am always looking for ways to improve my everyday activities and those of the lives around me. When we travel, I enjoy walking around new towns, walking to restaurants for our meals and always being ready for the next hike. I am the type of person who enjoys working out on vacation and have been that way for a few years now. I remember the gym in Vegas and our friends teasing us for taking the stairs. My partner and I have purposely detoured to walk among the trees on a trip to Eureka and explore the beach views around us often. I’ve run random fire trails while camping and ran the streets of Riverside while my mom and kids played in the pool.

While on vacation in Waikiki recently, we were relaxing at the pool and I found myself listening to a couple, a few deck chairs away from me, discussing one of their travel companions. The group had opted against renting a car for the entire weeklong trip and were walking to explore the city. Unfortunately, one of their friends was struggling with the walking. They had rented a car for one day to venture to the other side of the island. She wanted to keep the car longer but it sounded like none of them could afford to extend it. I felt bad listening to them discuss her weighing her budget against her discomfort. They couldn’t afford to Uber constantly and weren’t sure how much more exploring and walking to restaurants she was going to be able to do. This is a pain we hear often. My own teenager began preparing for our trip in January because I also knew there would be a lot of walking and I wanted them to be able to enjoy as much as possible. 

This is also a conversation I have regularly with clients/athletes. Not everyone wants to train to run a race or achieve some grand goal, and that’s okay. I work with many people who purely want to change their everyday habits to improve their overall health and mobility, quality of life and ability to enjoy new adventures with their family. People may tease about staying fit enough to outrun the zombies when they take over but having a ‘moderately active’ level of fitness should not be a joke for most adults. Do you struggle to bring your groceries into the house? If your car broke down somewhere unsafe with no cell service, would you have the endurance to walk to safety? Can you play with your kids, nieces and nephews or grandchildren at the park? If you were invited on a vacation, would you be able to do the walking required to enjoy some of the views? Can you navigate the walking through the airport? What if the airport is packed and you now have to race to your gate to make it on time, while wearing your infant and dragging your 25 pound carry-on bag? (This happened to us on the way home and I was thankful for the work I have invested in myself!) The checked bag limit for most airlines is 50 lbs, can you lift your bag into and out of your vehicle?

As an Endurance Coach, it’s no secret that I love working with mother runners and curvy runners who want to achieve big goals for themselves and their families. I also equally love working with the parents and adults who want to enjoy walking the lake with their family, an amusement park, a random game of softball or a music festival. I want to see the pictures of camping trips and vacations that you never thought you’d take. We often see elderly people out walking, racing and climbing and we’re inspired. They are our reminder that “You don’t stop moving because you get old. You get old because you stop moving.” There is no rule saying that we have to slow down as we age. You choose your level of mobility. Equally, if you’re young and already slowing down, it’s up to you to make the changes today that will add more life to your years. I am one of many coaches available to help you start making positive changes. All you have to do is reach out and make the commitment to yourself.