Face the Wind (Just Don't Spit into It)

by Leslie Aronson — April 28, 2008

You can tell that spring is in the air by the increasing number of people out and about on a daily basis. The sidewalks are more crowded, trails quickly become packed, and the expanse of pasty winter flesh is almost blinding. And there's that other pesky indicator of the changing seasons - the wind. Despite my desire to get outside and enjoy the warmth while I exercise, the intense wind is sometimes enough to drive me back to the gym and the relative safety of the treadmill. But this should not be the case. Wind can be a great training tool (though inherently unpredictable and thus unreliable) because it adds an element of resistance. Whether you're running, biking, walking, or trying to throw a Frisbee, wind poses challenges to your adaptability. Running into the wind is often like running uphill - your stride changes, your breathing changes, and the intensity with which your muscles are working changes. Frustrating as it may be, it's a good thing for your body to encounter these often-unexpected challenges. So get outside and face the wind - you might be surprised at how much stronger it makes you.