Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Better to be in an active community or not?

As I was running today, I realized that I very rarely see anyone else running, biking or walking. Sure, on a really nice day I'll see a few people. Generally, though, it's either a non-active or gym community.

Now I understand why you'd work out indoors during the terrible winter we had. I didn't, but then again, I'm quite crazy. I was training for a marathon and couldn't bare to go back to a treadmill after I stopped a couple years ago.

When I make the hour or so trip to Boston, I always see runners, bikers and walkers. Boston is an active city and I think the city life tends to push that. Concord, New Hampshire, um, not so much.

So that brings me to my question. Do you think it's better to be in a physically active community or one considerably less so? I know the benefit of being in an active community--there's always someone running so you always have motivation to lace up your shoes and get out.

But, I do like the idea of being the lone crazy person that's always out running when no one else is. It gives me a certain badge of valor much like running in sub zero temperatures gave me during the winter. What do you think?

Oh, and a special programming note. I'm heading to Europe for the month of July for classes (yeah, that's what I'm sticking to). I'll be in Ireland, Prague and Amsterdam to name a few. I'm bringing my camera and absolutely can't wait to run and explore those cities. Europe, here I come!

9 comments:

Andrew is getting fit said...

I live in an active city and I really like the camraderie aspect of it.

Alysha said...

Enjoy your trip! I'll be touring eastern Europe from the middle of July to the middle of August. One of the cities I'll be stopping in is Prague. Maybe we'll pass each other on a run.

ShirleyPerly said...

From simply from a safety perspective, I would much rather be in an active community. A lone female runner is, unfortunately, asking for trouble around where I live in Orlando. One was killed a along my favorite bike path couple weeks ago and there've been multiple rapes of joggers/walkers who were out on their own early mornings. I think it would be much less likely to happen if there were more people out and about regularly too.

On a much happier note, hope you have a wonderful trip to Europe!!

Petraruns said...

Well you know what to do if you're anywhere near the UK in the summer - e-mail me! And if you're in Italy at the end of August - e-mail me!

CewTwo said...

I have to admit that I count runners as I run outside. I also have to admit that I haven't run on my treadmill in over a month. Even my log is going with the miles enterred but not much else. The run, or the cross training, is what I need right now.

I Denver an active city? I'd have to say yes! But it doesn't affect my runs. I run for me...

Enjoy Europe, Greg. It can be an interesting experience.

Oh yeah... Umm... Err... Study hard!

Susan said...

How lucky you are!!!

Like you, I like being the lone crazy out there!

Laura said...

I'm really jealous of your trip - that sounds fabulous!

As for the community question, I love living in an active community, especially because then I see other people out and it inspires me! However, on days when it's raining or early or hot or there is some reason that not a lot of people are out, I love to feel proud for getting myself out there :)

mrjwhit~ said...

I would much rather live in an active community. Where I live is so/so as men's health reported a couple of months ago. We have some great running areas, but as an overall city we're lacking

J said...

Living in the Boston and Brookline (since we moved about a year and as half ago), I think an active city is better. With traffic the way it is, drivers almost expect all the runners, walkers and bikers. Not sure if it's any safer, though.