I assume readers were supposed to marvel at the courage of a healthy couple who decided to continue their habit of a morning walk even though the temperatures were......wait for it......in the mid-20s. The photo in the newspaper showed the thirty something couple all wrapped up in layers. Parkas, gloves, face covering; the works. How very, very brave they were.
"How very, very brave they were!" I thought to myself as I wrapped up my hour long workout in the outdoor pool. A pool in which I amused myself by occasionally knocking the icicles off the starting blocks at one end. "How exhilarated they must have felt to be out in the elements..." I thought as I pulled myself out of the water and onto the freezing deck, all the while watching steam float off my body and wisp away into the 30 mile an hour wind gusts.
Since the wind chill index was about 11° I babied myself and tossed a towel around my shoulders to keep me warm as I walked through the breezes toward the locker room. "But, thoughts and prayers for those poor walkers...." Yes, it felt a bit chilly but by the time you hit 69 years of age you are hardly even sentient enough to notice mild changes in temperature. You are too busy imagining how your life might be different with more megapixels in your one and only camera. Every other thought, including survival, just takes a back seat...
When did our version of civilization turn so soft and discomfort averse? What would the Spartans say?
Sigh. Such is the life of a blogging gadfly.
In all seriousness 23° (F) with the add-on of a heavy wind chill is about my lower limit these days for swimming outdoors. The swim club agrees with that sentiment and decided to cancel today's early morning practices since the temps predicted around swim time started at 18° and also featured lively wind. Sometimes you just have to rough it and put on those shoes, a coat, a vest, a hat, another hat, gloves, mittens and long underwear and head out for a walk instead... Maybe you'll be featured in the local paper!!! Sure beats walking around in a wet swim suit...
Or you could stay home, drink hot tea and decide just exactly how many megapixels your camera needs to make you happy. Choices, choices, choices.
11 degrees here in Tennessee this morning. Snowing and a stiff wind off the lake. The dogs and I put in 90 minutes climbing through the mountains. Pretty much ever day, rain or shine, hot or cold, we walk or run. Morning, then again in the evening. Thankful at 70 that I still love being outside.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute BRAVO. Great Role Model
DeleteMy wife and I moved to Charleston SC from the Midwest a while back. We chuckle every time the temp gets in the 40’s and 50’s to see people walking around in their down coats and stocking caps. Our son and his family who live in northern Wisconsin come to visit and consider 40’s to be t-shirt weather.
ReplyDeleteIt was -38C here the other day. People still out and about. Me included.
ReplyDeleteDamn! That's cold. Does your Tesla Cybertruck do well in those temperatures?
ReplyDeleteHaha, actually it's fun seeing all the snooty Tesla people sitting in their vehicles waiting for tow trucks! The only ones that die quicker are the Ford F150 EV's.
ReplyDelete