In my town the opening of the local outdoor swimming pool was delayed by two weeks due to COVID-19. You might already know I’m a keen swimmer. You might also already know that I’m no stranger to overdoing it. Living in a land with a swimming pool that’s only open for 3.5 months per year just exacerbates my desire to make the most of the season and swim as much as possible. So what happens when Coronavirus wipes two weeks off that measly 3.5 months… what do I do, you ask?
I flat out panic.
I am no stranger to exercise and work out classes. I have attended many – I know what to expect, I know what to wear and for the most part I know I can handle it. The first time at a new class is usually a bit daunting but never really caused me any major stress.
Late last year, I received a flyer in the mail advertising a Pilates class in my local area. And I thought – well that’s a good idea! I’d done some Pilates before and knew it was great for your back. And my back desperately needed some low impact strengthening as it continued onto its journey back to 100%.
So off I went.
Ok, it wasn’t as simple as that.
Winter in Austria is cold. I think I’ve reiterated that time after time, and will probably continue to do so… because… well… it just is! I hate the cold – my body’s not made for it. But I do like exercise, I do like sun and I do like fresh air. And just because it’s snowy outside, doesn’t mean that physical activity has to stop.
Since hubby and I are not exactly dedicated to all that’s required to go skiing on a regular basis, we found a great alternative – Snow Shoe Walking.
I went for a run recently… sans-technology… and it was magnificent.
I love wandering around in the mountains. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to do it when the weather is suboptimal – if it’s excessively freezing, windy or raining – but otherwise, it really is the ultimate way to get some fresh air, exercise, and of course some traditional Austrian food!
You’ve probably seen people doing it, you’ve probably scoffed at them. It’s called Nordic Walking but I prefer the more literal translation of Stick Walking. That is, walking with sticks.
I myself have scoffed at people doing it. Now, why on earth would you go walking with sticks when you can just walk, or run? Surely it’s just an old person’s sport for people that need help walking?
That was until I tried it.
Coming into winter upon my arrival in Austria I was a bit worried about becoming a hermit who wouldn’t leave the house! And so knowing how much I loved dogs, and missed my own in Australia, my lovely boyfriend organised for me to walk dogs at the local shelter. This not only made me (and the dogs) happy, but also motivated me to get out of the house for some fresh air on those really cold, winter days. So here’s my current top three dogs!
Swimming is not big in Austria. Sure, there are people that do it, but not that many. Well, what did I expect from a land-locked country anyway? In Australia it seems like there is a pool every 5km – that is definitely not the case in Austria.
My first swim alone was a bit of an adventure.
I like running. It’s easy, it’s quick and it doesn’t cost anything. And it’s something you can always do – you just have to rug up, right? Wrong.
Turns out we didn’t have a particularly cold winter this year in Austria (that’s what they tell me), but it was plenty cold enough for me! Though I managed to keep a pretty consistent outdoor running schedule I did spend quite a few days inside on the X-trainer!
Living in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains is very scenic, but it does have its downfalls. In winter we don’t get much wind (bonus), but that also means that we’re often shrouded in clouds, with no wind to blow them away (anti-bonus). But if you know that somewhere up there the sun is shining, all you have to do is jump in the car and drive up a small mountain until you pop out!
an aussie in austria 