You Know You Are A Hardcore Pedestrian When You Enjoy The Summer Heat

You know you are a hardcore pedestrian when you can walk over three miles in the summer heat and it does not faze you a bit. However, I have been walking, running, and biking in the heat of Southern California my entire life, and my penchant for warmer weather makes this appealing to me. As long as I take my water bottle and wear a hat I am good to go! I remember about ten years ago when I was still living up in the mountains a repairman gasped when he spotted me emerging from the woods, and commented on how it was a hundred degree outside. "I love the heat I told him," and I watched his jaw drop.

The reality for me is walking in the summer heat in the city is really no big deal for me because I used to bike, run, and hike up in the San Bernardino Mountains, and during the summer months the barometer can rise on the backside of the mountain. The summer months were always my favorite because I did not have to dress in layers, which I have never enjoyed to be honest. Now that I am older I make sure to wear sunblock more often, shirts that cover my shoulders, a proper hat, and I am ready to go. When I see bikers training throughout the city I know I am fine walking in 90+ degrees, but I do not recommend this for most people. I just wish others would realize some people like to walk and train in the warmer months, and we do not let the high temperature outside keep us from enjoying nature. I live in a city with many palm trees and other trees, and it is almost like being in the woods when I walk along certain arbor laden parts of town. Of course I need to visit the mountains again soon, but living in a city with trees is definitely my cup of tea.

Abandoned portion of the Santa Fe Railroad with many trees growing nearby.

I still think about getting a bike because I spotted a cute one the other day, but I am quite afraid of driving conditions in SoCal. Until there are more bike routes in our cities, and drivers are a bit more cautious of pedestrians, I am going to keep walking. So if you enjoy walking, running, or biking in the summer heat, know you are not alone. Just remember to hydrate!