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Off-Road-Speed-Play may sound like a toy a 5-year-old child would like to play with. It isn’t. Read it again. Off-Road-Speed-Play. It’s exactly what it sounds like. You’re playing, as in moving your body, at different speeds that are off the road.
It’s definitely a different and wonderful way to get your body moving. An experience that I didn’t expect when I first tried it. It’s also completely out of my comfort zone. It challenges me in so many different ways, it’s almost hard to describe it.
Oh, but don’t you worry – I will describe Off-Road-Speed-Play. After all, you know that I love me a challenging exercise and the chance to write about it, too.
I bet you’re thinking but what is it really? Why should I do it?
A big shout out to @lisaborden and @davidnewtonwellness and @theakiraconcept. They introduced me to a whole new world and it began like this:
“Sharon, what are you doing on Sunday morning?”
“I dunno. I may go for a run. Hop on my Peloton, I guess.”
“Come for an Off-Road-Speed-Play with David and I.”
“_______.”
I had no words, but I also had no excuse. I knew this experience would be different, but I didn’t know what to expect and we all know what that feels like. The unknown. Scary. Intimidating.
But I was doing this activity with friends that I feel comfortable with. I knew that if I would fall, they would be the kind of people who would catch me. A key factor when trying something new in my world.
Running on the street or track is a great way to exercise. However, it’s also one-dimensional. Convenient. Predictable. And well, can get a little boring.
Once you take your terrain to places where there are hills, some rocks, uneven grounds, and obstacles to hop over, your legs and heart aren’t the only ones “invited to the party”, like they are on the pavement.
During Off-Road-Speed-Play, each and every body part of your body is actively being stimulated.
Ever here of Braintelligence? Yeah, neither have I. Until just recently when I read about it in The Akira State Workbook. It’s a way to stimulate your brain. It’s as if you are exercising it. Constantly keeping it guessing, thinking, and reacting. It’s as if you are tackling a crossword puzzle but instead of sitting on a couch, you’re moving your body over that rock, hill, and tree stump. Forcing your brain to make quick decisions on how to make the right move. Talk about productivity! Exercising your brain and your body at the same time? Improving your Cognitive health! Yes, please!
You never know where you are going when you Off-Road-Speed-Play. You could be on a flat surface, where you could jog. Yes, I liked that part very much. You could also be balancing over rocks, ducking under fallen trees, or hopping over them. So when this happens, every part of your body is invited to “play”. Of course, you need your legs to move, but you also need your core to balance yourself along those rocks in the stream and to hoist your legs over a tree stump. FYI, my foot ended up in the water. Yup, like in life, S&%T happens. I got up and moved on!
Off-Road-Speed-Play does wonder for your soul. After an hour of spending time in the woods, finagling myself over pieces of nature, I realized that all of this beauty is nowhere to be found on my usual street run. I found an incredible sense of calm. The air that I was deeply inhaling was cleaner. I didn’t have to focus on traffic lights or cars. I felt invigorated and grateful. A completely different batch of emotions than I have ever experienced before.
We ended our Off-Road-Speed-Play adventure with a stretch in a secluded spot in the woods where it was super quiet and I could hear my heartbeat. I was surrounded by the fall trees which felt like a warm hug. I was definitely sweaty, craving a hot shower and a warm beverage, and most importantly a craving to do this all over again.
After practicing Off-Road-Speed-Play for over a year, yes – in the snow, too! I couldn’t help but bring this exercise into my second book Get Up. Ok – I cant’ take the credit! When it came to choosing exercises to pair with my stories, David was in charge. He was the one to place Off-Road-Speed-Play into Get Up in just the right spot.
How could we not include this vigorous, mind-challenging exercise that is the perfect activity to do after reading a story about letting go of old routines. Chapter 18, to be exact. But don’t take my word for it. Read the chapter yourself. 😉
I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write about you and your passions or for your own company, please be in touch.