Motivation Station

My San Diegan exercise routine consists mainly of going for a run or riding my orange bike around the bay and back along the beach. There is a really good trail and it's a good 8-10 mile round trip depending on which route you take. I absolutely love it, especially on days when you catch a dazzling sunset, you find your self following the rowers around the bay or you see a beautiful wedding on one of the old-fashioned paddlewheelers twinkling with lights. The thing you notice the most though is how ridiculous motivated San Diegans are to do exercise. There are so many people around the trail doing a vast amount of different activities: Boxing, yoga and volleyball on the beach; rowers, wakeboarders and sail boats out on the bay; surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers in the ocean; and runners, cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers on the trail. It is so motivating being surrounded by such a bustling and active community and I definitely think the weather is to be held responsible for this dynamic lifestyle. The weather back home holds people back so much because it just hinders outdoor activities and if you have ever relied solely on a gym for your fitness you will know how mundane the same routine can become. Even though I have been doing the same bike ride for well over a week, I am far from bored. I would say I am more motivated and excited to get on my bike than I ever have been before. I love my time around the bay and so does everyone else. I know this because everyone smiles at you as you pass and that simple smile culture encourages you to keep going. The first few times people smiled at me my British awkwardness came into play and I just looked down yet now I can maintain eye-contact for at least a few seconds before looking away. Despite my slight personal disability here, I have definitely learnt to believe in the theory ‘Smile and the world smiles with you’. It’s so true and you can’t help but feel happy. Let me tell you, anything that can make me feel happy somewhere in the midst of a four mile run has to be a miracle. Smile on San Diego, I love it.