As anyone reading this has certainly noticed by now, the weather isn’t getting any warmer. It’s been particularly slow this year (that’s Ohio for you), but, inevitably, we’ve continued edging slowly toward winter. Hopefully you, like me, are doing everything you can to enjoy the last warm breaths of summer and autumn before we plunge into the depths of winter.

Winter, of course, is a much different time here in Ohio. There’s snow, ice, rocksalt, frigid wind, and the ever-present risk of subzero temperatures. Mother nature, to say the least, is rather inhospitable during this time of year.

This, combined with the rapid encroachment of darkness and quick end that are put to many of our afternoons, can make it very, very difficult just to go outside-let alone to go outside and hit the trails for some exercise. Who wants to go for a walk when it’s ten degrees outside?

​As a collegiate cross-country runner, I’m in the throes of training all-year round, and cold weather has never been a qualifying excuse for not running outside in the eyes of my head coach. So, when winter comes along, me and my team have no choice but to bundle up and try to out-tough the cold. I am personally of the belief that if a group of college kids can handle the cold, anyone else can too.

​Even if you’re not tougher than Mother Nature, there are a few things anyone can do to mitigate the cold and get those steps in this winter:

It may seem simple, but sometimes bringing gloves along for your walk, run, bike ride, etc, can make a big difference. Your hands and feet, as the furthest parts of your body from your heart, are subject to getting cold faster than anywhere else.

If your hands are freezing, you aren’t going to be having a lot of fun outside-additionally, if it’s cold enough, you’re risking frostbite and possible major damage to your hands.

Be sure to have a pair of gloves on the ready at all times-whether you keep them in your car, your jacket, or anywhere else. You never know what can happen when you’re at the mercy of the cold. And hey, the more the merrier-if one pair of gloves doesn’t get the job done, strap on another pair!

​As mentioned above, the first parts of the body to get cold are those furthest from the heart. That includes not only the fingers and toes, but also the ears, which quickly get cold when you’re exposed to the elements. While having a hood up is better than nothing, it’s no substitute for a proper winter hat, which settles over the ears and keeps them warm when you’re out in the cold.

Not only that, but a hat protects your hair from getting snow or ice in it-because, if you’re not Jack Frost, the icy hairstyle is hard to pull off. Just like with a pair of gloves, you should always make sure to have a winter hat nearby, just in case.

​If you’re freezing your ears off, you’re much less likely to want to keep yourself out on the trails, so be sure you have your hat on standby!

​For those of you who are willing to endure the cold for the sake of getting some exercise, be sure you’re being smart about how long you’re out in the weather. It’s great to be tough, but it’s better to be smart-staying out in the cold for too long can cause serious risks to health, including frostbite and hypothermia.

​If it’s seriously cold, be sure you’re not staying outside for too long at once, and make sure to keep moving to be sure you don’t lose any warmth. If you get to the point of being too cold to continue, shut it down and try again another day. There’s always tomorrow, so don’t be tougher than you are smart.

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If you’re a nature lover, you might be envisioning taking a few walks in the woods, surveying the brilliant fall colors and excellent fall sunsets we are blessed with here in Clinton County and throughout Ohio. Others can say what they want, but this writer is convinced that there is no more beautiful state in the U.S. than the Buckeye state we call home.

I can also safely assert that there is no better way to view Clinton County at its best than to stroll along the strong and ever-lengthening system of trails we have here. 

You will probably be inclined to think that I am merely a hometown hero, who believes Clinton County is the greatest place on Earth and that our resources are the best that have been allocated to anyone anywhere. But I’m not simply an overzealous trail ambassador. You see, I am a Wilmington College Cross Country Runner, so fall for me means cross country season. And cross country season means miles upon miles of running every single day. Obviously, it’s much easier to run when you have someplace to run to, or something to run towards.

For me, and most of my cross-country team, that means frequent visits to the trail system. We see through our own eyes the colors of fall, sprawled all across the trails. Nature becomes more and more encapsulating as one moves further and further away from the city. The yellows, the oranges, the browns, the slowly fading greens, the long rays of sunlight, the leaves falling over the trail on a cool, fall evening…all of it’s more beautiful than words could adequately convey. It helps to remind us that, even in the sea of chaos and calamity we live in, islands of calm and serenity can be found. In today’s world, with the foot constantly on the gas and the cycle constantly turning over and over, we need it more than ever. It’s also a reminder to count our blessings, to not sweat the small things, to appreciate the great things right in front of us.

It’s difficult to do. In a world where literally everything in our lives is designed to try and garner one hundred percent of our attention, it’s hard to force ourselves to keep it on one thing for a while.

You don’t have to take my word for it. The American Heart Association reinforces the idea that walking or exercising can help alleviate depression and anxiety, reduce your risk for diabetes and other diseases, and improve overall physical health. That’s of course, combined with the benefit of some truly special natural scenery and some much needed R and R-all of which are readily available on the Clinton County Trails. And, since we have it readily available, why not take advantage of it?

So, the next time your family is arguing about turkey versus ham or the Bengals are getting decimated by whoever they’re playing or the six-year olds dressed as Disney characters are threatening to riot because you didn’t buy enough candy, feel free to lock the door, head outside, and take a nice, peaceful walk on the Trails, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of a Clinton County Autumn.
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You may just surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it. 

And hey-it can’t be worse than watching the Browns, right?