Despite the rainy winter weather we’ve had this year, there are still plenty of beautiful days that are good to be out and about. Covington offers several resources available that are conducive to active lifestyles, from bike and running paths to natural areas and trails.
The St. Tammany Trace runs through the center of Covington along the old train track, connecting Abita Springs and Mandeville. The Trace is used as both a bike path and a running path, and it is Louisiana’s first and only rails-to-trails conversion. According to the Tammany Trace website, www.tammanytrace.org, ‘the White House Millennium Council chose the Tammany Trace as one of 50 Millennium Legacy Trails’.
There are a few simple tips to follow when beginning any exercise routine, and a little preparation will go a long way. First, it is always a good idea to stretch before any intense or repetitive body movement. This will get the blood circulating and loosen up the muscles. 15 to 20 minutes is a good stretch time. Remember, it takes 15 minutes to get the heart rate up to maximum level for most moderate exercise.
While stretching, concentrate on controlled breathing. During the exercise motions (whatever you choose to do), maintain your breathing, exhaling on the action and inhaling on the return. For example, in weight lifting, the exhale is on the push.
Finally, drink plenty of water. The majority of your body is water, and it is important to maintain a proper balance. Any amount of exercise will use your body’s water resources, and dehydration can lead to injury.
Brooks’ Bike Shop is located on the Tammany Trace off of Gibson St., a full service bike repair and rental shop. Covington offers many cafes and restaurants, and two of our favorites in the arts district are St. John’s Coffeehouse and Columbia St. Natural Foods, both offering health-conscious menus and friendly faces.
