Day 21 Warm weather walking and safety

            A yummy cafe latte from Seven Shores Cafe

Day 21  Warm Weather Walking and Safety  

(Weekly Walk On Strong Walking News is at the end of this BLOG )

Just a few things to keep in mind as you head out in the warmer weather  

1. Water! In hot weather you need to be even more aware of staying hydrated.  Get a belt that holds a water bottle or carry it in your hand ... just be sure that you have water and sip it regularly during your walk.

2. Wear light colored clothing and a hat  Wear synthetic materials that wick away sweat to stay cool.  Cotton tends to trap moisture and keep you damp. A hat will keep your nose protected and shade your eyes. In the summer a light colored hat and clothing will be more reflective and keep you cooler.
3. Protect your eyes and skin.  In the summer sun's intensity can damage your skin and eyes. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses that screen out the UV rays.
Try to get out to walk in the early morning or the evening rather that midday if at all possible.

Ways to keep yourself safe:
When walking at dusk, at night or even early in the morning you may not be as visible to drivers.  We need to walk defensively and take pains to be visible. As often as possible cross at the lights or at the corner where traffic is expecting you to cross!  Make eye contact with drivers at the intersections before walking in front of a car.  Walk facing the traffic if you are on the road.
Reflective Clothing  Wearing reflective clothing is a good defence against invisibility, but you need to be sure that the reflective areas are large enough and are exposed from every angle.  Your best bet for finding reflective clothing is in a running store or a bicycling shop, or the running and bicycling sections of large sporting goods stores.
Reflective Shoes  Most running shoes now have reflective stripes. Some shoes even appear to have reflective soles!  If your walking shoes don't have such features, consider a pair of reflective shoelaces or put some reflective tape on your shoes.
Now get out there and enjoy yourself!
Weekly Walking News for W.O.S. Kitchener Waterloo
We always meet at the Waterloo Public Square in Uptown Waterloo just beside Shoppers Drugmart every Tuesday and Saturday.
Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with Sue and Dave for 5 K
Saturday at 8 a.m. for 10 K this week with Sue 
Saturday at 9 a.m. for a 5 K walk with Dave
After we walk we go to Seven Shores Cafe on Regina for coffee and/or breakfast ... please come and join us!
Hope to see you out walking.
Walk On Strong,
Sue