When Sarah and I first discussed her OutdoorFest project, one of the first things I noticed was the genuine need to be outside we both had in common. Yes, a need. And a powerful one. Wether it’s grabbing a backpack to go all over the great outdoors for a weekend or simply putting on a pair of running shoes after work for a 40-minute run in our neighborhood or to the closest park, we’re looking for one single feeling: the satisfaction of being enjoyably tired.

The most important word here isn’t « tired », but « enjoyable ».

We’re not rushing toward the outdoors every chance we get to compensate for anything. Working out outside just makes us feel good. It’s as simple as that. We became aware of the invigorating and soothing results of a regular outdoor routine, and we want to share that consciousness. We wish to inspire people to get outside, no matter the weather, knowing they’ll come home overjoyed and stimulated.

When it comes to exercising, for as long as I can remember, I never ran out of energy. Energy to go outside, energy to galvanize people into doing something they think « isn’t for them ». Yes, it requires a little effort sometimes. There are days where laziness and fatigue takes over. We aren’t machines and our motivations are subjected to the hazards of life. But the contentment we feel once we start running or pedaling should lead the way: the hard part is just to put these jog pants and shoes on and go through the door.

I like getting (almost) out of breathe in the first few minutes of my run, until progressively realizing that I’m getting it under control and no longer suffers: my heartbeat gets steadier, my strides lengthen… that’s when the bliss begins.

Yesterday evening, I ran from East Williamsburg to Dumbo where I was meeting a friend. It was pouring. It wasn’t the most exciting itinerary. I hesitated. But as it turns out, the rain made this 8-mile round-trip run even more pleasant, and I told myself upon arrival, pumped : « we shouldn’t cancel OutdoorFest running events because it rains. » We’d like New-Yorkers to feel as pumped as I felt last night. And it’s even better as a group. Rainfalls are part of the game, it’s inherent to the outdoors. This week, no matter the weather, let’s go running, because « runners don’t get rained out, they get rained on ».