If you dislike winter as much as I do then you would have happily noted we passed the winter solstice on Friday.
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That means we have ticked off the year's shortest day, in terms of the amount of light hours, and it is onwards and upwards now.
OK, so it is still going to be dark of a morning and afternoon for a while yet but knowing that the daylight hours are getting longer, albeit a little at a time, is encouraging.
We're also nearly at the end of June with July - the winter hump month - fast approaching.
If you are a keen runner in the area, you would probably know there is plenty of events coming up to keep you moving.
You can kick off the month by taking on the King of the Mountain trail running event at Mount Sugarloaf on July 6. It is a 25-kilometre out and back (or down and up) course and is run by Newcastle Cross Country. Anyone can enter and you can find out more at www.newcastlecrosscountry.org.au.
Newcastle Cross Country host running events at different locations around the region for the whole family every Saturday, usually around 2pm, between April and August.
At the King of the Mountain, there will also be the option of doing a short, medium or long distance of around 2-3km, 5-7km and 8-12km.
On July 13 is the Raffertys Coastal Run. It is a trail run with 12km, 22km and 36km courses. There is also a kids 1km.
The following weekend, on July 20-21 in the Hunter Valley, the inaugural Moon Marathon will be staged as part of the Winery Running Festival, which also offers a range of distances for a range of ages and abilities.
Then, to finish off July is The Bloody Long Walk on the 28th. It is 35km from Belmont to Newcastle Beach and raises funds and awareness for Mitochondrial Disease. Mitochondrial Disease causes organ dysfunction or failure and has no cure.
There are also other ways to be healthier this July. One includes Dry July. It is a fundraiser which encourages you to go alcohol-free for the month of July to raise funds for people affected by cancer.
According to www.dryjuly.com, just some of the ways going alcohol-free for around five weeks can be of benefit include: "improve quality of sleep, improve wakefulness, enhance work performance, improve concentration, lose weight, decrease in cholesterol, lower blood glucose, decrease in liver fat".
If you are looking for something relaxing, Healing Life Energies is hosting a Soothing Sound Bath at Broadmeadow's Open Mind Space on July 6.
Sophia Soul, of Healing Life Energies, said the sound bath went for two hours. The session focuses on the sound of crystal singing bowls, the gong, reverie harp and other instruments as well as breathing.
"Sound is very therapeutic and healing," Sophia told the Newcastle Herald. "The sound bath allows people to relax and let go and have two hours of self-care."
You can find out more through healinglifeenergies.com.
Upcoming Fitness Events
King of the Mountain, Mount Sugarloaf, July 6: This Newcastle Cross Country event is a 25-kilometre out and back trail course. A good challenge with some hill work required. It is being held in conjunction with the club's weekly run, so there will be shorter courses to also choose from.
Raffertys Coastal Run, Lake Macquarie, July 13: This event features 12km, 22km and 36km trail runs through the Munmorah State Conservation Area.
Winery Running Festival, Hunter Valley, July 20-21: It has a kids' 2km plus 6km, 10km, 21.1km and the inaugural moon marathon of 42.2km.
Winter Workouts Week #4
Keep the winter weather at bay with this short indoor or outdoor session which requires little space. Add a warm-up and cool-down.
Set 1: 20 seconds skipping, 20sec wall squat hold; 40sec skipping, 40sec wall squat; 60sec skipping, 60sec wall squat; 40sec skipping, 40sec wall hold; 20sec skipping, 20sec wall squat.
Set 2: 5 shoulder throws with light weights, 5 pull-ups/rows, Repeat with 10:10; Repeat with 15:15; Repeat with 10:10; Repeat with 5:5.
Set 3: 10 lunge jumps, 10 ab rotation with weight; Repeat with 20:20; Repeat with 30:30; Repeat with 20:20; Repeat with 10:10.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a writer, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.