With winter-cum-spring sports coming to an end, it is a time to celebrate being able to get a season in for those who did.
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A few people have said to me that if it wasn't for winter/spring competition they would barely have moved a muscle in this weird year of COVID-19.
But, while rejoicing the fact they got to play and train and be active, the next few months looms as a danger period without those weekly commitments.
That makes now the perfect time to look into what summer sporting options are available this year or to find other ways to keep moving.
Giving parkrun a go could be one way to do so. Building on the success of (not)parkrun - where instead of parkrunners taking part in an organised Saturday five-kilometre event they complete their own version and log it online - parkrun are encouraging people to get together with friends, family and neighbours to inspire each other to complete as many (not)parkruns as possible in the month of October.
You choose the 5km course and decide when and how you want to take part. You can accumulate the distance throughout the day as it does not have to be in one go. It could be while you are out and about, dropping the kids to school, doing the groceries or a couple of stints around the block.
Junior parkrunners (4-14 years) can also register their own walk, jog, or run of 2km. The concept has been branded as parktoberfest and you can find out more or get involved through parkrun.com.au.
Another initiative to get Australians moving in the month of November is Stride4Stroke, which is the Stroke Foundation's annual physical activity campaign.
It is open to survivors of stroke, their families and friends and anyone in the community who wants to get active and raise funds for Stroke Foundation.
Just set your own activity goal to complete anywhere and at any time within the month. That could be running, walking, riding or swimming a set distance during the month or perhaps taking a desired number of steps. It can be a personal or a group activity challenge.
Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Sharon McGowan said the COVID-19 pandemic had brought many challenges which have impacted our ability to maintain good health and therefore to reduce our stroke risk.
"I am a regular runner and have found it much harder to maintain my exercise routine without a fun run event goal to motivate me," Ms McGowan said. "I also know that I am not alone in reaching for comfort food more regularly during the pandemic. But summer is on its way and it's a great time to set a goal to improve our health, feel good and raise money for the Stroke Foundation in the process.
"It's time to take our active gear outside of the home office and onto pavements, beaches and into parks."
One in four people globally will have a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke is a devastating disease that strikes the brain and can change lives in an instant, however more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by managing blood pressure and cholesterol, eating healthily, exercising and not smoking.
Find out more through stride4stroke.org.au.
r.valentine@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.