June Welcome – Live Well, Travel Well, and Breathe Hatteras Island

Taking one small step at a time

We’re halfway through the year already, and there’s no slowing down! So what can we do to keep going on Hatteras Island and stay motivated? Spring’s action brought us Blackbeard’s Revenge 100 ultramarathon, cycle tours speeding to the end of Hatteras and back, and hikers completing their Outer Banks leg of the Mountains-to-Sea trail, a 1200-mile route through North Carolina. https://mountainstoseatrail.org/segment/18/

Equally impressive are the ‘everyday’ walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists, and even long-distance skaters—taking to our island’s pathways, beaches, and open stretches of highway. From all of them we learn it’s not the distance that matters; it’s the commitment. And the key to reaching your goal or crossing the finish line is to take one small step at a time.

It’s never too late to start. Here are a few fun ways you can challenge yourself to go the distance and maybe clock in a few miles this summer! The first Monday in June is National Trails Day. The initiative encourages people to get outdoors, connect with nature, and explore hiking trails through its events and environmental pledges. So go grab your shoes, find a hiking buddy, rent an e-bike, or even ride a horse, and go find a trail near you. https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/

The Run Hatteras 5K Summer Race Series returns to Avon this month. The weekly meet takes place at 8am every Friday from June 21 to August 9 at Kinnakeet Shores. https://www.theobxrunningcompany.com/hatteras-5k-run-avon…

Celebrating Independence Day, the inaugural 4 for the 4th race kicks off at 7am July 3 in Avon. Organized by the Barrier Island Group, you can run, walk or do what it takes to complete the 4-mile course in support of community organizations and nonprofits on Hatteras Island. https://www.barrierislandgroup.com/

Whether you’re focused on a great physical feat or simply putting time aside to keep your health and wellness in check, going the distance is more than seeing something through to completion. It’s also being aware of the journey and how to deal with pitfalls along the way. Some days it’s easy to lose motivation. And if we get knocked down, it’s ok to start again. You can always pick up where you left off or try a different path; just keep moving forward and you will get there in the end.

Photo credit: RUN 4 FFWPU