This time of year, it can be a struggle to stay consistent with your running, even when you have a race (or races) planned for the new year. Holiday parties, events with family and friends, etc., all pull us away — and all for really good reasons! But of course, that means our running can sometimes suffer. How do you keep up with training during the holidays, while also giving yourself ample time off for fun? — Terrell
I run every day, regardless of where I am. I get up early and go for a run, even if it's a short one, before other activities of the day. I have run every day for over 4 years, including Christmas day. My kids are grown up so no one is even up when I go out! It's my time for fresh air and peace before the holiday craziness.
Susan, this is so cool! How many days do you have in your streak so far? And how long do you want to keep it going? If you haven't already read it, there's a great book called "Running With Raven" by Laura Lee Huttenbach about a man in Miami who's led a group run on Miami Beach every day for something like the past couple of decades -- it's a fascinating look into the culture of the group he's created and all the people he has drawn into his life over the years through running.
That's great Susan..My longest streak is 249 days.. I finally ended it on a zero degree day with some urging from my wife! I'm still upset I should have gone out!
249 days is great! In the winter, you just have to dress for it. I live in the UP of Michigan and I don't have or want a treadmill. I have run in "feels like -20" with actual temps at and below zero but those runs are usually just a mile or two! I always tell myself, "You only have to do a mile" but once I get warmed up I can usually do a little more.
That is great Susan! I just ended a small (184 day) streak on Tuesday. I had the flu for about 6 days. On the 5th I just had to stop. I am not sure my body was meant for a streak but it gave me a great appreciation for those who can. I am going to rest for about 2 weeks to let me body heal. Then I will go for 5-6 days per week. Maybe I will try again someday. I very much miss it.
That is awesome... I would love to do a streak... but they always say to give a day or two between runs to let your legs rest.. How do you keep your legs so strong? Do you do alot of stretching??
I don't do rest days, but a lot of my workday runs are very short, only 1-3 miles, so I do have "easy days" and then long runs on my day off or if I get up early enough. I don't stretch as much as I should but I do online wight/HIIT workouts some evenings to help with my strength. In the last 5 years I have run 8 Half Marathons and 2 Fulls in addition to many 5k,10k, 12k, 10 mile races. No matter how battered or beaten up I felt after a Full or a Half, I still ran a mile or 2 the day after and always felt better to go slowly and loosen up all those muscles and get my circulation going. :)
Thanks! Today is day #1665, but that includes about a week this fall when I had to walk rather than run, due to a torn hamstring when I tripped in the dark 1 week before the Marine Corps Marathon, but I still went out and did a mile every day, or walked on the hotel treadmill on the way to Virginia. I didn't know if I would be able to even get more than a few miles in the marathon but I iced, rested, walked, ibuprofen, and visualized those little muscle fibers knitting back together and I was able to run, very slowly, by race day and I finished the Marathon. I want to keep going as long as possible!
That is awesome... I would love to do a streak... but they always say to give a day or two between runs to let your legs rest.. How do you keep your legs so strong? Do you do alot of stretching??
I book races. That ensures (or at least HELPS to ensure) that I will keep running. If I have paid for a race or races, I will be much more inclined to get my butt out there and train, even in the crappy Midwest weather which I loathe.
I have a 10 miler this Sunday, 10K next Saturday, then a 12K (late Dec), 15K (early Jan), 18K (late Jan), half (early Feb), Disney Princess 10K and half marathon (late Feb), Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington KY (late March), the LPHM in Springfield IL (early April), then the IL Half Marathon in Champaign IL (late April), with our running club's "Half-Wits" winter training program mixed in there 3x/week starting in January. That should hopefully keep me active through the winter months. :)
My treadmill is getting a LOT of use lately too. When it drops below 40 degrees, I'm (usually) a no-go for running outside. How many days per week are you getting in?
My treadmill does get a lot of use not because of the cold but because it is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home and I live in the back country of CO so it is safer to run inside.
I hear you on that. I'm not big on running in the dark either -- if nothing else, b/c our sidewalks are filled with a million little cracks and crevices, and I don't want to go crashing down on the pavement in the dark, especially when it's as cold as it has been. But the safety issue is a big one -- years ago, a friend of mine (female) was attacked while she ran in a neighborhood park by herself. She was able to get away unharmed, but it was really scary. I don't think they ever caught the guy, though.
Safety is always on my mind, but one thing that I think about out here in rural CO is mountain lions we had a sighting in our back yard last year. One of my running partners carries this thing that is suppose to scare them away. We joke about it, we try to keep it humerous.
I think that this time of year it is essential to keep running, not so much to keep the holiday calories at bay, but for stress reliever. Group runs help... They offer an open ear and provide an extra incentive to keep your schedule. If I know if someone is waiting for me in the cold, I am more likely to go out and run.
Group fitness workouts , just a fun evening run and weekly once long run . Tough to stay consistent on festive season but moderation of food intake plays a main role as well .
I’m blessed to be an early riser. I can get up at 5 and get a good run in before the world wakes up and the busy work day starts. Asking for prayers-running my first half on Sunday! 🤗 🏃🏼♀️
I try to keep running through December and I usually do a couple of 5K races during the first half of the month. In past years my running has fallen off quite a bit in December and January and that isn't necessarily a bad thing since I train with a run group from February through October and I figure that my body needs a bit of a break. This year I am trying to run a bit more consistently through the month and so far I am not doing too badly. As long as I get in 3 runs each week I will be happy.
Like you, Stacy, we try to keep the December runs low key and fun. We do a few Santa runs just to break things up. but once January hits, someone in our group is usually training for a spring marathon, so we ramp it up, but December does provide a good break for everyone.
We're heading to Winston Salem NC to run the Mistletoe 1/2. We have run this every year since finding out it starts at my mother-in-law's back door! It marks the beginning of the holidays for me and allows us to have an early Christmas celebration and a race. My family knows I'm a happier person when I've run, especially in the winter. So, they just smile when I head out so wrapped up you can only see my eyes!!
Ha! That is awesome. A friend of mine who lives in Charleston, S.C., has a situation like that with the Cooper River Bridge Run, their big 10K -- we literally walked out his back door to the starting line. Really convenient. 😊
I have to run, to survive the holidays and extended family. I run on Christmas day and on my birthday. Which is 3 days before Christmas, then make sure to run before the new year. It's not easy, but make it a priority for me. Everyone in the family knows not to plan stuff too early, so I can get my run.
I adjust my normal running schedule (am before work) based on daily events. If I know it's going to snow overnight and be dangerous, I'll plan an evening run. If we have a full Saturday of activities, I'll get up early and get it done. Even if it's a short 2-3 miles, it's still about the consistency more than anything. And I make a point to include the family whenever possible!
I love that, Jorie! I'm trying to get my family more involved too. We've done a 5K together (one of the Hot Chocolate series races here in Atlanta) and that was the perfect distance for us -- anything longer and it gets a little too much for them. It is all about the consistency!
That's awesome! It's hard to find races where we go for Christmas (rural Colorado) but after breakfast and coffee I can usually convince the others to go out for a run before we start any other family stuff. And it's also about setting the expectation with family that you're going to run - with or without them. And they'll just have to wait for you :)
OH LOVE THAT AREA, I look in the local papers, Ouray should have a fun run this time of year. Have you ever run Mt. Snuffels 1/2 in the summer it is one of the best I have run.
I haven't! We don't get to the area much outside of the holidays, but when we move back to CO (currently in IL, and we WILL be moving back) I'll definitely add it to my bucket list!
I had a couple of women ultra runners recommend them and found out that one has an autoimmune disease (lupus) like I do (Graves Disease) but has done the Badwater 135 twice and several other ultras.
Pretty simple....just get your butt out there and run....get your miles in get your workout in and make the necessary adjustments if you have a party or something scheduled
This is going to be my first year really running outside in the winter as I am training for my first half marathon in May. We already have a good foot of snow on the ground and the temps are in the 20's, so I am working on trying to figure out what I need for layers. My times are not the best, but I know I'm being more cautious. My runs are really "my time" and I love it. As much as I may not feel like doing it some days, as soon as my feet hit the sometimes snow-covered pavement I feel so much better about myself and my day goes so much better!
Even when it is not the holiday season I do my running early in the morning., I usually go out around 7. The run is completed and I can do whatever I have to do that particular day. I prefer the early morning rather than later in the day wondering when I am going to get my run in. It may be a little colder at this time of year but it has worked for me for the last 25 years. No need to change now.
I find my struggle with the mental drain those time of year produces. I am mentally exhausted from people taking their crappiness out on everyone they encounter. Add to this the desperation it puts people in from the financial stress and it just overwhelms. Getting home though it’s merry 5:30pm it’s pitch black outside which adds a layer of safety concern, with the mental disaster of a day. People not paying attention when driving and it really causes me to be thrown off my game plan.
I have made training a social habit so it is not that hard to keep the schedule. I am seeing issues with the social aspects outside of the current schedule. An example is two of my running groups have a combined activity, I am having dental surgery the day before. I am not sure what I am going to be doing until I talk to the doctor. It is things like that which get in my way. I am also hearing weather might be an issue after the first of the year. I just can't do the treadmill thing so we will see if that hurts my training for the of half-marathon's.
Holidays include but are not limited to a turkey trot on thanksgiving, Reindeer run this weekend, rock city half next weekend and the hangover half series on new's eve at 5 and 11:45 pm and then the half on new years day. On and there will be virtual bibs in the stockings on the 25th.
I am old enough to be the oldest living member of my family so everyone come to my house. That makes running somewhat easier. BUT sometimes I still have to adjust my schedule. I have a running group I meet on Saturday mornings. This Friday I had to tell them " I won't be there because my wife said I was busy tomorrow". One guy responded "she is probably right too"
I responded "yep, that's why I said I won't be there" (ps: I moved my long run to Sunday and found out Sat. night I was busy Sunday too (: )
i own a bakery so this time of year is bonkers! i head to a high school track just down the street from me at 3:30am for 3-5 miles before i have to fire up my ovens. it certainly helps me stay grounded and present during the frenetic holiday season.
i have a half-marathon on sunday and am soooo excited!
That’s so great Mary! My dad was raised working in a bakery in the depression. My grandma was a widow with 4 young children. She kept it from when her husband died in ‘34 to around ‘40. Just recently my oldest niece, her great-granddaughter, started a bakery with our surname. She will begin by catering it from her home & selling some at a local market. She is using a lot of grandma’s recipes as well as her own. I work in the paper industry. We make paper products for the bakery industry. The bakery where grandma learned in the ‘20’s before she married grandpa and they started their own, is one of our customers as well. (They are 2 hours away from us) I hope your half goes well!
I try to get at least 3 runs a week and always schedule a race in early January to keep me motivated. The last few years on Christmas Day between the morning breakfast and supper later I started my own tradition of running the golf course near my house. About 5 to 6 miles running the cart paths by myself and use it as a time to reflect on the past year.
I try not to let the festivities of the season impact on my running (or walking) too much. As a matter of fact, it’s cooler mornings where I am and (rainy now) and I simply looove the early morning fog and the fresh air. That alone pulls me out the front door. I still go with a routine even if I have to make some adjustments here and there. Last Christmas was a classic example as I had a full house and even though I had to be up and down with family, I still incorporated some walk/runs which help to keep me on my feet. I may not do actual races and that’s ok as my body needs the break but I still set goals for myself (like doing the virtual races) and start to mentally prepare for upcoming races in the new year.
I take November and December as easy months. I do cherish my runs though, with walking and some Nordic cross training too. It's cleansing and spiritual, in the winter cold, after being bombarded with materialism and hounding by non-profits. I'll get back into building in January.
For me, I'm actually excited to start training again and I think that's a huge factor. I like to wake up in the am and just get my run done with.
Some days are harder than others and some days I complain and whine, but I'm usually happier when I'm done. I also find that with a lot of holiday parties and gatherings sometimes seeing my friends means scheduling an early run together.
Finally, I embrace the treadmill. Some days it's awful outside and I can catch up on mindless television or podcasts and not feel guilty about it!
Same here! I complain and whine probably more than I'm willing to admit 😊. Any good podcast recommendations? And do you have a race in mind you're training for?
For me, the problem is mostly due to the fact that it gets dark earlier from November through Marchish. I absolutely hate running in the dark, I find it depressing in addition to safety concerns. I am fortunate enough to have a job where I can run at lunch time, which I do during the week. It's a great energy booster to tackle the rest of the afternoon. On the weekends, I still manage to get my long runs in - I just get flexible with which day depending on what I have going on during the weekend. This time of year just makes us have to be more creative!!
As Susan mentioned earlier, I run every day, no matter where I am. I live a good distance from family, so sometimes I miss a run day traveling. (I have a 9 hour drive when roads are favorable). I don't like missing a run, but sometimes there's nothing I can do about it. I have routes everywhere I visit. If I'm out of town on business, I utilize a hotel treadmill or design a route for my stay.
I've got my first half-marathon scheduled for the end of Feb, 2020, so I'm pretty inexperienced in all of this... but!
I did well over Thanksgiving. Over the course of the Monday-Sunday week, I ran three 5ks and my longer 8 mile Saturday run.
Ultimately it came down to: 1) not drinking too much wine and beer and 2) making some kinda effort to squeeze the runs in whenever and however, and not necessarily worrying about which days are the *scheduled* days.
I figure it's going to get hairy in December and I'm willing to be flexible. Also, though, my run isn't until February so I feel like I have plenty of post-holiday recovery time.
That is awesome, Stephanie -- #1 is always a challenge in December. 😊 I think you're right about not getting too stressed about sticking exactly to schedule all the time, as long as you get it in. Good luck at your February half!
The bulk of my runs are done between January and end of October. The last couple years I am using November and December to heal, especially this year. I am coming off a Right foot ligament injury. I am back to 90 %. I am working on training 1-2 days a week right now- I'm keeping my miles low, but also trying to watch what I eat.
Wishing you speedy recovery Archie 🏃♂️💪 . I had a shin injury too . Just 1 long run on sundays and mid day 3 mile run is what I targeting for .Just 3 basic stuffs I follow.
1) Nutrition - Micro nutrients ( veggies), Carbs and Proteins
2) Hydration - Half of body weight
3) Sleep -tbh, I suck in this but recommend 8 hrs of sleep.
Exactly ! I do have a personal trainer/friend at Lifetime fitness who motivated me to start running but apparently it’s depends on work routines and lifestyle Patterns. Balancing Personal life , work, sleep , diet , fitness is a Hugeeee challenge . Especially when ur training for a half marathon 😊
I do not have any real magic for keeping at it through the holidays. I have been in the middle of a training cycle for the past 4 years of holidays. So I pretty much just keep at it for whatever is on the schedule. I am hoping to run the Cincinnati Heart Mini (half) in mid-March. So I will want to be ready for that.
I bought a treadmill last winter for myself and that was a HUGE game changer. Not just for the weather, but there are no streetlights where I live and I can only do early morning or evening workouts and even with reflective gear I was nervous about being on the road in the dark. Now I love my treadmill workouts and will sometimes put on a true crime documentary and watch it while I run.
As stated by others, running helps with the hectic holidays for me. I try to run shorter runs so not as much time is away from family/home and add 2 days so instead of running 3 days a week at 5+ miles I'll do 5 days of about 3 miles. Here's a question for you guys though. I'm going to be training for a half marathon in May 2020. I live in Wisconsin so I'm training in the non-humid weather. We are traveling to Mexico in March where the humidity is nasty. I'm supposed to put in about 27 miles in 4 days. I have a great running path that's 3 miles. We'll be there 7 days but I will only be able to run 5 days due to travel. Would you try to do the 3 miles all 5 days or try to do more even with the humidity?
I run every day, regardless of where I am. I get up early and go for a run, even if it's a short one, before other activities of the day. I have run every day for over 4 years, including Christmas day. My kids are grown up so no one is even up when I go out! It's my time for fresh air and peace before the holiday craziness.
Susan, this is so cool! How many days do you have in your streak so far? And how long do you want to keep it going? If you haven't already read it, there's a great book called "Running With Raven" by Laura Lee Huttenbach about a man in Miami who's led a group run on Miami Beach every day for something like the past couple of decades -- it's a fascinating look into the culture of the group he's created and all the people he has drawn into his life over the years through running.
That's great Susan..My longest streak is 249 days.. I finally ended it on a zero degree day with some urging from my wife! I'm still upset I should have gone out!
249 days is great! In the winter, you just have to dress for it. I live in the UP of Michigan and I don't have or want a treadmill. I have run in "feels like -20" with actual temps at and below zero but those runs are usually just a mile or two! I always tell myself, "You only have to do a mile" but once I get warmed up I can usually do a little more.
It still is a nice streak. It was also nice having your thoughtful wife there to have a hot cup of coffee with.😀
That is great Susan! I just ended a small (184 day) streak on Tuesday. I had the flu for about 6 days. On the 5th I just had to stop. I am not sure my body was meant for a streak but it gave me a great appreciation for those who can. I am going to rest for about 2 weeks to let me body heal. Then I will go for 5-6 days per week. Maybe I will try again someday. I very much miss it.
That is awesome... I would love to do a streak... but they always say to give a day or two between runs to let your legs rest.. How do you keep your legs so strong? Do you do alot of stretching??
I don't do rest days, but a lot of my workday runs are very short, only 1-3 miles, so I do have "easy days" and then long runs on my day off or if I get up early enough. I don't stretch as much as I should but I do online wight/HIIT workouts some evenings to help with my strength. In the last 5 years I have run 8 Half Marathons and 2 Fulls in addition to many 5k,10k, 12k, 10 mile races. No matter how battered or beaten up I felt after a Full or a Half, I still ran a mile or 2 the day after and always felt better to go slowly and loosen up all those muscles and get my circulation going. :)
Thanks! Today is day #1665, but that includes about a week this fall when I had to walk rather than run, due to a torn hamstring when I tripped in the dark 1 week before the Marine Corps Marathon, but I still went out and did a mile every day, or walked on the hotel treadmill on the way to Virginia. I didn't know if I would be able to even get more than a few miles in the marathon but I iced, rested, walked, ibuprofen, and visualized those little muscle fibers knitting back together and I was able to run, very slowly, by race day and I finished the Marathon. I want to keep going as long as possible!
That is awesome... I would love to do a streak... but they always say to give a day or two between runs to let your legs rest.. How do you keep your legs so strong? Do you do alot of stretching??
I book races. That ensures (or at least HELPS to ensure) that I will keep running. If I have paid for a race or races, I will be much more inclined to get my butt out there and train, even in the crappy Midwest weather which I loathe.
I have a 10 miler this Sunday, 10K next Saturday, then a 12K (late Dec), 15K (early Jan), 18K (late Jan), half (early Feb), Disney Princess 10K and half marathon (late Feb), Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington KY (late March), the LPHM in Springfield IL (early April), then the IL Half Marathon in Champaign IL (late April), with our running club's "Half-Wits" winter training program mixed in there 3x/week starting in January. That should hopefully keep me active through the winter months. :)
Now THAT's a busy running calendar!
I'm with you John.. Paying in advance keeps the motivation up!
I set up a solid plan from Dec thru Jan and make the treadmill my best friend :)
My treadmill is getting a LOT of use lately too. When it drops below 40 degrees, I'm (usually) a no-go for running outside. How many days per week are you getting in?
My treadmill does get a lot of use not because of the cold but because it is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home and I live in the back country of CO so it is safer to run inside.
I hear you on that. I'm not big on running in the dark either -- if nothing else, b/c our sidewalks are filled with a million little cracks and crevices, and I don't want to go crashing down on the pavement in the dark, especially when it's as cold as it has been. But the safety issue is a big one -- years ago, a friend of mine (female) was attacked while she ran in a neighborhood park by herself. She was able to get away unharmed, but it was really scary. I don't think they ever caught the guy, though.
Safety is always on my mind, but one thing that I think about out here in rural CO is mountain lions we had a sighting in our back yard last year. One of my running partners carries this thing that is suppose to scare them away. We joke about it, we try to keep it humerous.
I think that this time of year it is essential to keep running, not so much to keep the holiday calories at bay, but for stress reliever. Group runs help... They offer an open ear and provide an extra incentive to keep your schedule. If I know if someone is waiting for me in the cold, I am more likely to go out and run.
This time of year is especially great for re-connecting with old running group friends, for exactly the reasons you mention, Barry. Love that.
Group fitness workouts , just a fun evening run and weekly once long run . Tough to stay consistent on festive season but moderation of food intake plays a main role as well .
I’m blessed to be an early riser. I can get up at 5 and get a good run in before the world wakes up and the busy work day starts. Asking for prayers-running my first half on Sunday! 🤗 🏃🏼♀️
I wish I was a morning person like you, Denise! Good luck on Sunday, too! -- which half are you running?
Thank you! Fit team Palm Beach
www.fitteampalmbeachesmarathon.com
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I think running can be a great break from the holiday craziness. It’s easier to deal with planning and festivities after an early morning run.
It sure is! Definitely did over Thanksgiving 😊
I try to keep running through December and I usually do a couple of 5K races during the first half of the month. In past years my running has fallen off quite a bit in December and January and that isn't necessarily a bad thing since I train with a run group from February through October and I figure that my body needs a bit of a break. This year I am trying to run a bit more consistently through the month and so far I am not doing too badly. As long as I get in 3 runs each week I will be happy.
Like you, Stacy, we try to keep the December runs low key and fun. We do a few Santa runs just to break things up. but once January hits, someone in our group is usually training for a spring marathon, so we ramp it up, but December does provide a good break for everyone.
We're heading to Winston Salem NC to run the Mistletoe 1/2. We have run this every year since finding out it starts at my mother-in-law's back door! It marks the beginning of the holidays for me and allows us to have an early Christmas celebration and a race. My family knows I'm a happier person when I've run, especially in the winter. So, they just smile when I head out so wrapped up you can only see my eyes!!
Ha! That is awesome. A friend of mine who lives in Charleston, S.C., has a situation like that with the Cooper River Bridge Run, their big 10K -- we literally walked out his back door to the starting line. Really convenient. 😊
I live near the mountains, so I hike early in the morning before I have to meet family/holiday commitments. I'm my priority!
I have to run, to survive the holidays and extended family. I run on Christmas day and on my birthday. Which is 3 days before Christmas, then make sure to run before the new year. It's not easy, but make it a priority for me. Everyone in the family knows not to plan stuff too early, so I can get my run.
I adjust my normal running schedule (am before work) based on daily events. If I know it's going to snow overnight and be dangerous, I'll plan an evening run. If we have a full Saturday of activities, I'll get up early and get it done. Even if it's a short 2-3 miles, it's still about the consistency more than anything. And I make a point to include the family whenever possible!
I love that, Jorie! I'm trying to get my family more involved too. We've done a 5K together (one of the Hot Chocolate series races here in Atlanta) and that was the perfect distance for us -- anything longer and it gets a little too much for them. It is all about the consistency!
That's awesome! It's hard to find races where we go for Christmas (rural Colorado) but after breakfast and coffee I can usually convince the others to go out for a run before we start any other family stuff. And it's also about setting the expectation with family that you're going to run - with or without them. And they'll just have to wait for you :)
Jorie I agree in rural Colorado the events are not as big but even in Rifle CO I can find a smaller version of a fun run.
How do you find them?? We go to Ridgway, CO and there aren't any scheduled (that I can find) from October until March!
OH LOVE THAT AREA, I look in the local papers, Ouray should have a fun run this time of year. Have you ever run Mt. Snuffels 1/2 in the summer it is one of the best I have run.
I haven't! We don't get to the area much outside of the holidays, but when we move back to CO (currently in IL, and we WILL be moving back) I'll definitely add it to my bucket list!
Holidays are low key for us....but I did hire a coach this year so I just follow the plan and work around that.
Very cool, Diane! How did you pick your coach? How are you enjoying working with him/her?
I had a couple of women ultra runners recommend them and found out that one has an autoimmune disease (lupus) like I do (Graves Disease) but has done the Badwater 135 twice and several other ultras.
Wow! Ultras are a distance I'm completely fascinated by. How was the Badwater race for her?
Pretty simple....just get your butt out there and run....get your miles in get your workout in and make the necessary adjustments if you have a party or something scheduled
This is going to be my first year really running outside in the winter as I am training for my first half marathon in May. We already have a good foot of snow on the ground and the temps are in the 20's, so I am working on trying to figure out what I need for layers. My times are not the best, but I know I'm being more cautious. My runs are really "my time" and I love it. As much as I may not feel like doing it some days, as soon as my feet hit the sometimes snow-covered pavement I feel so much better about myself and my day goes so much better!
Even when it is not the holiday season I do my running early in the morning., I usually go out around 7. The run is completed and I can do whatever I have to do that particular day. I prefer the early morning rather than later in the day wondering when I am going to get my run in. It may be a little colder at this time of year but it has worked for me for the last 25 years. No need to change now.
I find my struggle with the mental drain those time of year produces. I am mentally exhausted from people taking their crappiness out on everyone they encounter. Add to this the desperation it puts people in from the financial stress and it just overwhelms. Getting home though it’s merry 5:30pm it’s pitch black outside which adds a layer of safety concern, with the mental disaster of a day. People not paying attention when driving and it really causes me to be thrown off my game plan.
I hear you, Jay. It's sad how common that can be this time of year. Sometimes we just need a break, don't we?
I have made training a social habit so it is not that hard to keep the schedule. I am seeing issues with the social aspects outside of the current schedule. An example is two of my running groups have a combined activity, I am having dental surgery the day before. I am not sure what I am going to be doing until I talk to the doctor. It is things like that which get in my way. I am also hearing weather might be an issue after the first of the year. I just can't do the treadmill thing so we will see if that hurts my training for the of half-marathon's.
I hear you, Mike! Been there with the dental surgery too -- I hope it's as painless as possible for you!
Holidays include but are not limited to a turkey trot on thanksgiving, Reindeer run this weekend, rock city half next weekend and the hangover half series on new's eve at 5 and 11:45 pm and then the half on new years day. On and there will be virtual bibs in the stockings on the 25th.
Wow -- you're running a race at 11:45 p.m. on New Year's Eve?! My hat is off to you, Cooper!
I am old enough to be the oldest living member of my family so everyone come to my house. That makes running somewhat easier. BUT sometimes I still have to adjust my schedule. I have a running group I meet on Saturday mornings. This Friday I had to tell them " I won't be there because my wife said I was busy tomorrow". One guy responded "she is probably right too"
I responded "yep, that's why I said I won't be there" (ps: I moved my long run to Sunday and found out Sat. night I was busy Sunday too (: )
i own a bakery so this time of year is bonkers! i head to a high school track just down the street from me at 3:30am for 3-5 miles before i have to fire up my ovens. it certainly helps me stay grounded and present during the frenetic holiday season.
i have a half-marathon on sunday and am soooo excited!
Good luck on Sunday!! Which half are you running?
thank you so much! the rock canyon half here in pueblo, co. i can't wait!
That’s so great Mary! My dad was raised working in a bakery in the depression. My grandma was a widow with 4 young children. She kept it from when her husband died in ‘34 to around ‘40. Just recently my oldest niece, her great-granddaughter, started a bakery with our surname. She will begin by catering it from her home & selling some at a local market. She is using a lot of grandma’s recipes as well as her own. I work in the paper industry. We make paper products for the bakery industry. The bakery where grandma learned in the ‘20’s before she married grandpa and they started their own, is one of our customers as well. (They are 2 hours away from us) I hope your half goes well!
I try to get at least 3 runs a week and always schedule a race in early January to keep me motivated. The last few years on Christmas Day between the morning breakfast and supper later I started my own tradition of running the golf course near my house. About 5 to 6 miles running the cart paths by myself and use it as a time to reflect on the past year.
I love that tradition, James!
I try not to let the festivities of the season impact on my running (or walking) too much. As a matter of fact, it’s cooler mornings where I am and (rainy now) and I simply looove the early morning fog and the fresh air. That alone pulls me out the front door. I still go with a routine even if I have to make some adjustments here and there. Last Christmas was a classic example as I had a full house and even though I had to be up and down with family, I still incorporated some walk/runs which help to keep me on my feet. I may not do actual races and that’s ok as my body needs the break but I still set goals for myself (like doing the virtual races) and start to mentally prepare for upcoming races in the new year.
I take November and December as easy months. I do cherish my runs though, with walking and some Nordic cross training too. It's cleansing and spiritual, in the winter cold, after being bombarded with materialism and hounding by non-profits. I'll get back into building in January.
For me, I'm actually excited to start training again and I think that's a huge factor. I like to wake up in the am and just get my run done with.
Some days are harder than others and some days I complain and whine, but I'm usually happier when I'm done. I also find that with a lot of holiday parties and gatherings sometimes seeing my friends means scheduling an early run together.
Finally, I embrace the treadmill. Some days it's awful outside and I can catch up on mindless television or podcasts and not feel guilty about it!
Same here! I complain and whine probably more than I'm willing to admit 😊. Any good podcast recommendations? And do you have a race in mind you're training for?
For me, the problem is mostly due to the fact that it gets dark earlier from November through Marchish. I absolutely hate running in the dark, I find it depressing in addition to safety concerns. I am fortunate enough to have a job where I can run at lunch time, which I do during the week. It's a great energy booster to tackle the rest of the afternoon. On the weekends, I still manage to get my long runs in - I just get flexible with which day depending on what I have going on during the weekend. This time of year just makes us have to be more creative!!
On a day after indulging in the festive intakes, it feels real good - honestly - to put on the shoes and let the cold air slap you around.
As Susan mentioned earlier, I run every day, no matter where I am. I live a good distance from family, so sometimes I miss a run day traveling. (I have a 9 hour drive when roads are favorable). I don't like missing a run, but sometimes there's nothing I can do about it. I have routes everywhere I visit. If I'm out of town on business, I utilize a hotel treadmill or design a route for my stay.
During busy times I find the commitment to run with one or more friends gets me out the door...like today.
I've got my first half-marathon scheduled for the end of Feb, 2020, so I'm pretty inexperienced in all of this... but!
I did well over Thanksgiving. Over the course of the Monday-Sunday week, I ran three 5ks and my longer 8 mile Saturday run.
Ultimately it came down to: 1) not drinking too much wine and beer and 2) making some kinda effort to squeeze the runs in whenever and however, and not necessarily worrying about which days are the *scheduled* days.
I figure it's going to get hairy in December and I'm willing to be flexible. Also, though, my run isn't until February so I feel like I have plenty of post-holiday recovery time.
That is awesome, Stephanie -- #1 is always a challenge in December. 😊 I think you're right about not getting too stressed about sticking exactly to schedule all the time, as long as you get it in. Good luck at your February half!
The bulk of my runs are done between January and end of October. The last couple years I am using November and December to heal, especially this year. I am coming off a Right foot ligament injury. I am back to 90 %. I am working on training 1-2 days a week right now- I'm keeping my miles low, but also trying to watch what I eat.
Wishing you speedy recovery Archie 🏃♂️💪 . I had a shin injury too . Just 1 long run on sundays and mid day 3 mile run is what I targeting for .Just 3 basic stuffs I follow.
1) Nutrition - Micro nutrients ( veggies), Carbs and Proteins
2) Hydration - Half of body weight
3) Sleep -tbh, I suck in this but recommend 8 hrs of sleep.
I do too with sleep. It's not easy to have consistent 7-8 hours (I have small kids, which makes it especially difficult!)
Exactly ! I do have a personal trainer/friend at Lifetime fitness who motivated me to start running but apparently it’s depends on work routines and lifestyle Patterns. Balancing Personal life , work, sleep , diet , fitness is a Hugeeee challenge . Especially when ur training for a half marathon 😊
🙏🏻
I do not have any real magic for keeping at it through the holidays. I have been in the middle of a training cycle for the past 4 years of holidays. So I pretty much just keep at it for whatever is on the schedule. I am hoping to run the Cincinnati Heart Mini (half) in mid-March. So I will want to be ready for that.
I bought a treadmill last winter for myself and that was a HUGE game changer. Not just for the weather, but there are no streetlights where I live and I can only do early morning or evening workouts and even with reflective gear I was nervous about being on the road in the dark. Now I love my treadmill workouts and will sometimes put on a true crime documentary and watch it while I run.
As stated by others, running helps with the hectic holidays for me. I try to run shorter runs so not as much time is away from family/home and add 2 days so instead of running 3 days a week at 5+ miles I'll do 5 days of about 3 miles. Here's a question for you guys though. I'm going to be training for a half marathon in May 2020. I live in Wisconsin so I'm training in the non-humid weather. We are traveling to Mexico in March where the humidity is nasty. I'm supposed to put in about 27 miles in 4 days. I have a great running path that's 3 miles. We'll be there 7 days but I will only be able to run 5 days due to travel. Would you try to do the 3 miles all 5 days or try to do more even with the humidity?
If it's not the first thing out of bed, then I skip it. The trick to balance is to not make sacrificing important things become the norm.