The holidays can be a busy
time of year full of family commitments, get-togethers
and of course, shopping. Even in the age of COVID-19,
the calendar fills up quickly this time of year. While
for many runners the season brings a welcome opportunity
to re-connect with friends and family, the packed schedule
can make it difficult to stick to your usual running routine.
Use these tips to balance your running schedule with your
other commitments so you can enjoy the holiday season.
Winter Running Injuries
Plan ahead
Take stock of your calendar and plan when you’re
going to go for a run. If you put your runs in your calendar,
you’re less likely to schedule something over top
of them. Try to find times when other commitments are
less likely to derail your running plans, like early in
the morning before work, or, if you’re able, during
your lunch hour.
Be
flexible
That being said, during the holiday season, you’ll
likely need to be more flexible when finding time to fit
your runs in. For example, if you have a holiday house
party to go to in the evening and you know you’ll
be out later than usual, you’re probably better
off not planning to run early the next morning.
Depending on your usual running schedule, some of the
timeslots you usually allot for runs and workouts may
get taken up by other commitments, and that’s OK.
Do your best to find a different time to fit your run
in another time or swap days around so that it works with
your schedule.
Adapt your runs and
workouts
Maybe you can’t find
time for your usual one-hour-long run, but do you have
30 minutes to spare for a quick run around the block?
Under normal circumstances, you don’t want to be
constantly shortening your runs or workouts, but during
particularly busy times like these, it’s OK. After
all, doing something is better than nothing, and even
a short run can help you feel energized and ready to tackle
holiday shopping (or centered and calm to navigate unwanted
questions from relatives about your personal life).
Pack
accordingly
If you’re traveling for the holidays to see family,
make sure you bring a few sets of running clothes with
you. Nothing is worse than looking forward to a good run
(a.k.a. some alone time), only to realize you forgot your
running shoes at home. Make a packing list, check it twice,
and be prepared.
Relax
The holidays can be a busy,
stressful time, and running should be helping to relieve
some of that stress, not add to it. If you need to skip
a few runs here and there in favour of spending quality
time with friends and family, do it. Running may be an
important part of your life, but it isn’t your whole
life. You won’t lose all your fitness by missing
a few sessions, and you can always get back on track once
the holiday season is over. So this year, run when you
can and when you want to, take time off if it makes sense
and makes you feel good, and enjoy the season.
|
219.jpg)
