We may loosen our belts a bit after
Thanksgiving dinner, but most avid runners aim to tighten up their training
regimens at this time. At least, many of us intend to muscle up to raise our resolve to keep at
it throughout the holiday season.
"I refuse to turn into a couch potato this winter," any runner might say - and probably mean it.
"I refuse to turn into a couch potato this winter," any runner might say - and probably mean it.
But it’s just much too easy to avoid running
during the busiest weekends or during inclement weather. Last year, for
example, I fell during a mid-December trail race and was sidelined for months.
It’s hard to come back after an extended hiatus from running!
Let's face it. Some of us need a little extra push, right about this time of year.
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| Adapted from public domain artwork. |
Enter
the holiday running programs.
Multiple running and fitness groups offer
special programs and incentives from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, helping
individuals to grow more motivated to get their sweat on during the winter
holidays.
Here's a popular example. The Virtual
Holiday Mile Run/Walk offers finishers’ medals and commemorative tee
shirts. It costs $25 to join. Participants agree to run or walk at least one
mile per day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. To prove they've muscled up to the challenge, individuals are expected to post their daily efforts on social media or on the event website.
Logging daily miles doesn’t seem like such a tall order, unless one considers potential blizzards outdoors and flurries of activities as well. But that's sort of why they call it a challenge.
Logging daily miles doesn’t seem like such a tall order, unless one considers potential blizzards outdoors and flurries of activities as well. But that's sort of why they call it a challenge.
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| Holiday Mile promo - fair use |
I’ve joined a holiday fitness challenge put
on by the local chapter of a running organization to which I belong.
Participants earn points for runs and workouts, with bonus credits for those
completing such efforts together. Top finishers will receive free
logo-imprinted running wear from the group.
With the loftiest of ambitions, I’m hoping
to keep on plugging, racking up daily Fitbit step goal totals and staying on
track with my own training runs. I’ve already signed up for a couple of races
during that time period, as those deadlines tend to focus my efforts. If I don't have future races on the books, I might not hit the bricks.
OK, deep breaths, everyone.
OK, deep breaths, everyone.
Welcome,
holiday season! Here we go.
Image:
Adapted from public domain art
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