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8 Ways To Run Over The Christmas Period

8 Ways To Run Over The Christmas Period

Worried that December will derail your running routine? On the contrary – there are lots of new ways to run this month!

Every runner wants to keep their running schedule going over Christmas, but it’s easier said than done. But you know as well as we do that if you keep running in December, you’ll feel healthier, happier, and less stressed. If you think it’s difficult to fit running in around the Christmas build-up, take a look at this list. There are lots of new and unique ways to run at this time of year!

Propose A Family Run

The kids are off school, you’ve got family staying, and everyone’s schedule is a bit topsy-turvy. Make the most of having family around. Invite them on a run with you! The sporty ones will appreciate the chance to get out and stretch their legs, and the less-fit ones could power walk or ride a bike whilst you run. If a family run hasn’t always been part of your Christmas, it’s not too late to start a new tradition!

Add “Running” To The Diary

How’s your diary looking for December? Hectic? So make sure running is an appointment, just like anything else. It’s not selfish to look after yourself, in fact it’s crucial when life gets busy! Actually mark your training runs in your diary or family planner. You might not be able to run as often as usual, but if you can get 3 running sessions in per week, you’ll feel so much better (and less stressed).

Run In The Morning

In the lead up to Christmas, it can be easy to let the day run away from you. It’s so frustrating when you want to run, but things keep cropping up and it’s getting later and later… So run early. Get it done, then tackle the day’s to do list. If you commit to running in the morning, you can be confident that it will always get done. There’s no better feeling!

Do A Santa Run

Has your local town got a Santa run? Get involved! Or if you’re feeling extra enthusiastic, you could organise one with the help of the local running club, gym, or PTA. A 5K Santa run is a fun way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Your Local Parkrun

Your nearest parkrun will be offering 5K events all through the festive period, but some groups even offer a one-off parkrun on Christmas Day. Check your local parkrun group to see when their events are held. It’s a fantastic free 5K event which welcomes kids and dogs, too, so the entire family can get involves. Although parkruns aren’t competitive races, they will give you the motivation and accountability to turn up and run with a great group of likeminded folk.

Sign Up For A Boxing Day 10K

Runners love to run on Boxing Day! If heading out for a training run isn’t enough for you, sign up now for a Boxing Day 10K. Blow away the cobwebs, burn off some of the Christmas pudding, and enjoy the company of a load of other runners. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and maybe even get a PB (who knows?) Sign up now and you’ll have some structure to your training throughout December, too.

Run Your Commute

Can you run to work, or run part of the school run? At busy times of the year like now, combining running with commuting (or local chores) kills two birds with one stone. If your dog is healthy and fit enough, how about running with him or her? Or add in some hill reps in the middle of the dog walk so pup gets his walk and you get some HIIT running training.

Up The Intensity

Which leads us to our final suggestion – increase the intensity of your running sessions over Christmas. When time is tight, it’s not realistic to run more often or for longer. So grab every opportunity you can to run for 20-30 minutes, and make those sessions count! Use HIIT training ideas, hill reps, fartlek, sprints, or any type of interval. You will do as much work in 20 minutes as you could on a longer, slower run. You’ll burn calories, bump up your metabolism, and increase your fitness. Training intensity is key when you’re time-poor!

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