Realistic Training During the Festive Period

 'Tis the season!  Whether you are celebrating a religious holiday or not this December, the end of a calendar year is often a time to connect with loved ones. Perhaps spend some quality time with your family or close friends, or re-connect with some long-lost ones for your annual catch-up.

With the above in mind, social plans are often steadily flowing throughout the month, and things might get a little out of synch in terms of routine. Schools' break-up for a few weeks, gyms often embrace amended timetables, friends and family travel the globe… there are many variables. 

So, what does this mean for your training? Well, it’s pretty much up to you! My advice here is to be realistic with your training, not overly optimistic. As leaning too heavily on the optimistic side may leave you feeling overwhelmed by your training, or even guilty for missing sessions. 

Firstly, jot down any variables that you might encounter this month. E.g. travel dates, meals out or parties with family/friends, school holidays, days off work, work deadlines etc. Once you have these, plot them in your training calendar so you that you (and your coach) can easily identify any changes to your usual week(s). 

From here you can create your plan:

Training through

• This approach is best if you have an A Goal very close to the winter break, and easier to implement you are not facing many variables this month. 

• Important: be flexible if you need to be regarding moving session days, to ensure that you are still getting in enough sleep and overall recovery. 

  Ease up

• It is totally OK to take some time off, and to prioritise family/friends during this month. Simply view training as fun, perhaps even jump into more community sessions than you normally would. 

• If you are travelling, this is a perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the new environment. Use running to explore! 

  Rest and reset 

• A week off is not going to undo all your hard work this year. In fact, it might make your 2023 even better. 

• Simply going into the new year well rested and hungry to train again should certainly be considered, and can help to avoid burn-out. 

Being totally honest with yourself this month is key, as it will help determine how best to ensure that you do not come into January feeling rundown, overwhelmed, or disappointed. 

Happy holidays to anyone celebrating this month and all the best for 2023!