Running tips for the holidays

This week Saturday, November 25, 2021, the team will be meeting up at 8:15 am in front of the Manor facility (219 East 121 Street, New York, NY 10035). The team will be transported to Sleepy Hollow, where we will run/walk the Tappan Zee Bridge 6-mile walk path. Fellow team members are welcome to join us for this iconic breathtaking view of the new and improved Governor Cuomo Bridge (fka Tappan Zee). Once at the foot of the bridge, the team will secure all belongings in the Odyssey House van and promptly start our run/walk at 9:30 am. Carpooling may be the best option for team members trying to meet up with the team at the foot of the bridge. If you are trying to secure a ride with the Odyssey House van, please note that seats are limited and designated to current client participants first. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if anyone has questions about transportation.

Running Tips for the Holidays

Some runners feel pressure to give up running through the holidays; in fact, this is a common complaint. The holiday season is synonymous with a lack of exercise and an abundance of eating. It may be tempting to put training on hold until after the first year, but NOT running can create even more stress on the body. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s is more than two months, two months of not running and holiday partying is not a good combination.

Giving up running for approximately two months means losing as much as 30 percent of your cardiovascular fitness. Combine that with late nights, holiday food, and sugary drinks (soda, eggnog, etc.), and it’s a health and fitness disaster! The average person gains 5-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

Here are a few suggestions to help stay on track:

1. Plan your runs in advance. Look at your schedule for the week and write them in. Having it in your planner makes it more likely to happen.
2. Focus on maintaining your current fitness level rather than improving it during the holidays. Running three days a week for even 20 to 30 minutes will maintain your current fitness level, relieve stress, and give you more time for holiday obligations.
3. Shorten your runs. Something is better than nothing! Some running is better than no running at all, so rather than eliminate a run completely, cut it short. Base your mileage on the time you have available.
4. Substitute intensity for duration. When there is no time for a long run, speed up the pace for a short run. This will increase the effectiveness of a short run.
5. Go with the flow! Be flexible with your runs. Try running at different times of the day so it can fit into your schedule.

Adapted from Runner’s World.

Coach Andre’s tips:

Thanksgiving is always the three f’s: family, food, and fun! It’s a perfect time to engage in a family walk or run at a local park. I generally suggest doing these types of activities as early as possible, before any food consumption. Whether walking or running, it can be the perfect opportunity to catch up on old times and create new memories for years to come. Celebrate life this holiday season by encouraging family members to be active – the body was designed to be in motion. Live well and be well!