The holidays have a knack for veering even the most dedicated runners off-track. The desire to stay warm inside, eat and drink with friends, and let loose easily overrides the will to go into the winter weather and exert oneself out in the elements. However, when the socializing lessens, reality sets in and leaves people fretting over the time “lost” from training. Remember that taking a break from training isn’t a bad thing. It allows people to decompress and be ready to hit the ground running for their spring goals. Returning to training can either be exciting or daunting. Use these tips to help ease yourself back into the daily grind:
- Sign up for a race/event
It’s a lot easier to find the motivation to kick-start training again if there’s a goal/endpoint. Training for the sake of training is hard to get motivated for, but by signing up for a race it will keep you on track and accountable to put the time and energy into getting adequately prepared. - Treat yourself
There’s nothing quite like a new pair of shoes or piece of clothing to get you fired up to train again. If something as simple as having a new shirt to workout in is enough to get you out the door, it’ll be money well spent. Not a clothes person? Even buying a few new songs to add to your workout playlist can do the trick! - Just put your shoes on
One of the hardest things to do is the first run back after a break. There are so many negative emotions that go through peoples’ heads – of not being fast anymore, that it’s going to hurt, that they’re out of shape etc. A few weeks off isn’t going to deteriorate your fitness, just your mental strength. So head out on your favourite route and you’ll find once that first run is done, the endorphins will start flowing and you’ll breathe in some fresh air then remember exactly why you keep running. After that, you’ll be more willing to get out again and ramp it up. - Start slow
There’s no need to go and bust out an intense workout on the first day back thinking you’ll be right back where you were before the break. It’s smarter to ease into it by doing a couple easier runs and then gradually begin to add in some intensity as you get back into the groove. If you’re dying to get back into workouts, begin with some unstructured fartlek style workouts to get some turnover, or incorporate some hill repeats. These workouts are great strength builders but are effort based leaving you satisfied at the end of the session. - Stay consistent
Create a realistic schedule and adjust your day to facilitate your training. By staying accountable to a program it’ll recreate positive training habits. Simple things like: training with a run group/training buddy a couple times a week; meeting or coffee post-run so you have to get out the door on time; or signing up for a class to use as cross-training are all great ways to keep you accountable and consistent.
