holidaze running

The holidays are crazy!  There are countless parties, get-togethers, and family gatherings.  Since I've gotten married and had children, I've noticed how the number of commitments during this time of year has multiplied.  Everyone seems to be having an event that we just have to fit into our schedule.  And there can be a lot of stress involved with all of that, not to mention plenty of fattening food and drink.

I'm not a diet guru.  In fact, I'm just the opposite.  But I do know that all of that stuff combined can take it's toll on our running and fitness.  I also know that running can be the answer to all of it as well.

Coach Bill Leach, former track coach at Depaul, and current running/performance coach says tunning over the holidays can be the perfect answer to bringing balance to what is not only a busy, but potentially turbulent time.  It can me an opportunity to get back into it if you've taken a long break since the end of the road running season, or it can be a tool for helping restore your sanity.

I've often said that I don't run so much for the physical benefits as the psychological.  It's my time for brain relaxation.  Running alone for a little while is like my vacation from the world during the day.  I can leave the house mad about something, and by the time I return, I've generally sorted it out and proper perspective has returned.  This can be especially true during the holidays.  Running is the one thing I won't sacrifice.

I think about the weekend ahead, and all the stuff we have going on.  It's practically non-stop.  I addition to the pre-holiday stuff, my oldest daughter was born during the week before Christmas, so we get to add her birthday celebration to the busy mix.  Before any of that begins, however, I plan to get a long run in on Saturday morning.  In my experience, that seems to make the rest of the weekend glide by much more smoothly.  And I don't feel bad about eating lots of her Birthday cake!

While running is the core activity that keeps me going, there are lots of other important fitness goals we can accomplish during this time.  I plan to get into more of what Coach Leach suggests in the next few days.  In the meantime, check out his website for information about everything from core strenth to gait analysis.  www.CoachLeach.com is the site.  I've learned a lot from him, and no matter your level of experience as a runner, I'm sure his advice can be valuable to you too.

Have a great weekend, and don't eat too much!   

Comments

[kevin hacker]

John,

I finished right behind you in the Chicago Marathon. This was my 5th marathon and first time qualifying for Boston. I've signed up for Boston too and am wondering how to prepare for the hills. Besides the few "hills" on the lakefront (around the museum campus and entrance to the lakefront from Roosevelt, there aren't too many places to train. You mentioned Barrington in one of your entries. Where exactly can you run in Barrington? Is it a forest preserve? I live in Lakeview and am not familiar with the suburbs. But if there are lots of hills, it might be worth the trip. Reading other comments about the Boston course -- the down hills for the first several miles -- is a little intimidating and I want to be prepared.