January 2nd Or When The Glow of Resolutions Has Faded

January 2nd Or When The Glow of Resolutions Has Faded

Despite this being the “new year, new me” part of the year, full of resolutions and good intentions, I tend to struggle with maintaining any level of good running habits around this time of year. I’m guessing I’m not the only one. Between the flood of New Year’s Resolution posts on social media, your spouse suggesting we “scale back on sugar and caffeine” (whaaat…why...?), and all of the shiny, new goals you may have just committed to, it can feel like a lot to keep track of and live up to. Then, just when you are starting to feel like that balanced person you envisioned who prioritizes self-care, hydration and learning a new language, you add going back to work after a few days or weeks away! Even if you know that running is a positive force in your life that helps with stress and your general well-being, how could you possibly add running to your list of to-dos?! (Well, maybe if you squeeze it between your vegan meal prep time and your morning commute meditation practice...)

Maybe I’m the only person who does this to myself every. single. year. But on the off chance that you’ve read this far, because you are similarly conflicted, I have some ideas to help you power through this season of good intentions.

• Shake up the routine.

Anything that feels like a “have to” on the to-do list can start to feel like a chore. I have found that I am much more likely to make time for running during a busy period if I’m going somewhere different or especially scenic. For me that’s usually trails or going on a group run, like the Fleet Feet Pub Run. For some, it might be trading in the neighborhood run, for a trip over the Ravenel Bridge or meeting friends to run a themed 5K. Make it fun (or at least more fun). Having more fun was probably also a resolution, so get on it!

• In winter weather, dress to be the least miserable.

During the Charleston Marathon this past weekend, my picture would have looked very different. Dressing to be less miserable during that race would have looked more like a bikini and a portable AC unit. Sometimes Charleston winters throw us a curveball though, and it actually gets cold. On especially cold days when I venture outside for a run, I notice that I have the West Ashley Greenway virtually to myself, which has the added benefit of making me feel (temporarily) pretty tough. So determine what items help you to be comfortable, but not steamy, and use them when everyone else stays inside!* (My go-tos: a Buff, a running hat, and multiple layers.)

*This will also help you check off “generally be more of a bad ass” from the resolution list.

• Rest

 The intensity of News Year’s resolutions means that running goals can sometimes go overboard. Running every day may seem like a more ambitious goal than saying you’ll run 4 or 5 days a week, but taking rest days can help rejuvenate your legs and maintain your interest in running. Convincing yourself to give your body some time to recover and be strong for your next run or race can be hard if you’ve just set a lot of new goals and placed pressure on yourself, but doing so pays dividends in the motivation and happy runner departments. However, the flip side is that a rest day can become a slippery slope, as one can easily become three or four. Left unchecked, you could, hypothetically, become a “rest day monster” and demand that your husband tow you around in a sled while you’re on vacation because it’s your “rest day” (see anonymous photo submission at left). To avoid either extreme, I recommend scheduling when your rest days will be each week so that you maintain a good balance and have a purpose for each day. If “seeing friends and family more often” is on your Resolutions list, rest days may just give you a bit more valuable time to do some light activity and socialize with your favorite people. (Just ditch the sled. So I’m told.)

Enjoy the run. (And don’t forget to hydrate!)