It’s the most hectic time of the year
I hope you’re all enjoying the week leading up to Christmas 
I’m sure everyone is super duper busy!
I’m still working, I haven’t wrapped a single gift, I need to bake 4 kinds of cookies tonight, and prepare the house for my parents’ and brother’s arrival tomorrow night. I’m hosting Christmas for my family and my in-laws. I haven’t even thought about the menu yet. #slacker
It’s the time of year when tempting treats take precedence over tempo runs:
The house is filled with holiday cheer:
And more time is spent with loved ones:
Don't they look like they love me? 
People tend to take two extremes when it comes to exercising over the holidays:
- Table your training plan until January 1 or
- Have zero flexibility and do all of your planned workouts no matter what (note: this it totally cool- even preferred- if you have an upcoming race and PR dreams)
I used to fall into the latter group. But this year I’m being more relaxed about workouts. I keep reminding myself I have my whole life to run so there’s no reason to get upset when I miss sweat sessions during the holidays.
A trip to my favorite website reminded me that we can usually afford to cut back on exercise without sacrificing fitness.
A 15 minute stroll down the block will not take the place of two, 5 mile runs. But skipping a run or two each week during the holidays will not hurt you. (once again, unless you’re training to PR)
So go ahead and give your sneakers an extra day off. After all, running around the mall doing last minute shopping and baking for hours on end is not exactly sedentary activity
How are you squeezing in activity this week?
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December 22nd, 2010 - 10:53
Great post! You clearly have a really good mindset when it comes to the holidays. I’ve been good about still getting my workouts in, but I know that once I begin traveling and visiting with relatives my sneakers will fall by the wayside. Thanks for the reminder that that’s OK! (No PR goals in sight for me right now — no races until March.)
December 22nd, 2010 - 11:06
I’ll be running my long run today (before I head home this afternoon) instead of sunday, since i’ll be bustling between family & friends. I know I won’t be getting my cross training in, since I won’t have access to a gym, but I certainly won’t sweat that. If I miss a shorter run, oh well! At least I got my long run in for the week!
December 22nd, 2010 - 11:23
it’s the evil gingerbread man again!!! lol! I need to find the pic of the one from last year. I swear he looked more creepy for some reason.
I am tapering so in my head I am not “running that much” even though I still am running 3 days a week and cross training. I am just shortening my runs and trying not to stress!
December 22nd, 2010 - 11:24
So far, I haven’t had too much trouble getting some good workouts in, but I’m trying not to stress over them either. I run 3x/week and get some great workouts mixing cookie batter, walking the mall, and dancing to carols on the other days
Enjoy the holidays with your family!
December 22nd, 2010 - 11:50
Just found your blog the other day and have since read the whole thing
I, too, share your TTC issues (have had surgery once a few years ago)…and go back and forth between TTC and signing up for races.
I have a race in 2 wks, 3 days…so the training has to happen. But I’ve been shuffling around my days depending on what’s happening with family get togethers. My long runs are usually Saturday but last week had to be switched to Friday since I had family coming to town on Saturday and Sunday. Same for this week — I think I’m going to move my long run to Friday since Christmas is Saturday and I’m not going to want to do anything that day!
December 22nd, 2010 - 12:05
I agree- there are no many cookies to bake at this time of year! But, I am loving every minute of it.
December 22nd, 2010 - 12:18
Your pup is so cute in those hats! I want to hug him – how is his leg doing?
This week has actually been easier for me to exercise because work is completely dead so I can take long lunch breaks to workout.
December 22nd, 2010 - 12:26
He would love for you to hug him! He’s doing ok. Just stiff when he gets up. He’s still on an anti-inflammatory. And he’s not happy with me that I cut his walks short.
December 22nd, 2010 - 14:01
I love your puppy in those pics!! What a cutie!
I’m trying not to be super-anal about still getting workouts in…great post to remind!
December 22nd, 2010 - 14:50
Thanks for this post! It’s great to hear
I just try to get in workouts when I can (e.g. early mornings) so I don’t miss anything!
Aww I love your dog, and he looks so cute in antlers! My dog wouldn’t stand for that!
December 22nd, 2010 - 15:52
I’m actually struggling with this right now. I was fine with getting in all the workouts up until this week. I’ve never actually been actively training for anything through Christmas before, so this is all new to me. On the one hand, I really want to do well in the marathon so know I need to put in the time. But on the other hand…it’s Christmas. And I think I would ultimately regret it more if I put the training ahead of everything else, instead of just working it in when I can (and not beating myself up about it when I can’t).
Also, LOVE the antlers!
December 22nd, 2010 - 16:06
I’ve been doing well on getting ACTUAL running in, but not well on doing any other kind of cross training, which I think is my downfall right now. Because of all the holiday stuff going on, I feel like I have to get that stuff done on my non-running nights, so it is ruining any chance for yoga or cross training.
December 22nd, 2010 - 19:43
I’m not going out of town, so it’s definitely easier to fit exercise in because I can just go to my regular gym. However, I went out of town for Thanksgiving and just told myself that not working out for a couple days wasn’t going to hurt me. And it didn’t.
December 22nd, 2010 - 20:57
I am in the final 2 weeks of my half- marathon training so I HAVE to do my workouts. I did take an unscheduled rest day on Sunday because I was so sore from a race I did (in the snow and ice) on Saturday.
It’s almost taper time for me so I’m trying to finish strong!
December 22nd, 2010 - 21:21
Nice pictures! I will be continuing to run over the holidays (because I will only be more cranky if I fall back in my training plan), but I’m committing to getting up early (just like I do normally) to run and have it be done for the day so I don’t miss out on any precious family time!
December 22nd, 2010 - 22:10
I’m somewhere in the middle of those two groups…and in years past, I’ve lived in the land of extremes. This year, my motto until January 1st is “do as well as you can”. I’m trying to focus on balance and not feeling guilty. I’ve actually allowed myself to have a treat every day the month of December and as a result, I weighed in at Weight Watchers 4 pounds heavier than I did on December 1st. In the big picute it’s all worth it and I know as soon as I go back to a normal eat, sleep, running schedule the weight will come right back off and the mileage will go right back up
PS: LOVE the Clemson ornament!
December 22nd, 2010 - 22:48
I am definitely not postponing my workouts until 1/1 but I can’t say my runs have been great lately. I have been religious about yoga but my runs have suffered. I’m not sure it’s even a holiday thing! Sounds as though your head is in a good place though.
December 23rd, 2010 - 09:06
I am usually in the work out religiously group, and this year is no different! I am running my second marathon in March and really hope to PR so I can’t afford to slack. Even though I am traveling to my hometown where the HIGHs each day are often in the teens and there is usually several feet of snow on the ground, so running will be a challenge. However, I have completely forgone all other important tasks, such as grocery shopping, returning library books, cleaning, etc. Something has to go!
December 24th, 2010 - 08:04
Make running plans with friends and stick to them!!! I’m currently sitting here with my friend Stef preparing for our long run…
Let me know if you need any recipe ideas for Christmas!
December 24th, 2010 - 09:01
I have squeezed in a couple workouts this week, but the chaos of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day may prevent me from getting in a lot of activity. I am trying not to feel guilty about it.
December 24th, 2010 - 09:59
Hello! I just found your blog through a link on The Chic Life, and I realize I recognize you! A few years ago I was planning my wedding and used to read the Dis Boards (I ended up not getting married at Disney, so I never posted much, just lurked mostly). But, I remember your wedding, it was beautiful! So random that I now stumbled upon your blog here, which I love! Anyway, just wanted to say hi.
December 24th, 2010 - 22:54
I hope you guys have a great christmas tomorrow. We flew to Chicago and then trained to michigan for the holidays. I’ve done two 5 milers because my body needed/wanted it and it worked with our schedule. But if I miss a day or two, i’ll just do a little yoga and call it a merry christmas!
December 29th, 2010 - 20:54
I love your relaxed mentality!
And, I love the doggie ears. Your doggie looks kinda like my retriever….the snout. Gotta love them. I made mine wear a polo shirt and pose for xmas pics this year. He was a good sport but did not love it.