IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR when we often have a tendency to get distracted from a routine that keeps us active because of the falling temperatures, shorter days, and plethora of holiday festivities we RSVP yes to. With all these factors affecting our daily focus over the next month, making time for staying active can become challenging. There are ways to combat this type of interruption, though.
Not every (or any) activity this season needs to be a marathon. Instead, simply maintaining a basic level of fitness can be enough so that when the real training starts back up after the first of the year, it takes a lot less time to get back up to speed.
Consider running in place while watching the football games on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Or doing a set of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and arm exercises each time your favorite team scores—no equipment required. While we don’t recommend trying these substitute workouts during the corporate Christmas party or family blind-elephant party, we certainly will enjoy hearing about it if you do.
If you can go for a run outside, or on the treadmill, for even one day a week for 20-30 minutes, it’ll make a tremendous difference in your positive outlook around the rest of your jam-packed schedule.
Don’t forget to set an alarm on your Garmin, though. We know how runners get once they start, and you don’t want to be late for the annual feats-of-strength at Uncle Jake’s just to get in an extra 0.17 miles.
Regardless of how much we’re able to do during the month of December, the key is making time to do something so we can maintain a base level of fitness ahead of our resolutions and/or recommitments starting on January 3rd at our spring training program kickoff. Yes, that’s right! If we’re going to be ready for the spring races and summer bathing suits, we’re going to have to get back to it once the calendar year advances. The nice thing about that, though, is we won’t be alone. We’ll have several hundred fellow fitness enthusiasts helping us stay motivated and holding us accountable for showing up to the indoor track or outdoor trails. And we’ll have access to great discounts on all the seasonal gear we’ll need to stay warm, stay energized, stay on target.
Join us in committing to making time to stay active in some way this month and planning to meet up again during the first week of the new year to ramp things back up. Head over to www.davesrunning.com and register for our spring training program designed to address every level of fitness, from beginner to weekend warrior, marathon maniac, and beyond. We promise to help you try to achieve whatever goal you set for 2022.
Dave’s Running Shop was the first running store in Ohio and the only locally owned and operated footwear store in Northwest Ohio. Founded in 1973, four area locations serve the community from Sylvania, Perrysburg, Findlay, and Delta. Don’t let the name fool you. Dave’s also carries a great variety of lifestyle footwear, seasonal apparel, gear and accessories, and provides many opportunities for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to get off the couch, get faster, go farther, and feel better with training programs, coaching, races, and events covering all four seasons.
Don't miss Dave's races!
Runners, get ready to “take your mark” in this exciting community event sponsored by Dave’s Running Shop. For more information, please visit davesrunning.com.
Miracle on Main Street 5K
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 4:00 p.m. (Santa’s Little Helper Kids Dash at 5:00 p.m.) at 5651 Main St., Downtown Sylvania, Ohio.
Join hundreds of runners and walkers in historic downtown Sylvania for the Miracle on Main Street 5K and Santa’s Little Helper Kids Dash, with the annual holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony to follow immediately. We’ll have holiday music playing, providing seasonal perks and refreshments.
The Miracle on Main Street 5K will follow an out-and-back course with a loop through a neighborhood. Starting in Downtown Sylvania, runners will head north to Erie Street, west to San Reno for a neighborhood loop, then back Erie to a downtown Sylvania finish for great viewing of the parade, which begins at 5:45 p.m.
