One of the most questions I hear from runners during this busy time of year is, "How fast will I lose fitness if I take a break from running?" It's definitely tough to find time to squeeze in runs during this hectic season. And since it's cold and flu season, some runners find themselves forced to take a break because they're sick.
So what if your running plans go out the window during this time? Try not to stress about it. It's possible to take up to a week off without losing any ground. Find out what to do if you're going to miss one or two weeks (or more) of running.
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What a great post for this time of year! When we worry about getting our runs in during a very hectic season, it only increases our stress level. Go ahead and spend time with your family. Take a week off if it makes your Holidays go better. Then you’ll only be more focused and energized to get back into your running routine in the new year!
what I do is I use a pedometer and set a target for the year on how many steps to run. If I’m interested in some time off I just increase the steps to get ahead then have some guilt free time off.
If you have been running for a long time (I have been running for 5 years) it really doesn’t do you harm to miss a few runs. In fact it sometimes helps. I have been pleasantly surprised each time i have had to take a break due to sickness or other misfortune. I soon get back into it. The secret is not to get disheartened and think “i’ve missed so many runs I may as well stop altogether!”
I am a compulsory runner, meaning I cannot miss a run without thinking about it all the time. I pride myself on my strong will and discipline. I did miss one planned run this year because I was traveling. Never give yourself any excuse about not running. Running has become a part of my life, a period of time when I can listen to books on tape, when I can ponder on my ups and downs during the day, the week.