To run or not to run

Should I run on Christmas Day?

This is the question many runners ask themselves. Yes, there will be someone out there running on Christmas Day, and just because they are, doesn’t mean you should. Likewise, if you always run on Christmas Day, just because somebody else doesn’t, does not mean you should feel pressured into not doing so. I also write from a non-alcohol drinking perspective, therefore if you enjoy a few too many drinks on the 24th or the 25th, going for a run may be off your schedule completely!

Whether you should or shouldn’t run on Christmas Day is entirely up to you! Some people feel they need to run on Christmas Day and enjoy the short break to get out of the house and escape the madness for a short while. This is completely ok! If you enjoy doing this no one should tell you otherwise. Other people enjoy going for a run as soon as they wake up on Christmas Day. They enjoy lapping up the serenity of the quiet roads on Christmas morning. And again, this is completely ok!! Whilst other people enjoy going for a late afternoon/ evening run. They enjoy going out for a jog to lighten up their stomachs and gain some more room for the evening delights involved on Christmas Day! As you guessed, this too is ok!

On the other hand, some people enjoy a day off from running on Christmas Day! They see Christmas day as a day to be spent entirely with the family and enjoy a couple of drinks too many. It’s the one day of the year where you can be surrounded by those you love and do absolutely nothing except eat, drink, and laugh with silly hats on your head and it be acceptable! It’s completely up to you whether you do or don’t run on Christmas Day! Personally, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t! Most of the time I don’t! Christmas Day has always been a day spent entirely with my family. It is a day to be with those I love and not put my trainers on. Yes I do factor it in to my training plan and ensure it comes at a day off that fits with the rest of my training in December, but that’s just how I do it. If it doesn’t fit with your training, but you want the day off... then do it!

Do whatever suits you! There is no correct answer whether you should or shouldn’t! Enjoy the day, it only comes once a year!

Oh, and Happy Christmas!!