Runner Allen Curreri explains why you shouldn't feel bad about letting your training regime slip during the holiday season.

1. RUNNING FOR THE
HOLIDAYS
NOT THE ADVICE YOU EXPECT
ALLEN CURRERI

2. It’s the perfect time good food and better
company, a time for generosity, good
cheer, friends, and family.
IT’S TIME
FOR THE
HOLIDAYS! It’s also the perfect time to let your
training schedule lapse just a little bit.

3. No one can be on their game 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Even professional athletes and trainers take lengthy, strategic
breaks. Knowing how to relax and recover is every bit as
important as knowing how to push yourself and your limits.

4. TAKE A
CHEAT WEEK
- OR THREE!
Three to four weeks away from your usual training
routine is the optimal time for your body to do
some deep healing, repairing all the micro strains
and stresses of hard wear on your muscles and
tendons. Not only will this put you in top shape, it
will also help fortify you against future injuries
that might take you out of the game in a much more
damaging way.

5. STAY STRONG If you want to see fitness
gains quickly, you can keep up
a bit of light exercise during
the break, so that you aren’t
starting from zero when you
return.
Keep in shape with a layoff
training program where you
run about a third of the time
you normally would, for about
half the distance each time. At
best, you should be focusing
on maintaining your fitness,
not improving it.

6. Instead of forcing yourself to stick to an
unrealistic schedule during this busy time,
take a few weeks to withdraw and refocus
this holiday season. Catch up on your
other hobbies, indulge in a few sweet
treats, and spend your time and energy on
what matters most — family.
ENJOY THE
BREAK.

7. THANK YOU!
a l l e n c u r r e r i . n e t