Ah, the holidays. A magical time filled with loved ones and friends, good food, twinkling lights, and… the faint anxiety of a runner trying to keep their training on track. The struggle is so real: you want to enjoy the holiday cheer, but you also need (or want) to log those miles. And you know full well that saying, “I’ll just be gone for a quick 10-mile run,” is not exactly going to fill your family with any holiday cheer.
Don’t sweat it. We’ve got some tried-and-true strategies to sneak your running into the holiday schedule – without spoiling it for everyone else.
Become an Early Bird (Even If You’re Not One)
For some folks and families, the holidays are for sleeping in. That’s the perfect time to get up and gone – and perhaps even back home – before anyone even knows you were gone. While your family is snuggled in bed dreaming of cinnamon rolls and such, you’re out conquering the world! Or at least your usual running route. Plus, when you come back smelling like accomplishment, you can smugly sip your coffee while the rest of the house begins to stir.
Pro tip: Lay out your gear the night before. Nobody wants to hear you clattering around looking for your socks or gloves in the dark.
Make It a Group Thing
If you’re the only runner in the family, perhaps you just keep this time to yourself. Or… perhaps you’re up to the challenge of inviting everyone else to join you on the run?? Before you “nope” the idea completely, consider this: framing it as a “fun holiday activity” or a “walk-run to the coffee/donut/bagel shop” might just win some converts. Think festive family bonding, not proving you’re faster than your sister-in-law. Just saying.
Pro tip: Don’t mention pace or heart rate zones. Keep it fun and easy. If your little cousin’s idea of a run is sprinting 20 feet and collapsing, go with it. And if you have to bribe everyone with treats to get ‘em out the door, that’s cool, too.
Disguise It as ‘Errands’
The holidays are the perfect time to practice a little multitasking. Need to pick up some last-minute groceries? Offer to run to the store—literally. Forgot to buy a gift for Uncle Mike? That’s a five-mile errand run right there. Frame it as a selfless act, and you’ll be a real holiday hero. In our head, the exchange goes something like this: Them—“Oh, no!! We forgot to grab dinner rolls at the store!” You, “No worries! I’ll just run to the store and grab those now!” Boom. You save the day (and the dinner) and you got in a workout.
Pro tip: Bring a running backpack so you can carry the goods home.
Take the Long Route for Some “You Time”
Love us some family time, but all the people, the parties, the conversation, etc., can be he little overwhelming for even the most extroverted extrovert. A run can be your perfect escape plan. Politely excuse yourself with, “I’m just stepping out for a little fresh air.” And by “fresh air,” you mean six glorious miles of uninterrupted silence. You’ll come back recharged, de-stressed, and significantly less likely to say something you’ll regret over dinner.
Pro tip: If dinner, get-togethers, parties, etc., are “all hands on deck” affairs, do your part before dipping out for some “you” time. Set the table, vacuum, get a casserole in the oven, or whatever is needed so you can disappear without worry.
Sometimes ‘Short and Sweet’ is Enough
Not every run has to be a long one, a fast one, or even part of a meticulously prepared plan. An easy, 20-minute run is better than nothing and leaves you plenty of time to participate in family board games, visits with friends, or another slice of pie. Think of it as a maintenance run: just enough to keep your runners’ guilt at bay without making it a centerpiece of your day.
Pro tip: Take time to enjoy the holidays. They literally happen just once a year. Be flexible, keep it lighthearted, and remember: sneaking in a run doesn’t have to mean sneaking out on the joy of the season. And sometimes a little break is just what you need to rejuvenate your relationship with running. Cheers!
