Christmas advice and pace dropping

[Rhedeg]

Hi,

Just finished run 2 of week 8.

1) my times on the same route per km have been dropping , im still finishing the runs which is what's important but still a little dissapointing and disheartening.

The next point is what I need advice on though.

2) I had planned on finishing this programme this year.

My next run would be Monday then Wednesday then Friday then sunday/Monday to finish

However I find myself off work on Christmas for the first time in 8 years so am hopefully traveling to my. Childhood home to Wales for it.

Monday I'm working 8-5 and then traveling down. I live four hours away from home currently so would be getting home very late after a long drive and then going running to stick to my plan.

My family are having a party on the 27th aswell which is halfway across the country so couldn't have time to run that day if I wwre to move that run to Tuesday.

I'm trying to work out what the best way is to do this whilst ensuring I get enough rest in between runs and graduate this year. Anyone have sny suggestions?

I'm currently thinking of running the Monday night late into the night after I get home.

[Dillyseesee Graduate]

It sounds like a busy schedule. Could you cut yourself some slack and finish later than you had planned. The runs will still be there for you... and you will still achieve... just enjoy your Christmas too... the first one off in 8 years! X

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Year ends are arbitrary things, as are pace and distance covered in a given time.

It doesn't matter when you complete the programme and it doesn't matter how fast you run, you have already statistically reduced your risk of a whole host of life limiting conditions and improved the function of just about every major organ in your body.

You have started running and hopefully that will be for the rest of your life, so what does it really matter when you actually complete the programme.........it is just the first step.

Relax, enjoy your time with family and friends and enjoy your running, whenever you manage to fit it in.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Hidden]

I would just fit in the runs as and when you feel like it rather than trying to micro--plan your week off. Just keep your running gear handy, then if you get the chance, and you feel like running, go. If not, there's always a fresh new day/ week/ year just around the corner.

[Pubcarking Graduate]

Don't worry about the end of year thing, I was meant to finishing November but it was a week into December. So what it doesn't matter nothing is won or lost fit it around you, if you can fit in a few runs great if not don't worry.

[Amerynthe Graduate]

It is great to have a goal, but the best thing about setting your own goals is that you can be flexible with them. I think it's important to enjoy your runs, not just get them done, come hell or high water, and if you run when you're tired, or when you'd rather be with family, you may not enjoy them. The only real pressure is the pressure we put on ourselves so, as others have said, cut yourself some slack! Relax and enjoy Christmas with friends and family for the first time in many years. Get out and run when you can, but don't build your Christmas break around your runs. Have a lovely Christmas!