Last updated: 17-Feb-19
The Christmas period.. an ultra marathon of eating, drinking and, if you are very lucky, debauchery. It is the season of too much and excess is virtually obligatory. Great news for us, I say!
As ultra runners we are, by out very natures, excessive. We run hundreds of miles a year, just for the sheer fun of it. Woo hoo! So, with that in mind, let’s dive in and tackle this season of good cheer with gusto.
Body
All year your body has been a temple. You have eaten clean, moderated your alcohol intake and generally made yourself hugely unpopular in the office by displaying a metabolism that can absorb carrot cake with no visible effects.
Then, along comes December and it’s a never-ending chorus of “Oh go on, just a little one, it’s Christmas.” And you definitely should indulge. Remember, lycra is stretchy! But, should you want to think about a bit of moderation, Renee McGregor has the ideal plan.
Mind
Christmas celebrations with the family are usually a wonderful mixture of pleasure and pain. It is wonderful if you can be with those that you truly love, but with the highs come some lows and, of course, not everyone can be with their nearest and dearest.
New Year, too, can bring its stresses. There is the pressure of having to have the best night out of the year, and sometimes reflecting on what has gone and what is to come can get you down. Sarah Cooke, our resident psychologist, has some ideas on how to have a happy festive period.
Training
For some, it’s the ideal time for a break but if you want to make sure that you do keep yourself on point and keep running, we have the Christmas gift that is Coach Andy Mouncey for you. He has crafted a plan especially for this time of year.
Presents
Agh! It is getting close to the wire but if you still have some shopping to do and are panicking…. Fear not, we at RunUltra have the answers for him and for her (socks.. that is all I am saying).
Looking Ahead
Fuelled by mince pies and a glass or two, it is definitely time to approach your phone/tablet/desktop/portable etc and get fantasising – I mean planning – for the year ahead.
As the night closes in at 4.30, start thinking jungle ultras and desert ultras or maybe you’ll be inspired to check out an ice ultra. Go on…. Book something crazy Get inspired
If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options you have for 2019. Here are some ideas to help you narrow it down.
Single stage?
Desert?
Just starting off?
Oh, you want to do one NOW! Of course you do and do not fear we have one for whenever you read this. Yep, here it is, the Santa Virtual Ultra. Fun for all the family.
We hope our little round up will help you to enjoy your Christmas holidays even more and to finish up here are a couple of favourite Christmas quotes:
“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.” Phyllis Diller
“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!” Charles Dickens
Merry Christmas to all of you from all of us at RunUltra.
