The Most “RUNderful” Time of the Year

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! As much as I love the warm sunshine and the sand in my toes, this really is a magical time of year. It is a time to remember, a time for family and friends and a time for being thankful for what we have. Of course, this is also a time for many holiday parties and delicious dinners — all featuring tasty (though not always healthy) desserts.

Tips for runners to incorporate into training while enjoying the holiday celebrations

• Embrace the magic of the season. We train hard all year, let your mind relax and be thankful for our fitness. We take recovery days for our legs, take some recovery time for your head.

• Call an old running buddy/buddies to share some miles. Do not worry about the pace or distance. Talk about old training runs or races (it’s amazing the things you will remember).
• Run in the woods. Remember when you were a kid playing in the woods. Nothing like it.
• Run in a local Turkey Trot. Run as hard as you want, OR pace a slower friend. Do not be in a hurry to leave. Take time to talk to old friends and meet new ones.

• Have the homemade mac n cheese and enjoy a slice of BOTH (little slice) the pumpkin and pecan pies. If you pick up a couple lbs. the next couple months, big deal! It will give us more motivation to make 2020 the best year yet.

The Bottom line is this

Let yourself enjoy training this time of year. Don’t stress it. Our fitness and training are a big reason that we should be thankful in the first place. It is our lifestyle. Our friends/family and social events revolve around this lifestyle the other 11 months of the year. Take time this season to count all your blessings, hug family and friends, thank a member of our armed forces (and be there for their families), and pray for those less fortunate. I am convinced that if you embrace the real meaning of this holiday (even if your mileage drops or pace slows a little), you heart will be more full, your step a little lighter and you will be a better person, and runner, because of it.

Hope you enjoy this Most “RUNderful” Time of the Year!!

Fast Facts about Jerry:

• C0-Owner and Race Director at J&A Racing
• Favorite J&A Racing Event: All of our events have a special place in my heart, but I would have to say Shamrock is my favorite. I raced the Shamrock Marathon 7 straight years before Amy and I took it over, so this will be the 25 consecutive year that I have spend the 3rd weekend in March at the Va Beach oceanfront. It is also the marathon that I first qualified for Boston (95)
• Favorite Personal Race Memory: I have had SO many incredible race memories, but one that stands out is the 2009 Dublin Marathon. I ran a 3:09 at 49 years old, then we toured Ireland for 6 days with the goal of having 26 pints of Guiness in 26 different pubs. We completed our mission with a shot of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey for the .2 at Dirty Nellies, the oldest pub in Ireland. We also golfed at some beautiful courses and celebrated Halloween, where good friends got engaged, in Port Magee.
• Random Fun Fact: I do everything left handed except racket sports because as a kid I was taught to grab a racket like you were shaking hands. Ping Pong is probably my best sport.