I know, I know, as a diehard runner, long distance endurance, mid-distance, or otherwise, it’s hard to imagine taking an extended running break over the holidays. But hey, guess what? It can actually do a body good – mind, soul & spirit too, for that matter!
Taking a break to kick back and socialize can actually give your consistently trained body a chance to recover from the miles of hard running (“stress”) we put it under during those months of dedicated training and racing. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and almost every physiological system are challenged and can use the time off.
VO2 max is one of the best measurements of a runners physical fitness (VO2 max is an individual’s maximum ability to transport and use oxygen during exercise). Recent studies show that there is little reduction in VO2 max for the first 10 days following inactivity in decently-trained athletes.
Not only does resting for seven to ten days have little negative impact on your current fitness level, the long-term gains will outweigh any temporary reduction in fitness. Even if you take an entire two weeks off over Christmas and New Years, according to Runners World, a decline in Vo2 max can be made up in a week or two with some good old solid training!
So there you go, there’s nothing to worry about. You don’t have to hesitate to relax over the holiday season. Your training and love of the sport will not diminish if you give your body some likely overdue TLC! Go for it…just don’t OVERDO it on all the wonderfully delicious Christmas sweets!
Merry Christmas & may all your hopes and dreams come true in the New Year!