The holiday season is about joy, festivities, and connecting with those you love. For runners, it’s the perfect time to incorporate the holidays into their fitness endeavors. Running traditions are about more than just fitness - they are a great way to connect fitness with those you love. Whether you are a beginner runner or a seasoned marathon runner, creating new traditions is a great way to foster relationships with friends and family during the holiday season. Here’s how you can incorporate running and fitness with your friends and family.
PRIORITIZING FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN YOUR HOLIDAY RUNNING ROUTINE
THEMED HOLIDAY RUNS
Organize or participate in a holiday themed run with your friends and family. Turkey trots, ugly sweater runs, and New Year’s runs are not only festive, but a great way to incorporate running into the hustle of the holiday season. Staying active during the holiday season can be difficult, but festive fun runs are a helpful tool to increase your activity level. Inviting family and friends of all running or walking paces is a great way to foster togetherness while embracing the holiday cheer. Running with those you love promotes motivation and confidence during the busy season. Click here to read more about the significance of running together.
DOCUMENT THE TRADITION
Capture the holiday memories by taking photos or videos of your run with your family and friends. Journaling is also a great way to document your festive memories. Writing down your experiences like the laughter you shared or the small victories you achieved on your run can make for a nice keepsake. Consider creating a scrapbook or digital album of each year's holiday running memories. Including photos as well as journal excerpts can be a fun way to highlight the holiday experience. Watching your holiday tradition evolve through the years can be a heartwarming reminder of running memories you have shared with friends and family.
VIRTUAL RUNS
Many families and friend groups spend the holiday season in different locations making running together difficult. Organizing a virtual holiday run is a fun way to make those who live far feel closer to home. Pick a date and time that everyone in your group can participate in a virtual run and each member can join by walking or running in their own area. Sharing photos, videos, and paces can be a great way to motivate each other during the busy holiday season. To make it special, choose a festive theme and wear holiday running gear to embrace the holiday spirit. Over time, this could become a cherished family tradition, blending fitness with togetherness and keeping the spirit of the holidays alive no matter where life takes you.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION RUN
A New Year’s resolution run is a great way to bring the holiday season to a close and start the new year on a high note. Sharing a New Year’s resolution with family and friends is a great way to blend fitness, motivation, and quality time. Before January 1st, going over your resolution with your loved ones will promote accountability within the group throughout the year. Writing down your goals and sharing with others is a great way to keep each other motivated. A New Year’s Resolution Run can become an annual tradition, offering a consistent reminder of the power of community, movement, and a fresh start. It’s a simple but powerful way to begin the year with positivity and purpose, setting the stage for success in both running and life.
Holiday running traditions are about more than just fitness, they’re a way to connect, create joy, and celebrate the season with the people who matter most. Incorporating holiday themed runs, documenting your experiences, and motivating each other through resolutions is a fantastic way to blend fitness with family and friends. Prioritizing loved ones around the holiday season is important, but don’t forget to prioritize your health too. This year, lace up your shoes, gather your loved ones, and hit the road or trail to make memories that will last for years to come.
