Running at Christmas (Lower Expectations, Higher Kindness)

Christmas has a funny way of rearranging life.

Suddenly:

• Days lose their names

• Your alarm clock becomes a suggestion

• Every surface contains snacks

And if you run, you may find yourself asking very seasonal questions like:

• Should I go for a run… or should I have another mince pie first?

• If I wear a Santa hat, does that make this a festive effort?

• Does walking to the shop count if I wear my running shoes?

(Yes. Obviously.)

The Christmas version of running looks… different

At this time of year, running rarely looks like the plan.

Runs move around.
Distances shrink.
Pace becomes “festive”.

One week you’re feeling smug and organised.
The next, you’re standing in the kitchen in leggings, negotiating with yourself about a 20-minute jog while eating a Quality Street.

This is not a personal failing.

This is December.

Some important festive truths

Let’s clear a few things up:

You do not lose fitness because you ate roast potatoes.
You do not become undisciplined because you ran twice instead of four times.
You do not need to “burn off” anything (especially joy).

Running isn’t a moral contract.

It’s a relationship — and even good relationships have weeks where you mostly text.

What BraveKind running looks like in December

At BraveKind, Christmas running comes with flexible rules:

• Short runs still count.

• Walking absolutely counts.

• Running at a pace where you can think about Christmas dinner is encouraged.

If running steadies you, brilliant — go out.

If rest steadies you more, that’s training too.

The goal isn’t progress.

It’s continuity.

And continuity at Christmas sometimes looks like just enough.

A final festive reminder

If your running looks messy right now — that’s okay.
If it slips for a few days — it hasn’t gone forever.

Running will still be there.
So will your body.

And when you’re ready, you’ll begin again — without pressure or guilt, and in your own time.

— Tim