As we close out this wild, wild year, I’m reminded of how fortunate we all are to have running as an outlet for our stress and anxiety right now. Hitting the open road (or trail, or treadmill) gives us time and space to collect our thoughts, without all the noise and interference of social media and news channels. It has the unique ability to calm our minds and our bodies when we need it most.
For some of us, running requires a bit more planning than usual this time of year. You’ve got to break out your winter gear—long pants, gloves, beanies, windbreakers, warm socks, even extra traction for your shoes on icy roads—and layer up before you head out the door. But no matter where you are around the world, or what temperatures and weather conditions you’re dealing with, taking those necessary steps to prioritize your training is always, always worth it.
To be honest, I’m not a New Year’s Resolution person. I firmly believe we should be setting goals and making good, healthy choices for ourselves throughout the year.
So don’t wait until the end of the month—go ahead and set your goals for 2021 now, if you haven’t already. The AbbottWMM Global Run Club is providing fun running challenges for its members throughout the year to help guide your training and keep your motivation up so look out for new offerings in the club coming soon.
As we think about setting new goals and starting fresh in the new year, it’s a good opportunity to revisit the basics. Now’s the perfect time to look at your running form and learn how to optimize it for efficiency and injury-prevention purposes.
Before we begin, remember that we are not robots. Each one of us has a unique running style. The key is finding what works best for you – and running with it for as long as possible.