Have your cookies and eat them too!

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The stores are packed with last-minute shoppers, the smell of freshly-baked cookies wafts through the house, and a fresh coating of the white stuff covers your favorite trail. Yup, we’re smack-dab in the middle of holiday season. We all know that running is a good form of stress relief and of course it allows you to have that extra slice of pie without feeling too guilty, but I’m sure you’ve heard that all before. Most importantly, the holidays are a time for enjoying your favorite foods and spending time with friends & family. If you plan things correctly, you can use running to enhance your holiday traditions rather than hinder them.

A few days ago, everyone in my office got together for a gift exchange and buffet of holiday treats. The party started around 4pm and the cookie trays were plentiful. Sounds like fun, right? Well, the only problem was – I had a tempo workout with my track team scheduled a few hours later. I didn’t want to be the Scrooge who nibbled on carrot sticks while everyone else devoured 7-layer magic bars (my favorite!), so I made a game-plan. In lieu of my regular afternoon snack, I selected the 3 best-looking cookies (plus a cup of coffee!) and enjoyed every last bite. While I normally wouldn’t recommend a pre-run snack of cookies, the simple carbs and caffeine really gave me that extra boost of energy for my run. Likewise, the night before my Thanksgiving 9-mile race, I met some friends at a bar. It was one of the only times all year that we were all in the same city, so while the next morning’s race was important to me, a pint with my high school buddies was even more essential. One meal or one bad night of sleep won’t make or break your running performance, it’s what you do day-in and day-out that matters. So the next time you’re offered a pre-run cookie, don’t be afraid to say “yes, please!”

We runners are a pretty healthy bunch. Most of the time we choose whole wheat bread over white, skim milk over milkshakes, and fruit over candy, BUT there’s a time when those simple sugars and extra calories might come in handy. I usually try to limit my Starbucks consumption (it’s expensive and plain coffee is better for you, blah, blah, blah), but after long runs and races I make a special exception. Immediately after cooling-down from a 15K race yesterday morning, I dragged my running buddy to the ‘bucks. I happily ordered my drink with sugar-y gingerbread syrup and 2% milk (so much richer than skim!). Mmm, the simple carbs and protein from the milk were exactly what my muscles ordered. Liquid fuel is even more essential if you’re stomach feels a little off post-run. It’s so important to consume a few hundred calories after a tough run because post-run fuel reduces muscle soreness and replenishes your glycogen stores. The next time you run long or hard in the wintry chill, you can feel good about that hot chocolate you’re craving.

Beyond giving me wiggle room for my favorite treats, running helps me cope with the holidays in other ways. I love my family, but sometimes when I visit them I feel a little claustrophobic.  Rather than telling them point-blank that they’re driving me crazy and I need to get away right.this.second, I just mention that I have an long run on the schedule. These legs won’t train for a marathon themselves, Grandma…. After an hour or two on the roads with nothing but Lady Gaga and Britney Spears to keep me company, I return home feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the day may bring. Even if you can’t manage a long run, a speedy 20 minute jaunt might be all that’s needed to prevent a melt-down when your well-meaning Aunt inquires about your love life (for the eighteenth time). In short, don’t feel bad if you’re running less mileage (and eating more sweets) this time of year – it’s all about doing the best you can, with the time you’ve got. Besides, what good are New Year’s resolutions if haven’t fallen off the wagon?