Athlete's Foot by Footnote

So Christmas is here and for a change I am actually happy it is! I’m not normally into fictional characters (especially ones that encourage Children to take candy from an overweight stranger) but, I guess anything that will take my mind off this horrible weather is good at the moment.

I always find December to be such a weird month with everyone cramming in office parties, dinners and seasonal celebrations. The temptation to indulge in such activities is too tempting for most as the season of goodwill gives everyone an excuse to ignore all fitness regimes and diets with a ‘get out of jail free card’ that writes “Busy, talk to me in January!”

Please don’t ‘give in’ to the bad weather and office parties! Use this time to plan what you can 'realistically' get out of this month. Here are some tip’s on how to make the most out of your precious time:

1. Arrange to run with a friend. When you've made a fixed time and date for a run, you're more likely to stick to it so as not to let the other person down. Running with someone else does wonders for your motivation.

2. Wake up early and run. Getting out of bed early may not sound like a good idea initially, but a good run first ting will provide you with lots of energy for the day ahead. You'll approach the day with a spring in your step, feeling good about yourself for having done some exercise. Try building up to doing at least 30 minutes three or four times a week.

3. Ditch the car and walk the kids to school. If you do this, you can run back home via a longer route so you're out running for 30 to 40 minutes. If it is too far to walk, why not think about meeting up with another parent at the school gate and going on a run from there together.

4. Use lunch time for running. A run at lunchtime will give you a break from the hassles of work and leave you more refreshed and productive for the afternoon. If you don't have access to a shower and changing facilities at work, perhaps you can come to an arrangement with a local gym or leisure centre. If this isn't feasible, try a brisk walk instead.

5. Run faster for a shorter time. If you are limited for time, you can get more benefit out of your available time by running faster. You'll increase your endurance and strength while saving time. Around 20 minutes at a faster pace will be just as beneficial as 30 or 40 minutes steady paced run.

6. Pack your running kit bag the evening before. Get your gear together the evening before you go to bed, that way it's ready to pick-up and go in the morning.

7. Invest in some home exercise equipment. Remember you don’t have to go out to run; invest in some equipment for the home and work out when you get the opportunity. Even simple and inexpensive equipment like a skipping rope or mini-trampoline will get your heart pumping and your legs moving.

8. Run for home. Why not get dropped off half an hour from home and run the rest of the way? Alternatively, you could get off your public transport a few stops earlier and run the rest of the way home.

9. Enter a Race. There are many small races out there (5k-1/2 marathons). Enter one and use this as a bench mark for how fit/unfit you are before you start to do some serious training!

UK readers check this events diary!

Quiz of the day:

What is the fastest time Santa has run for a marathon?

Paul Simons (Manchester, UK) set the pace with a time of 2:55:50 breaking the record for the fastest marathon dressed as Santa Claus.