WEEK 2: 'ON TO THE NEW YEAR 2020

A favorite Chicago Magnificent Mile sight. Taken by PKSenagore. 2018. all rights reserved.

NOW THAT YOU STARTED EASING BACK INTO TRAINING the relaxed nature of these plans should be apparent.  The days of preparation between Thanksgiving and the December holidays usually are busy, but this year the rush is complicated by shopping and travel restrictions and earlier shipping deadlines.  

Runners and walkers may be feeling uncharacteristically fatigued from the uncertainty of trying to celebrate traditional days of togetherness as days of separation.  It’s a different hectic experience. Thus, the reasoning behind the low key strategy of these training plans from previous years, on a “keep open” level of intensity, also will work well this year.
 
In medical terms, life-saving fluids or medications might be delivered to a patient through an intravenous (IV) tube or ‘line’ at a rate that is “wide open”, such that the valve regulating fluid flow rate does not obstruct the tube lumen at all.  This high flow rate is used in emergencies. Lower rates of flow can be achieved as well. Once there is no need to deliver meds or fluids intravenously the needle and attached tubing apparatus can be removed. However, because it’s not always easy to re-establish this portal for delivery of IV fluids, one practice is to leave it in for a bit longer, until all possible emergencies have passed. The fluid flow in this time is set at a “keep open” rate, just enough to allow the line to stay open and usable.
 
Thus, these are not ambitious training plans. There’s just enough running or walking to keep you in shape to comfortably run a 5k race again on New Year’s Eve or Day. It’s not designed to help you set a new a PR, but to be able to show up and cross the finish line.
 
If you cannot locate a virtual race to run or walk on these days, remember you can use or request 2020 Earned Runs Bibs for the occasion. Use this training to reaffirm belief in yourself as an athlete; you’ll be proving that you can maintain fitness over the holiday season with a simple commitment to continue working toward participating in a goal race.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!

'On to the New Year 2020 RUN PLAN

'On to the New Year 2020 WALK PLAN
 
Updated December 7, 2020.

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