Let’s be honest…
December is the month where running feels just a little bit harder.
Dark mornings.
Cold air.
Busy schedules.
Christmas drinks.
Travel.
Family time.
It’s no wonder so many women lose their routine around this time… or feel guilty that everything suddenly feels heavier.
But here’s the truth I always share with the women I coach:
👉 December isn’t about perfect running. It’s about supportive running.
Movement that helps your mood, not overwhelms you.
Short, easy miles that keep your body ticking and your mind calm.
And I’ll be honest with you — I’ve been running less recently myself.
A warm gym and swimming pool have felt a LOT more appealing.
But every time I get outside with a friend, the cold air hits my face and I remember how good it feels.
The hardest part?
Looking out the window.
Not the actual run.
So today, I want to share the mindset shifts + practical tips that make December running feel doable, enjoyable… and even a little magical.
1. You Don’t Need “Perfect” — You Need “Consistent Enough”
This is my biggest December message.
Your body doesn’t need hard speed sessions or long runs right now.
It just needs continuity.
A simple rule I follow (and recommend to retreat ladies):
👉 20 minutes counts. Always.
Even in triathlon season, 90% of my running is Zone 2.
Soft, steady, easy miles that feel GOOD.
And guess what?
Those gentle miles are exactly what builds the base that makes spring running feel effortless — especially if you’re joining me in Tuscany in April or October 2025.
2. Pair Your Run With Something You Look Forward To
A huge December secret?
The run doesn’t motivate you.
The reward does.
Here’s what works for me:
✨ Upbeat, happy music the moment I step outside
✨ Meeting a friend — because accountability always wins
✨ Knowing I’ll come home to warm porridge, soup, or a cosy cuppa
✨ And yes… opening my Christmas advent chocolate afterwards
When your brain associates running with comfort, warmth, connection, and joy — it’s SO much easier to get out the door.
3. Make the Cold Mornings Kinder
Getting ready in December can feel like a battle.
But a few small rituals make it much softer:
- Warm your running clothes on the radiator (truly life-changing)
- Lay everything out the night before
- Avoid overdressing — you should feel chilly for the first 10 minutes
- Use a chest torch if it’s dark (my favourite — so comfy!)
- Do a good warm up & start slow so your body warms up gradually and avoid injuries.
Honestly, December running isn’t about the run — it’s about making the start feel gentle and achievable.
4. If You’re Travelling… Let Running Be Part of the Adventure
I’m heading back to Oxford soon — my hometown — and I can’t WAIT to run along my old canal again.
Crispy mornings, the grass sparkly white with frost… it’s honestly magic.
I’ll also be meeting up with some of the Tuscany Run Retreat ladies who live nearby, which makes it even more special.
If you’re travelling over the holidays:
👉 Pack your shoes
👉 Keep runs short
👉 Explore your favourite paths
👉 Run with someone local
These are the runs you remember.
5. December Running Sets You Up Beautifully for Spring
This is the part most women don’t realise:
✨ December consistency is what makes January feel doable
✨ January makes February stronger
✨ And by March/April, you feel confident, fit, and excited — not stressed
Which is exactly what I want for the women joining the April 2025 Tuscany Run Retreat and the new October 2025 Retreat.
You don’t need to be fast.
You don’t need to be doing long distances.
You just need to keep the habit alive through winter.
That’s where the magic happens.
Final Thought: December Running Isn’t About Discipline — It’s About Kindness
Kindness to your body, your mind, your time, your energy.
Movement that supports your mental health, not drains it.
Running that feels like freedom, not obligation.
If your goal this December is simply:
✨ “I want to feel better after my run than before it…”
…then you’re doing it right.
And trust me — the version of you who runs through winter, even gently, even imperfectly, is the version who arrives in Tuscany feeling strong, confident, and proud.
