Christmas is less than three weeks away – boy that crept up quickly.   I love Christmas.   From the piney smell of Christmas trees to the red cups at Starbucks.   I love when my neighborhood comes alive as lights twinkle on the houses (I even briefly forgive my neighbors that bring blight into our street by keeping their lights up all year long).   I sing Christmas carols and smile at strangers at the mall.

Some people really cut back their training during the winter months.   It’s cold, dark earlier and let’s face it, it’s the holidays and there is too much fun to be had to worry about training.

I tend to stick to a pretty consistent training program all year round.  To slack off for one week or more leads to inertia and makes it harder to get my buns out of bed for my run, boot camp or the gym.  Besides, as much as I love my family – I need a break and exercise provides that special “me” time that everyone from Oprah to Dr. Phil to Deepak Chopra is always nattering on about.

So take some well-deserved “me” time this holiday season and get outside for a run or a walk.  Enjoy the holiday lights, breathe in the piney smell of Christmas trees, the waft of a Double Peppermint Mocha as you run past your local Starbucks.   Smile at your neighbors who are bundled up like Nanook of the North as you zip past them listening to Deck the Halls on your Ipod.

Run strong and remember to have fun.

Keli