It's vacation time! This moment long awaited by thousands of Quebecers. Construction holidays or just holidays, we take full advantage of it to finally relax. At least I wish you so! In fact, there are those who rest and those who do the opposite ... let's put it like that. The to-do list activities with family and friends is done, it only remains to go through it like a plan. running.
However, running on vacation doesn't always fit into the schedule. We let ourselves be carried away by spontaneity, last-minute plans, late mornings or evenings that go well beyond the usual bedtime. So the laborious interval sessions or loooong outings are postponed, shortened, modified or even canceled. Not always easy, I agree. There is absolutely no need to feel guilty either. You are not paid to run 😉. However, in order to keep its volume in line with your goal, here are some ideas for running outings that don't require a watch, can be done wherever you are on vacation, even if it's in your backyard. , and which will undoubtedly break the routine.
All the rides presented below are based on the Fartlek principle. The biggest advantage is that they can be done on any type of terrain in addition to being more mentally relaxing (remember that we are on vacation).
[Fartlek : Developed by a Swede, this speed game consists of alternating between periods of fast running and periods of slow running, without a well-defined structure unlike interval sessions.]
Outing # 1: Colors
The goal is simply to get quickly (racing you will guess) to an object of a specific color. For example, you run quietly for the time it tells you, then you choose a color (say yellow) and you run quickly to the first object of that color (a parked car or even some sign). If there are two of you it's even better, you take turns choosing the next color.
Exit # 2: The Hydro Poles
For a little more structure, you can opt to alternate between a medium-high pace fast and a medium-high pace between the Hydro-Quebec poles (or X poles) located on the side of the road. For example, medium-high pace to get the moment to get to the next post, then medium-high pace fast the instant of 2 posts.
Outing # 3: To the rhythm of the music
Maybe several runners will recognize each other: some songs make us run faster. Prepare yourself a playlist the exact duration of your outing and then follow the pace of it. The trick is to alternate with the genre of music and the melodies. For example, Holding Out for a Hero of Bonnie Tyler to run "pamal" quickly followed by Time after Time of Cyndi Lauper to recover.
Exit # 4: A little D +
The same principle can also apply in a hill. You just have to choose one, then mount it repeatedly with different speeds or, if it seems interminable, opt for different distances on the same hill. Always recover on descents. Personally, I love this last option as a finisher
Of course, every outing, even if it's of Fartlek, should start with a warm-up and end with a cool down. We keep our good habits! Let your creativity run wild, running isn't all about stats (fortunately). To run is to run. One foot in front of the other until your endorphins are overflowing!
Beautiful outings worthy of the holidays, no?
Have a good race and above all, have a good holiday!
Very good ideas! Thank you 😊
Great ideas, because yes sometimes the holidays shift the agendas a bit 🙂 thank you!