At last, the warm months are upon us and I couldn’t be happier to grumble about the blazing sun rather than the freezing winds during my jog. The much-anticipated summer season is here. Even if it isn’t quite akin to the tropics, being able to run without winter’s encumbrance is incredibly freeing.
I eagerly anticipate the radiant days ahead and I’ve premeditated my jogging itinerary for the summer. Following a trip with a cohort of runners into the French hilly terrains recently, I am resolved to bypass major roads this summer, instead opting to meander through green pastures and trails in my regional landscape.
What about your summer jogging blueprint, where will it take you?
A fruitful summer –– Perhaps you’ve enrolled for a marathon or you intend to pack your jogging attire for your holiday. It’s entirely alright if you haven’t dedicated time to contemplate your jogging schedule for the summer thus far. It’s possible I might intercept you before you impulsively enlist for a race your colleagues are participating in, without considering if it aligns with your personal goals.
Your most enriching summer of jogging may not necessitate breaking your personal records when it comes to pace or endurance. It could potentially revolve around joyous moments or new found understanding of your physique or even resolving an issue that has been pestering you. It’s wise to utilise the current moment to reflect upon your favourite running spots, preferred distances, and the amount of time you foresee dedicating to jogging in the ensuing months.
Structure for your summer
Summer is generally associated with recreation and open-air activities. While I delight in such leisure, jotting down key events in the calendar provides me with structure and keeps me grounded during the school holidays. An organised routine keeps me committed to my training. In its absence, time just seems to slip away.
Our shared experience of summer seasons indicates that our schedules effortlessly overflow with familial obligations, workloads, and social engagements, as the warmer months unfold. It’s incredibly simple to lose track of the next four months if there’s no organised plan in place. The foundation of our summer jogging endeavour relies on dates we dedicate early in the season. Ensure that your summer doesn’t escape you. Develop a plan.
Reflect on prior experiences for motivation.
If you’re having trouble envisaging your ideal summer of jogging, consider reflecting on past experiences for guidance. Think about what you’ve enjoyed in previous summers. Perhaps adhering to a workout regimen throughout the summer has aided you in cultivating discipline. Conversely, balancing training with children’s summer holidays might be too overwhelming. The summer period could be perfect for you to strive to surpass your long-established personal records or it could be a time to run freely with a stronger emphasis on post-run leisure activities.
There’s no rulebook for summer training, the ultimate goal for the season is one that comfortably fits into your schedule and brings you contentment rather than feeling like an extra burden on your time and energy.
What matters to you?
Come later this summer, my vision is of me running effortlessly with the ambience of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a challenging coastal trail ahead. My focus is not on speed but on building stamina and adaptability on hilly and rugged terrains. This target will guide my training schedule, and I’ve identified a few pivotal race days to help maintain my momentum. This backdrop of training will provide a foundation for me to embrace unexpected opportunities that inevitably come during summer.
Whether your summer running preference is solitary or social, having a robust training base can be beneficial when an uncharted path presents itself. It’s advisable to always keep a set of running clothes handy in the car boot, just in case.
Ease the burden on your weekends
If we postpone our summer runs to weekends, we risk missing out on some fantastic experiences. Weekdays during summer can offer delightful opportunities. Without taking care, weekdays can blend into a monotone cycle of work, domestic chore and plan making for the subsequent day. I urge the members of my running club to disrupt the humdrum of a typical workweek with outdoor activities.
Last week, for instance, we broke the routine with a Monday evening run on the sandy slopes of Dollymount strand in the north of Dublin, concluded by a refreshing flask of tea at sunset. The subsequent day, we had a leisurely walk and engaged in convivial conversation along the breath-taking cobblestone path leading to Poolbeg lighthouse. Adventures shouldn’t be strictly limited to the weekends. More likely, you may find you do not have time for them. Consider planning an occasional excursion on a weekday evening.
Uncertainty of Summer.
While we might be eager to step out into the sunlight and give running an extra push, our performance may not always fulfil our aspirations during summertime. Running can put us to the test in the intense heat and humidity, especially after a long, cold winter. A typical summer in Ireland usually arrives without jolting us too much but, if you are planning a foreign trip, you’ll need to adapt your running routine according to the weather conditions.
It’s indeed possible to draft ambitious plans, but we should avoid taking our running so seriously that we can’t adjust for extreme heat or unexpected events. If necessary, postpone a run or reschedule it for a temperature-friendly time of the day. It’s advisable for anyone training for a major summer event to have an alternative race lined up.
Undeniably, summer stands as the most motivating time of the year, and offers the most varied array of racing events. However, it can also be a hectic period in many people’s lives. If you’re committed to making time for your running this year, jot down your key priorities for the summer. Then, view each training session as a small step towards achieving your aims.
Writing down a commitment often lends it a sense of reality.
This summer, as I run along the breathtaking Atlantic coastline, where will you be enjoying your run? Let’s make it a reality together.
– Mary Jennings is the entrepreneur behind ForgetTheGym.ie. She is commencing her summer running classes in Dublin this week, with locations including Sandymount and Clontarf.
– For beginners, there is an eight-week programme aimed at enabling you to run continuously for 30 minutes.
– The “Stay on Track” scheme is an eight-week course designed for those who manage to fit 30 minutes of running into their weekly schedule.
– The “Advanced” plan offers an eight-week traditional course for those seeking to progress to the 10km mark.