Your last obstacle race is over, your shoes are finally dry and it’s dark before you finish work. Add Christmas parties, family visits and weekends that are already spoken for. Where does OCR fit in?
Maybe there’s time for a run through the woods on Saturday. Maybe all you have midweek is fifteen minutes for a few carries. And maybe you’ll take the holidays off. Here are three example weeks you can dip into, depending on what fits right now.
Week 1 – A trail run and a short strength session
Midweek, take 15 to 20 minutes for two things you do on the course. Grip and carry. If you have a securely fitted pull-up bar, try a few short hangs. You can keep your feet on the floor and put as much weight through your hands as feels comfortable. For the carries, use two loaded shopping bags. Walk a few short stretches and set the bags down between each one.
At the weekend, head out on a familiar forest or park loop. Aim for about half an hour at a pace where you can still chat. Walk the steep or slippery bits. If you can only get out after dark, a well-lit loop close to home works too.
Week 2 – One slot in a busy holiday week
The week is packed. Look for a gap you already have. You might have 20 minutes for an easy run round the block before visiting family. Or your team might be meeting on Sunday and you could join them for the easy part of the session.
If the half hour you’d set aside turns into a walk with the family, that’s a good way to spend the afternoon too. Plan your next run when you know what the following week looks like.
Week 3 – Take a break and ease back in
You’re away, you want a lie-in or you simply fancy a few days off. Leave the running shoes where they are. There’s no need to make up the sessions you missed.
When you’re ready to get going again, pick a short, familiar route. Run easy, walk when you need to and see how you feel afterwards. Save grip work or carries for another day. The run is enough for your first day back.
“With your race bib tucked away, a run through the woods can be just for fun.”
What are you looking forward to in 2027?
Maybe you want to start with friends for the first time. Maybe you fancy a longer course or want to go back to the race you enjoyed most this season. Write down what you’d be excited to do. That gives you a place to start when you look at dates for next year.
At the end of December, we’ll turn that idea into a shortlist. Our next magazine article will show you how to pick a race and leave time for training, travel and a few free weekends.