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Stop Starting Over: How to Build a Running Habit That Survives the Holidays
- Kate Mihevc Edwards PT, DPT
- Dec 7, 2025
- 3 min read
If the holidays have a way of derailing your running routine, you’re not alone.
Schedules shift. Daylight disappears. The weather turns cold. Suddenly you’re traveling, navigating social events, or juggling family and work in ways that make sticking to a plan feel next to impossible.
But you don’t need to start over in January. You just need a plan that fits into real life. One that doesn’t fall apart the moment things get busy.
Why Consistency Feels So Hard This Time of Year
It’s not just you, staying consistent in the winter is hard. The holidays throw off your schedule. It’s cold, dark, and you’re pulled in ten different directions. And for a lot of runners, especially those newer to the sport or coming back from a break, even one missed workout can make it feel like the whole plan’s falling apart.
But missing a day or two doesn’t mean you’re off track. The real challenge is letting go of the “all or nothing” mindset and learning how to keep showing up imperfectly, consistently, and on your terms.
What Actually Builds a Habit That Lasts
We overestimate what we can do in a week and underestimate what we can build in a month. Creating a sustainable running habit means shifting away from “perfect” training and toward repeatable, flexible structure.
Here’s what helps:
✅ Make it easy to start
Run for 10 minutes. Walk-run. Do a 5-minute strength circuit. You’re building the habit of showing up, not chasing perfect mileage.
✅ Prioritize consistency over intensity
It’s not about how hard you train—it's about how often you train. Runners who stay consistent, even with shorter or easier workouts, see better long-term results and fewer injuries.
✅ Set a flexible weekly rhythm
Instead of aiming for 5 days a week (then getting discouraged), try 2–3 runs, one strength session, one recovery-focused day. Shift things as needed, but keep some structure.
✅ Track how it feels
You don’t need to obsess over numbers. Start noticing: how does your body feel? What makes it easier to get out the door? That’s the kind of data that matters most.
What RUNsource Can Do for You
The RUNsource App was built for seasons like this when time is short, stress is high, and consistency feels like a moving target.
Inside RUNsource, you’ll find:
Beginner-friendly 5K, 10k and half marathon programs (including walk-run options)
Short strength workouts that don’t require equipment or a gym
Restorative yoga and mobility flows for recovery days
Guided meditations for motivation, focus, and stress relief
Tools to help you build smart, flexible routines not just one-size-fits-all plans
Answers to your injury questions
Plans to help you move through or prevent injury
Whether you’re starting from scratch or just trying to hold things together through the holidays, RUNsource gives you what you need to stay in motion.
This Isn’t About Willpower, It’s About Momentum
You don’t need a perfect streak. You don’t need to run every day. You don’t need to “start over” just because one week didn’t go to plan.
The goal is to keep some rhythm going even when everything else feels like chaos. And when January comes around? You’ll already be in motion.
This season, stop starting over. Start building something that fits your life. That supports your goals without overwhelming your schedule.
Small workouts count. Walks count. Recovery counts. Momentum matters more than motivation.
And if you want help building that momentum, download the RUNsource App. Let it help you stay strong, steady, and just consistent enough to feel like a runner, because you are.
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