disclaimer: These are written by runners, for runners and are meant to be FUN and sometimes FUNNY. We are not liable for bad races, poor workouts, injuries, bad coaches, etc, but we will happily take credit for your good races:)
DECEMBER RUNNING HOROSCOPE: We enter December with Mercury still in retrograde through Dec. 13. So don’t fear if the first 2 weeks of the month have you feeling less then energized because EVERYONE is feeling it. The pace will quicken for all after Dec. 13. (December races: Too many to name, from Jingle Bell Runs to Reindeer Romps, there is a race out there for everyone!)
SAGITTARIUS November 23-December 22
You need to go with the flow this month in your racing and training (especially the first 2 weeks when Mercury is still in retrograde), and stop being so impatient when things do not go as planned. It is okay if your training is moving along a little slower than you want. It is okay if you need an extra rest day between workouts, or you need to cut a few miles off your planned run. It is okay if you were not able to stick to your diet one day, and it is okay if the weather does not cooperate. Be ready to take things as they come. The worst thing you can do during the retrograde is force the body to do something it is not prepared, nor wanting to do. Just ride out that retrograde through Dec 13, and the pace will quicken again, you’ll welcome back your old optimistic self and you will be back to chasing those goals. One tip: Don’t make any major decisions regarding your training or racing schedule until after Dec. 13.
CAPRICORN December 23-January 20
December is the time for you to step back and catch your breath, and when 2012 rolls around you will be feeling better than you have in years. Taking it easy this month can lead to big payoffs in the form of PR’s and fast workouts in the coming year. On December 10 there is a total eclipse of the moon bringing uncertainty and fatigue to everyone (also Mercury is in retrograde during that time, making these feelings even more exaggerated) so even though you are not as affected as most other signs, you still may have a small injury or illness pop up. Best way to avoid this: Don’t train beyond your limits this month or you will end up hurt or with a bad case of the flu! Some of you may have a big race coming up in January (Olympic Trials Marathon anyone??), and right now you are doing everything you possibly can to make sure you are prepared. Just don’t try and cram in any last minute training, and if you do get sick, take a few days off. 26.2 miles is a long ways to run with flat legs and a lingering illness. Get some rest now, so you enter your January race (whatever the distance) with fresh legs. One last thing, someone related to your running (teammate, coach, running partner, motivator, hype man, etc) will be moving on this month. This may have you feeling down for a few days, but in the end it will be a positive thing for all involved.
AQUARIUS January 21-February 19
What a difference a month can make. Last month you were full of self-doubt and self-pity, and now December has you feeling confident and ready to tackle the roads, trails and track. Every astrological sign will feel a little sluggish the first 2 weeks of the month and you are no exception. But after that your energy levels will really pick up! In order for you to train and race your best heading into 2012, you need to do the following this month: 1-Put your heart and soul into your training. This doesn’t just mean to work hard, this means to really ‘live’ your goals, ‘believe’ in your goals with your whole body and mind. Be present in all your training. 2-Don’t be afraid to take risks. Playing it safe leads to insecurities, which leads to unfulfilled goals. 3-Have fun with your training. An Aquarius that is having fun is an Aquarius that is hard to beat!
PISCES February 20-March 20
You are constantly searching for tangible results to your hard training, and you often feel that your races do not really represent the hard work you have put in. That is all about to change starting in December. You will finally start seeing the results you’ve been looking for. If you are a collegiate or high school runner, or professional track star, the indoor track season will be an exciting time of the year for you. You are ready to be competitive and leave it all on the track. You just have to make sure you keep yourself healthy over the holidays. Eat well, get lots of rest, and commit to your workouts. You have to do the work to reap the rewards. For road racers and recreational runners, there are road races every weekend, select the race that best suits your training and get out there and set a PR. There are plenty of runners out there that do not like to race, so if racing is not your thing, now is still a great time to enjoy the runs. Who doesn’t like running when you feel good? It is a fun time to be a Pisces runner!
ARIES March 21-April 20
November brought you some much needed downtime, and you should carry this downtime into the first two weeks of December (Mercury is in retrograde through Dec 13 so take it easy till then). After December 13, you can start to amp up your training again. Your body will finally be able to respond to and absorb the training (downtime can do some amazing things for the body), setting you up for a great Spring racing season. But you need to be patient in order to reap the rewards. Don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on your own training and goals, and follow your own unique path to reaching them. If your goal is a big race in February, don’t get discouraged if a race in December does not go as planned.
TAURUS April 21-May 21
December is a very balanced time for you, which will allow you to really enjoy your training this month. There will be an extra bounce to your step and your energy levels will increase with each passing week. For the first time, you can see that it is a straight shot to your ultimate running goal whether it be a PR, a qualifier, weight loss, or whatever running goal you have (just don’t get distracted along the way). After December 13, you should look at adding a new complementary element to your training (yoga, pilates, join a new gym or running group, etc).
GEMINI May 21-June 22
The first two weeks of December will have you feeling overwhelmed in both your personal and professional life, leaving little time for you to focus on your training. Blame it on the end of the year deadlines! The key to surviving this trying time, while still maintaining and building your fitness, is to adopt the method of quality over quantity for the first few weeks of the month. If you have 20-30 minutes to run or workout, make it count. Add some 1 minute pickups in the middle of your run, or turn it into a 15-20 minute tempo run. Guaranteed, your mind will be so focused on the run and maintaining pace that you will not be worrying about anything else. And you will feel good about putting some hard work in! Don’t fall into the mileage trap or there is a good chance you will start 2012 with an injury or illness.
CANCER June 22-July 23
December is all about the details! In order for your training and racing to stay on track, you need to really focus on getting enough rest, you need to eat well, and you need to keep your stress levels low. And please make the time to stretch this month! Your run does not end when you stop the watch. You are getting into great running shape, and your body is on the verge of either doing something great or it is about to suffer a physical breakdown in the form of fatigue or injury. You have to understand that running is a lifestyle. You have to adopt healthy lifestyle choices that support your running in order to be successful. For super fast Cancer runners with big races coming up, you are not immune to the pitfalls either. The fine details are even more important to you in December.
LEO July 24-August 23
Mercury in retrograde has you feeling a little lazy these first 2 weeks of December, making it hard to get out the door. You may need some extra coffee or sugar to get you ready to workout! Once at the workout, you’ll be ready to go and ready to put in the hard work. Don’t let the ego convince you to take a short cut this month. There are no short cuts to reaching your goals, and something that may seem like a no-brainer shortcut, could actually have disastrous consquences (be careful of fad diets and of research studies-always look at who funded the study). After Dec 21, you will start feeling energized again, and this boost of energy will take you into 2012 (perfect timing if you have an indoor track meet or road race planned for January).
VIRGO August 24-September 23
You have fiery energy this much, and this will really uplift your racing and training. Virgos have a tendency to worry about what everyone else is doing. Don’t fall into that trap. Focus on your own training. Channel all of that energy into what you are doing, and into how you can become the best runner you can be! Later in the month you may be forced to defend your running goals and plans to someone that claims to have your best interest at hand. Only you know what’s best for you, and luckily you have the confidence to stand your ground this month.
LIBRA September 24-October 23
Support for your running and racing endeavors will come from everywhere this month. There are a lot of people behind the scenes that want to see you do well, and you will be afforded opportunities and visibility a lot of other runners do not get. Nothing lasts forever, so take advantage of this positive time and use it for good. You are in a unique position to really inspire other runners around you with your hard work ethic, your dedication, and your motivation. Successful running requires both mental and physical well being. Physically, Mercury in retrograde will have you feeling a little fatigued the first 2 weeks of December, but after the 13, you will be back in the swing of things. Mentally, you have clarity of mind, making it a great time to plan out how you are going to reach your goals.
SCORPIO October 24-November 22
2011 has been a painful lesson on patience, and your patience is finally starting to pay off. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together, and the things that were holding you back in 2011 are now either out of the picture or are almost gone. You’ve taken back the reins of your running, and the passion you bring to your training and racing will lead you to attain the success that has been missing. This month, you need to reinforce any weak spots in your training and health, so that when you start hard changing into 2012, you will be sound and have a solid foundation. Notable Scorpio Runner: Anthony Famiglietti
