The year-end holiday and Tet period is when many runners temporarily step away from their training routines after a long and demanding competition season. This break is essential for physical and mental recovery, but if overindulged, returning to training can become difficult, potentially disrupting previously built fitness levels.

Maintaining discipline is especially important when participating in performance-focused races with entry standards, such as the VnExpress Marathon All-Star, which starts on 8/2/2026. Several suitable approaches can help runners stay motivated during this sensitive period.

Runners in Hanoi participate in an early 2025 spring run. Photo: Giang Huy

Runners in Hanoi participate in an early 2025 spring run. Photo: Giang Huy

Reduce intensity, not discipline

Cyclical training models demonstrate that clearly allocating volume and intensity across different phases helps runners maintain better motivation. When a long training cycle concludes, a controlled reduction in intensity allows the body to recover while preserving exercise habits, preventing a complete cessation of activity after a peak period.

For runners aiming for the VnExpress Marathon Volvo All-Star, reducing intensity does not mean abandoning discipline. Maintaining a regular running schedule, even at a light level, helps preserve the body's training rhythm, ensuring that the body and mind do not "disconnect" before a long break.

Maintain a consistent running pace to avoid breaking momentum

Many studies on maintaining running behavior indicate that continuity, rather than volume or speed, is the key factor preventing runners from skipping workouts during sensitive periods. Engaging in two to three light runs each week helps runners preserve their physical foundation, while significantly reducing the time and pressure involved in returning to training after Tet.

Athletes competing in the 2025 VM All-Star season. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Athletes competing in the 2025 VM All-Star season. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

In a selective race like the VnExpress Marathon Volvo All-Star, the ability to maintain a consistent training pace during a "motivation slump" is considered a quiet competitive advantage. Runners should avoid losing what they have built throughout a year of training.

An article on the MarathonGuide specialized page compiles coach recommendations for the holiday season, emphasizing setting achievable and specific goals during the break, such as maintaining a 15-30 minute run three days a week. This approach is more effective for sustaining motivation than setting large goals without a clear implementation plan. This method aligns with behavioral management principles, where small, measurable goals help individuals maintain good habits.

Connect with the community to maintain competitive spirit

Beyond physical factors, mental motivation plays a particularly important role during the year-end period. Many sports psychology studies indicate that maintaining community connection through group runs, clubs, or training tracking platforms helps runners increase commitment and reduce the risk of dropping out.

The community is not only a place to share achievements but also an environment that fosters a serious competitive spirit. Maintaining interaction, training together, and reminding each other to stay disciplined before Tet helps runners remain ready, both physically and mentally, for race day.

Maintain discipline to match an elite playing field

The year-end festive and party season offers a necessary break, but for runners aiming for the All-Star event, it is not the endpoint of their training process. Reducing intensity, maintaining a consistent pace, and sustaining community connection are solutions that help runners navigate this sensitive period proactively.

In a race that emphasizes elite performance, discipline during moments when it is easy to relax is the factor that differentiates recreational runners from high-level athletes.

Lan Anh

VnExpress Marathon All-Star is currently open for registration with two distances: 21km and 42km. Bib prices are 850,000 VND for the 21km distance and 1,150,000 VND for the 42km distance.

For the qualifying category, male athletes must complete 42km in under 4 hours or 21km in under 2 hours; female athletes must complete full marathon in under 5 hours or half marathon in under 2 hours 30 minutes.

Additionally, the organizers offer an experience bib category, limited to 100 slots per distance, with no entry standard requirements. The price for an experience bib is 1,100,000 VND for the 21km distance and 1,500,000 VND for the 42km distance. Registration for this category closes on 9/1/2026. Interested runners can verify their achievements here.