Travel Hacks For Runners
Whether you are a regular recreational runner or have a race or event coming up, an overseas trip or holiday has the potential to scupper your training plans. But instead of letting it all go in favor of a beach lounger and a mojito, you can work in your running to your holiday plan. With the right kit, running shoes and motivation, you can keep on top of your running goals abroad while having the best holiday time. We take a look at the best travel hacks for runners to keep you totally on track.
1. Get A Long Run In BEFORE You Travel
Get a head start to your holiday running ambitions by getting in a good long run before you travel. Especially if you’re on a competition or charity race training plan, this way you can keep a level of consistency without putting too much pressure on your time away.
Getting those distance miles under your belt before a short(ish) break means that you can then slot in shorter ‘maintenance’ runs while you are away without eating into your holiday time or undoing all your progressive training hard work. Just make sure the travel runs you do keep you ticking over, ready to pick up the full-on training baton when you’re back on home turf.
2. Make Your Shoes Do Double The Work
Pack light by making your running shoes double up as everyday footwear and you will save space in your travel bag. Choose a pair of running shoes that will also go with your evening or day casual look and you can ditch the extra pair. Wear them as you get on the flight and you will also be good to go when you get to your final destination and a quick run to stretch those travel-weary legs! And you also reduce the risk of your essential running footwear going AWOL should your luggage sets get lost en-route.
3. Plan Your Accommodation
If you are pre-planning your hotel accommodation, opt for a hotel with its own gym if you can. It doesn’t need to be an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ facility – a treadmill or cross-training machine will do. This way, even if your travel business itinerary schedule is tight, you can work in an early morning 30-minute session before your day begins. Training inside can also be a good idea if city safety is a concern – just make sure you get a good high-intensity session as you pound the treadmill belt to keep your training on track. If your hotel doesn’t have gym facilities, ask at reception as they may well have deals with local fitness facilities you can make the most of.
4. Pack The Right Running Gear For Your Destination
A little pre-trip planning will go a long way when keeping up your training while traveling. Pack the right running kit to match your destination will mean you are set to go, as soon as you land. Think climate and also local customs and you will have it cracked – you need to ensure you are suitably dressed to deal with the weather or cultural ‘norms’ when taking to the outdoors for your running session. Pack cleverly and your running kit, just like your running shoes, can be used outside of training too.
5. Get Local Help With Your Running Routes
Never be afraid to ask for help! Local intel when it comes to where and when is best (and safe) to run is invaluable when traveling and training. Your first port of call could be your hotel concierge – they can point you in the right direction of the hotel gym or provide you with local maps. Also, ask around for local running clubs – this can be a double training hack as you get insider knowledge of the best running routes and a group of people to enjoy your run with. We say that’s a win/win.
6. Keep It Safe
You want to enjoy your run wherever you are in the world and so keeping safe is key. There are a few hacks you can do to make sure your run is plain sailing. First up, make the most of smart tech and make sure you have enough data for your phone’s GPS, should you need it if you get lost on your route. Also, make sure you have added the emergency number of the country you are in, into your phone. At the least, tell your hotel, accommodation or travel buddy where you are running and how long you will be out for, so the alarm can be raised if you don’t return. Out on the running trail, make sure you have enough water, especially if the climate is a tad on the hot side and tuck a few dollars (or local currency) in your pocket, just in case. And as a final word on safety, don’t push it – if your body is struggling with the conditions or you just don’t feel up to it, call time on your run.
7. Look For Different Ways To Train
Maintaining your running while away or on a business trip doesn’t have to always mean taking to the road in your running shoes, it can be a chance to shake it up. Cross training could well be easier to incorporate in short bursts but totally contributes to your prep for time on the running track. Look at ways you can boost your strength training while out on the road to creative active muscles, work on your cardio and build endurance. And the beauty with mixing it up is with a little imagination, it can be done anywhere. Use the hotel stairs for cardio training, local parks for sprint work and even your hotel room and its furniture for high intensity workouts and bodyweight exercises.
8. And Finally…Be Flexible
As much as you may be on a focused training program to keep your running times or distances on par, sometimes life doesn’t want to play ball. Especially while traveling it is important to keep an open and flexible mind when it comes to your training schedule. You are traveling for fun or business after all. Always allow a little extra time for your running sessions, even if it’s for the odd ‘pitstop’ to enjoy the view. And if time is tight or the location not ideal, go for the split approach – a short period of lighter, shorter, more frequent runs is not going undo your hard work, but will keep the engine ticking while you enjoy your trip, ready for the return to training when you are back home.
Source:
- Benefits Of Running While Traveling, Thrillist
