How much should you run (if at all) while you are away?
Summer vacations… The time when a family gets to be together to explore a new place and make lasting memories.
It’s great for making memories, but how is it for getting in your training?
Over the last 3 or 4 summers, I went a little overboard on training. On vacation, I always felt there was more time to work out and more new places to explore.
So I did.
I would run more than normal, lift a bit more than typical, stay up late and generally speaking, not take care of myself.
It was a recipe for disaster. And I didn’t just do it once; I did it more than once!
I vow to be different this summer! While I won’t do absolutely nothing on vacation, I will definitely tone it down a bit.
I just can’t help myself.
My goal for the time we’re away: focus on relaxation, being a present spouse and dad, and staying off my device.
Setting Realistic Goals
Whether you run on vacation or not, that’s up to you and the goals you have set for yourself. Personally, I think working out during a vacation is some of the easiest-to-fit-in miles I do all year.
With no work or set structure to our day, any part of the day is good for a run. But just because you can run, doesn’t mean you need to.
There should be a balance between sticking to your schedule and having time for relaxation.
For me, this go-round, I’m going to be okay with losing fitness 🤯 while away. The risk of injury far surpasses the ROI in my case. The go, go, going of my family vacations, while also getting in lots of miles, sets me up for failure. I’m gonna pass this year.
Planning Ahead
When I was coaching for my school, I’d always ask the kids about their upcoming trip. I wanted to know if they were bringing running shoes with them on vacation. I have never seen so many blank stares in my life as I did after asking that question.
I’m sure the motivated kids did complete their tasks. The ones who were just “having fun” with the sport didn’t. However, planning ahead can help you get your miles in.
Even if you don’t run the same volume or frequency as you might at home, it is always better to get something in. This is preferable to getting nothing in.
Key Workouts
If you have to workout while away, make the key workouts your priority. If the easy days or the recovery days don’t happen, then don’t sweat it. Being away for one or two weeks won’t be a deal breaker. It’s okay if you don’t get every single workout in.
Being patient and kind to yourself will pay off in the long run.
Flexibility & Creativity
At home, we run before the kids wake up. On vacation, all bets are off. Sometimes one of us gets in a morning run while the other has to wait until later in the day. Sometimes that happens on vacation, right?
I’ve found that being flexible helps. Sometimes, running at inopportune times has alleviated some of the pain points. This is especially true when two partners both want to get runs in.
Balance
Believe it or not, there is something to be said about being a balanced person. I wouldn’t necessarily know what that looks like 🙄, but I hear it is freeing.
Listening to Your Body
I’ve been known to “Silenzio Bruno” that voice in my head while I’m away, but not this year. The goal is to have fun and explore new places. It is NOT a chance to go all-in on any kind of formal training.
While I have big goals for the rest of the summer, one of them is being healthy going into the fall. I can’t try and cram training into a week that is supposed to be fun.
Let me know: do you run on vacation? Do you run more than normal? Or less?
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