Many people have the intentions of working out while on vacation. They make sure they pack their running shoes. They make sure they pack some socks. They make sure they pack a variety of athletic clothes. The only thing they forget to do is actually take these items out of their suitcases and actually use them once they get to their destination.
I'm not saying I have ever in my life actually put my athletic gear to work while on vacation, until this past weekend.
This past weekend I went to a bachelorette party weekend at the beach. I was there Thursday through Sunday, which meant in order to stay on track with my Marathon Training, I had to do a run Thursday as well as Saturday. Thursday was easy enough because I got my workout in early in the morning before I left for the beach. The tricky one was the Saturday long run. I knew I'd be low on energy and that it could be tricky to motivate myself but, I made it work.
Thursday night, we ended up taking it pretty easy and we didn't drink very much. Since I knew I would get plenty of sleep that night, I decided to do my long run Friday instead of Saturday. This worked perfectly because it got the run out of the way. I felt more relaxed because I knew that if I wanted to sleep in Saturday, I'd be able to because I already got my run in for the weekend.
Would it have been okay to skip the run? Definitely. I would have gotten by. But, for me it made me feel a lot better about my training. I was already messing with my body by eating out constantly and drinking alcohol every day. By making sure I got my run in at some point, personally, it made me feel like I didn't stray completely off track and that I'd be able to get right back into the swing of things after vacation was over; the eating habits/lack of hydration would be the only minor setback.
Anyone can find the time on vacation to get a workout in if they really want. For me, it worked quite easily because I enjoy running and I was especially excited to run at the beach. It gave me new scenery to enjoy and it was fun to see all the other runners/dog walkers/etc. up and moving around so early.
Things that can help:
I'm not saying I have ever in my life actually put my athletic gear to work while on vacation, until this past weekend.
This past weekend I went to a bachelorette party weekend at the beach. I was there Thursday through Sunday, which meant in order to stay on track with my Marathon Training, I had to do a run Thursday as well as Saturday. Thursday was easy enough because I got my workout in early in the morning before I left for the beach. The tricky one was the Saturday long run. I knew I'd be low on energy and that it could be tricky to motivate myself but, I made it work.
Thursday night, we ended up taking it pretty easy and we didn't drink very much. Since I knew I would get plenty of sleep that night, I decided to do my long run Friday instead of Saturday. This worked perfectly because it got the run out of the way. I felt more relaxed because I knew that if I wanted to sleep in Saturday, I'd be able to because I already got my run in for the weekend.
Would it have been okay to skip the run? Definitely. I would have gotten by. But, for me it made me feel a lot better about my training. I was already messing with my body by eating out constantly and drinking alcohol every day. By making sure I got my run in at some point, personally, it made me feel like I didn't stray completely off track and that I'd be able to get right back into the swing of things after vacation was over; the eating habits/lack of hydration would be the only minor setback.
Anyone can find the time on vacation to get a workout in if they really want. For me, it worked quite easily because I enjoy running and I was especially excited to run at the beach. It gave me new scenery to enjoy and it was fun to see all the other runners/dog walkers/etc. up and moving around so early.
Things that can help:
- Having people on the vacation that also want to workout (Going with a significant other? Ask them to bring their workout clothes and see if they are willing to workout with you. Going with friends? Try to find another active person in the group and see if they want to workout with you.)
- Having a plan for the trip that allows you to know when to best fit in your workout
- Pick a day/time to get the workout in (Scheduling it in your mind can help make sure you don't keep putting it off)
- Actually enjoying the workout you pick (I like to run, so I did my run this weekend. My friend, Whitney, likes her T25 workout DVD, so she did that this weekend)
- Plan a reward for yourself (I knew I'd have to wake up really early to run in order to beat the heat. So, I told myself I could have a DD Iced Caramel Latte after I'd finished since I don't usually buy myself coffee)