It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:
Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life
Today’s topic is: Running on Vacation
And my answer is OF COURSE!!
Some folks may go on vacation for a break in their training cycle or just to run a race. Some may only run during vacation because they are training for a big race and it’s on their plan.
I ALWAYS make sure I run when I am on vacation. It’s kinda a priority for me. I would have fun if I didn’t run but running makes it an even better vacation for me.
In this post I’ll talk about my last vacation – my annual TENNIS vacation in Naples Florida.
The schedule was that every morning we play doubles for 1.5 hours and then have a tennis lesson for 1.5 hours or vice versa.
Did I run?
Yes! I made it a priority to do so.
In order to run, I might skip part of the doubles play and run. After my run, I would change my clothes and join them to play. After playing we would have our lesson.
After the first 2 days, I realized that it was faster to run in my tennis clothes and have someone bring my racket & shoes to the court. I would do that sometimes or just play tennis in my running clothes.
Did I run often?
Yes! 6 times.
- Friday before tennis- 3.5 miles
- Saturday before tennis – 3 miles
- Sunday – 5k race
- Monday before tennis – 3 miles
- Tuesday before tennis – 3 miles
- Wednesday before tennis – 6.5K (My birthday run)
I did not run on the day we arrived or the day we left.
in Naples, FL
Were they good runs?
Nope. None were.
It was very humid on the first few runs and of course, much warmer than I was used to. Then it got even warmer. It was tough to breathe and run. My running got to be walking/running and slower and slower.
I also found for the first time that I was missing tennis. Everyone else was playing tennis. I wanted to be with them And I wanted to be warmed up before our lesson.
In past years, I just ran fewer miles. This year I either started out running earlier or if it wasn’t a lesson, I arrived at tennis later (and rotated into the doubles).
Did I enjoy my runs?
Yes. Immensely.
I loved the scenery – the trees, flowers,etc. I loved the sunshine and even the heat.
During each run I took a different route. I ran around the neighborhoods of World Tennis Center (WTC). I ran around the pool area and tennis courts. I ran outside the WTC along the main road in one direction and then another day in the other direction.
What will I do differently next year?
I could get up earlier. But it’s hard when you go out to dinner late and you are hanging out with friends after that.
I could run every other day. But you never know in Florida when it will rain. You have to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
I could just play tennis but I would have been upset with myself for NOT running.
I could run after tennis but I know I would have been too tired and would be making others wait for me to go to the beach.
So next year, I will probably do nothing different from this year.
Views from my Naples runs:
one of the bridges along the main road
path at WTC to the tennis courts
another bridge on the main road
in WTC
our villa in WTC
one more bridge along the main road
the main road in the other direction
more views of WTC
thought the SLOW sign was meaningful
Suggestions for running on vacation:
- Be prepared. Bring clothes for all weather conditions.
- Schedule your runs. If you leave it to chance, it won’t happen.
- Be flexible. Sometimes other persons’ needs or desires will come before your running.
- Find a scenic route. Pretty views make all the difference.
- Lower your expectations. Distance & speed goals will probably not happen.
- Register for a race in the area, if possible. Then you will definitely run.
- Have fun.
vacation 5k
I’m also linking this post with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.
Happy Running! Do you always run on vacation? Would you run on vacation even if it weren’t part of your training plan?
My First 5K and More... 
Pingback: TOTR: Running on Vacation – travellingcari.com
My half-written answer just turned into a blog post of my own. I’m curious whether you’d ever explore the balance between vacation & your work travel and how you stay in routine on the latter.
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That is a great question.
Sometimes I try to pretend that work is vacation and use it as an opportunity to run in a new place. I try to make running happen no matter how tired I am. I find that after a run, I am less tired. The hard part is committing to start. Sometimes it is easier when I work because I am alone. On vacation, there is so much else to do and sometimes it hard to make running happen especially if you are on vacation with family and friends who do not run. Often means I run early when they are asleep.
It’s not easy sometimes and you have to let go of distance, paces and miles completed. You just do your best to stay active.
That’s the short version.
Here’s a post about my working and running – https://wp.me/pel7R-96b
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Looks like a great time! I’m such an early-riser (and don’t seem to need as much sleep as most do LOL), I’d just simply get up earlier 😉
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It’s not hard when it is warm out like in Fla but during the winter in the NE. Ugh.
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I love Naples and your tennis vacay sounds really fun. I too always run while on vacay. I love to.
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It makes a great vacation even better.
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I love the Gulf Coast! I always pack my running shoes when I travel. It’s fun to explore new places.
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I love the Gulf too,
Unfortunately I have more friends on the East coast.
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You have logged some fantastic vacation miles. I love to run while on vacation and also try to find some other new fitness classes or activities to test out.
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I need to branch out more. I want to try kayaking and SUP while on a vacation.
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It is tough running in FL in the summer! I think I would do the same as you – short run, then play tennis. One of the things I love about running on vacation is exploring new routes. We are going to CO to visit my son and his family next week. I love running there. It is beautiful. The only downside is that there is no oxygen in the air! 🙂
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Have fun. I visited Denver a few years ago. It was tough running in the altitude but the views and scenery made up for it.
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Sounds like a super fun vacation! Sometimes I don’t always run on vacation, but i like to find ways to stay active – biking, hiking, walking, etc. I always feel better when i can at least workout for 30 mins.
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Anything active makes for a better vacation in my book.
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I love running on vacation! I always use vacation runs for some nice slow runs. I want to soak up all the new scenery and stop for pictures.
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We agree totally.
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Your vaca sounds like so much fun! I don’t imagine I would run nearly as much as you in the same situation. 🙂 You’re much more dedicated to running when you travel than I am!
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I’m not sure about dedicated. But it’s nice to not have a work schedule and run at leisure. I try to take advantage of the sunshine too.
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I enjoy running different routes so while I don’t vacation much – if I did I would definitely run. I admire your dedication to running, no matter where you are or what you’re doing you always make running a priority!
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I try. I doesn’t always happen and the weather is more of a factor than time. I don’t use a treadmill so when it rains several days in a row (like is predicted next week), I’m screwed.
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Well you do awesome!
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Thanks.
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Great minds do think alike! Running is a huge part of my life, it feels weird NOT to run just because I’m on vacation! I actually didn’t run at all when we were in Boston and I was very bummed about that. I had my stuff with me but the priority was Ron’s race so it didn’t happen. Most of my vacations these days are race centered so it’s a no brained 😊
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I get it. Boston is a big deal!!! And besides my tennis vacay, all other times seem to be for a race.
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