Why You Should Run on Vacation

We’ve been on Cape Cod, Massachusetts this week, and it’s been amazing.  I took a break from my half marathon training and scheduled a recovery week with no long runs, but I didn’t take a break from running.  I’m not sure I could have.  Sure, running means extra packing and scheduling time away from beach combing and site seeing.  It also gives you the energy and mood boost you need to combat the over-indulgences most of us tend towards on vacation. 

Even if you’re trying to eat healthy on vacation, you’re faced with the challenges of an un-stocked kitchenette or high sodium restaurant foods.  I wasn’t even trying.  I’m here to eat the lobster, and I’m dipping it in butter, too.  I’m on vacation, darn it.  I’m going to have the fish and chips with a glass of Chablis and no apologies.

I skipped the long run this week, and opted for three short recovery runs of three miles each.  No pace goal, no tempo runs, just easy miles where I soaked up the view, smelled the salt air, and loved the fact that I was alive and running.

The best parts of running on vacation:

• Scenic views and new roads to explore
• You can’t avoid the hills because you don’t know where they are
• It motivates you to stay hydrated while you’re on the beach
• It helps you feel good even though you might not be eating as well as you normally do
• It takes extra patience and energy to navigate a family through restaurants and site seeing and un-child-proofed accommodations – take a break, go for a run, get your runner’s high!
• You can get a better feel for the area and maybe even scout out shops or restaurants
• It can get you out of bed early and extend your time enjoying your destination

The worst parts of running on vacation:

• Unfamiliar area – you may want to drive around looking for sidewalks or good breakdown lanes to scout out a running path
• You might enjoy your fried dinner less if you’re worried about your run the next morning (take it easy, run slow, enjoy your miles!)
• Make sure you’re running somewhere safe – especially overseas
• Getting lost! A phone with GPS is really helpful, or a map tucked into a pocket

I loved my vacation runs.  I made them part of my vacation by taking it easy, and I still ended up with the endorphins from running and the energy to enjoy our destination.  So pack your running shoes.  It’s worth it.