Summer Vacation Running

How much should you run while you're away?

Jul 26, 2024

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 hardcore - getting in all my runs + way, way more. I always felt there was more time to work out and more new places to explore, so I did. Usually I ended up running more than usual, doing more strength training than usual, and more importantly, not taking care of myself as carefully as I would if I was at home.

In the end, I would over do it and lo and behold, I’d end up injured.

I vow to be different this summer! I am not going to swing the pendulum all the way to the other end of the spectrum, but I do plan on getting some workouts in while we’re away. I just can’t help myself.

Goal for the time we’re away: focus on relaxation (I struggle with this), being a really good dad (I struggle with this) and staying off my devices (I struggle with this).

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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 is far surpasses the ROI in my case. The go, go, going of a Pelerin vacation while also getting in tons of miles is a recipe for an injury. No thanks.

Planning Ahead

When I was coaching for my school, I’d always ask the kids whether 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 kids who were motivated did and the ones who were just “having fun” with the sport didn’t, but 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, getting something in is always better than 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. The one or two weeks you are away won’t be a deal breaker if you don’t get every single workout in.

Being patient and kind to yourself with 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 and sometimes running at inopportune times has alleviated some of the pain points of having two partners both want to get runs in.

Balance

Believe it or not, there is a thing to be said about being a balanced person. I wouldn’t necessarily know what that looks like 🙄, but I hear it is freeing.

I was hoping to find a race prior to leaving so I had a built-in excuse for a rest week, but no races materialized, so the next best thing is to just not be an idiot over vacay. Can I do it? We shall see.

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 and it is NOT a chance to go all-in on Ironman training (which I am definitely not doing).

While I have big goals for the rest of the summer, one of them is being healthy going into the fall so I can’t try and cram training into a week that is supposed to be fun.

Are you ready for a training plan? Send me a message and we can get started.