Holidays

Holidays are always the one time you are allowed to completely relax. But what does this mean to you? To me, this means, chilling, going to nice cafes, going to the beach, but most importantly, still getting all my training done. Of course, I train on holiday, running is something I want to pursue into the future, not simply a healthy lifestyle choice for me. Most people’s response to this is, why do you still train on holiday?

That is because, firstly, I enjoy running and training, therefore it does not seem like a chore to me. On holiday, you want to do what makes you relaxed and calm, and that is how running and training makes me feel. And secondly, because, if you want to be a successful athlete you can’t pick and choose when you train. Yes, every athlete does need a few weeks off for some down time, but every time you go away or have something planned, you can’t just simply skip training. In order to pursue your ambitions in athletics, you need to organise training around your day, or vice versa, but it does need to be included.

For instance, if you have planned to go out for the day, get up early and get your run done, this way it doesn’t matter if you get way laid or end up going out till late, it’s done. This is also something to be done by those of you who struggle with motivation. If you go out and run as soon as you wake up, you have little time to dwell over it. You just have to get up and go, then it’s done! That way, no matter how tired you feel by the end of a long day, you managed to fit your training in. This also ensures you use your body before all your energy has been drained at the end of the day.

Holidays are great for getting up and enjoying a lovely sunny (hopefully) run along the beach or exploring your surrounding area. If you are visiting somewhere hot, it also means you avoid the heat by running at the coolest time of the day.

If you are someone who tends to struggle running on empty, simply have a banana or small yogurt as soon as you wake up to give you that little boost of energy for your run. It is enough to settle your hunger cravings, but not too much to sit in your stomach and give you stomach discomfort.

Whilst you don’t have to run whilst on holiday, and it is important to have some down time, if running is something you take seriously, or enjoy doing, you have to learn to incorporate training wherever you go, and learn to work with what you’ve got. Whether it be beaches, water (for aqua jogging), hills, tracks, or roads. Enjoy it and go explore!

I am going on holiday this summer and I will be making the most of the sea by doing all my aqua jogging in it instead of a pool, and I will be running on the beach to give my bones a soft ground to run on. Also, if you can, take some weights with you so you get some all-important strength training in. On holiday you have time, use it constructively and wisely.