What I Wore (On My Run)

Over the next couple months I have the privilege of traveling to Florida, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Oregon. While each trip varies in length and purpose, one of the first things that crosses my mind as I prepare for travel is: will I get to run? 

As someone who loves to travel, I am accustomed to being away from home; however, this enjoyment is not free from anxiety regarding how I will maintain my training. Although I used to struggle with how to pack and navigate an unpredictable routine, I can now travel with confidence knowing my running will occur without undue stress.   

When it comes to travel, destination, purpose and length of the trip largely dictate whether running will be an issue. For many, time away is the perfect opportunity for a break in training, but for those who travel on a normal basis, travel can pose a significant barrier to regular running. Many factors can impact training, but lack of preparation should not be one of them. Successful running while traveling begins with a well-planned suitcase; here is how I approach packing:

Packing Guidelines: 

• The length of a trip and the weather should dictate how many pieces of running apparel you need. Calculate the maximum number of runs you will complete and bring one to two fewer outfits than that number to encourage re-wearing clothing.
• Pack your running apparel as complete outfits: top, bottom, socks, bra, etc. This will help avoid overpacking through simply making piles of your favorite shirts and shorts.
• In cool weather emphasize base layers and pack fewer outer pieces as you will be be able to re-wear these everyday if necessary. 

Packing Checklist: 

1. Shoes: Always wear your running shoes or pack them in your carry-on luggage. In the case of lost luggage you will be thankful to have your shoes! While ideally running shoes are strictly for running, while traveling do not be afraid to use them as your all-around hiking/walking shoe in order to maximize luggage space. 
2. Tops: Moisture-wicking shirts are ideal for travel as they dry quickly, enabling you to wash them in the shower after a run and re-wear them. Even if you typically go shirtless be sure to pack at least one shirt as you may have a business colleague request to join for a run or find it necessary to use a hotel fitness room.
3. Bottoms: Moisture-wicking shorts/tights are ideal for wearing and rinsing, however, they seem to retain more scent than shirts. To combat this, while I usually rely on the liner, I opt to wear underwear to keep my shorts more fresh over a couple runs. Also, consider bringing bottoms (or tops) with adequate pocket space for storing a hotel room card if necessary. 
4. Basics: Do not forget to pack socks and sports bras. It is easy to forget these necessities. When in doubt, bring extra socks, you will never regret having too many!
5. Safety: If you are running alone, consider carrying a form of identification, such as a Road ID. For any night or early morning runs, do not neglect to bring highly visible apparel pieces. 

When it comes to running while traveling, packing appropriately is the easiest barrier to overcome. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to stay calm about needing to adjust your training routine. While we do not always choose to travel, running in a new environment should not be seen as a point of stress but rather an opportunity to be creative and possibly explore a new area. This may mean using a treadmill or doing laps in the hotel’s neighboring industrial park, but ultimately running is a choice not a requirement.

Aside from packing, one of the best ways to approach running on the road is to evaluate your training schedule ahead of time. If your travel is for a vacation, opt to plan that week as an down week so you do not feel pressure to run. If you are a business traveler, attempt to accomplish your long or intense runs prior to your trip. 

Ultimately, running is an extremely flexible sport that can be accomplished nearly anywhere at any time. As long as you pack appropriately you will be ready to throw on your shoes and run whenever time permits, even if it means skipping family nap time at the hotel. Happy traveling!