The Holiday Season can be stressful enough as it is without having to worry about how and when you will be able to get your runs in. After spending the last few weekends traveling, I’ve learned a few things about staying on track while traveling. Let me tell you how to take the worry out of keeping up your running through holiday travel.
Tips To Keep Running Through Holiday Travel
Find a local race
Small towns, big cities almost everyone has a turkey trot or holiday race. Jumping into a small local race is a low stress way to get your miles in.
Join a local running group
Google your town’s local running group and make some new friends.
Hotel Maps
I learned that most of the big hotels have running and walking routes available. Many publish them on their websites so you can have access to them even if you are not staying at the hotel.
A quick Google search of “my city” Running routes will give you great ideas for popular running routes while visiting family or traveling during the holidays.
City Running Tours
City Running Tours offers group and private running excursions in big cities all over the country. Find the complete list here. I absolutely loved my tour in San Francisco and in Vancouver and look forward to joining in another city in the future.
When all else fails..
If none of my above tips are feasible for you, do something new. When traveling, I enjoy trying out new fitness classes. I’ve learned that most studios will give you a trial class for free -win win! Many gyms will also offer free day or weekly passes if the treadmill is your only option.
Are you traveling during the holidays? How do you keep up your miles?
Linking up with Fairytales and Fitness
When I travel for the holidays I usually end up running on the hotel treadmill. Its not ideal, but easier to pack for knowing I can work out inside. And with unpredictable winter weather I just never know what Ill be dealing with.
Yes that always works. I am one of those people who avoids the mill for longer runs whenever possible
I would love to do a city running tour, sounds so fun. But every time I go to a city that would offer that, I am with a non runner.
I hope you have the chance to do it sometime it’s a great experience
You can book a running tour even when you are alone
I did a tour in Vancouver by myself and it was fabulous!
I have done a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning for as long as I can remember. Granted, it’s not always run but even a 5k walk is good right?!
Absolutely! I think it’s great to start off Thanksgiving day with some movement of some sort
Great ideas! Finding OTF in Boulder was a savior for me. I’ve also dropped in on a CPY studio when travelling. I’d rather explore with an outdoor workout, but sometimes schedules, weather or location don’t make that possible.
Yes exactly! I love to try out new fitness spots while traveling.
Great Tips! I usually travel durning holidays. So, it’s always hard to be on track. I’ll try these tips!
It is challenging at times!
One of my favorite things to do is explore new areas when I’m travelling. I’ve definitely spent time at the airport getting steps wandering the terminals while waiting for a delayed flight.
Airport walking always adds tons of steps!
I love running when I travel. It is the best way to discover new places. I’ve never done a city running tour that I would really love to.
It’s the other forms of fitness that I have a hard time with when I travel. 🙂
I have more trouble staying away from sweets when I travel and just getting off of my schedule
The hardest thing for me is the cold through the winter. But my trusty treadmill keeps me going as boring as it is.
I find the cold weather invigorating!
We don’t really travel during the holidays, thank goodness. Just day trips since our family lives close by. But that does require the motivation to get up early and run when it’s dark and cold out!
It sure can!
I am traveling over the holidays (Florida) and my only concern is that it’ll be warm for running. It’ll get done though!
It will be a big change for sure but you will get it done
I love that we have so many of the same tips! Great minds… 🙂
definitely! Must be a November birthday thing 🙂
I’ve never done a city running tour but would love to do that one day!
A few months ago I was in Minneapolis on business and the hotel was so great about giving me a 3 and 5 mile route near the hotel.
Yes I had no idea that the hotels had running routes available-big help. You would love the running tours
I love doing a workout with my family over the holidays to make sure we all stay active.
It is a fun way to get everyone moving!
Great tips to stay active during the holidays!
thanks!
We aren’t traveling this year for the holidays, but you have put together some great tips. Love the idea of finding a local race. How fun.
I’ve had fun jumping into local races before-low stress 🙂
I didn’t know about the maps — way cool; thanks! Usually I either just go out the door & run. Seriously.
We are not traveling for the holidays. When you don’t have kids, you try to avoid that (or at least the crowd phobic spendthrift husband does!).
the hotel map in Philly was fabulous because I was running alone and really did not know the are at all. We are hosting Thanksgiving this year
I love running while traveling! It is my time for myself and to explore a new place. Or I’ll take Alex with me. But I LOVE running while traveling!
I do too it’s a great way to explore for sure
I’ll be in Indiana for 5-6 days in Dec and i’ll have to figure out what to do because I won’t have a car to get to fitness classes and man it is WAY colder there than what I am used to in SC for my walks. I’ll try and figure something out.
Might be a great time to check out some indoor fitness classes?
I am not traveling during the holidays but I love the idea of City Running Tours. I know several friends that have used the service, all over the world (or at least something comparable)! So cool you took advantage of it in SF!
It was such a fantastic experience and I would love to do it again in another city
Hmm, the hotel walking routes sound like a useful and fun thing to be aware of. When I travel, the big question is whether to bring my skates. I often do, and keep up at least a little with my skating when I travel. If there’s no rink nearby, sometimes there’s a gym I can go to, either a hotel one, a local Gold’s Gym (I have a travel pass from my Gold’s), or a YMCA.
I bet it’s fun to go skate in a new rink too!
I’ve been dying to do a city running tour. They have them here in Austin.
Maybe when you have a friend come visit it would be fun to do together.
What great tips! Definitely helpful over the holidays!
Thanks so much! Happy early Thanksgiving
I try to find local tracks or YMCAs that we can use while traveling. Sometimes I’ll try to scope out a local road race to do!
I love finding a local race to jump into to
Great tips! So much can be found (and done) with a little creativity 😉 A lot of times, I just do my own thing in the hotel room if I can’t get outside for a run…lunges, squats, push-ups, yoga poses, and (of course), planks!
You are definitely creative on that front!
These are great ideas! I would never have thought of things like that. How fun to meet new people too, makes things a little more memorable too. Thanks for sharing.
Meeting new runner friends is always fun
We aren’t traveling but I always keep up with my routine during the holidays. I think it’s even more important! And when traveling, I definitely like to stay active.
I agree it helps so much to stay on your routine during the holidays and keeps the stress down
I usually try to map out a running plan so I can get out and do at least one exploring run. But like you said, it doesn’t always happen but luckily most of my trips include a ton of walking!
The walking part is great too. We were surprised how many miles we logged in San Fran
I love the idea of a city running tour! We stayed in LA in the Spring, and we loved being able to see the city that way with a few other girls we knew!
It’s a great way to explore for sure
We actually aren’t traveling much for a change – at least that means I can keep up my running on the anti-gravity treadmill!
You sure can!! 🙂
I only travel for thanksgiving so I don’t worry about missing my runs, which is good because I’m not training for anything..lol
I also find running on Thanksgiving morning is a huge stress reliever for me
These are all such great tips! I love running when I travel 🙂
It is a great way to see the city
No plans to travel this holiday season and I am OK with it. I’ve been to San Antonio to visit my sister or to Mexico and always make sure to check out some running routes.
Yes it’s always fun to do that
Great tips! I went on a running tour of Minneapolis before I moved away. It was really fun to learn more about the city.
It is a great way to see the city for sure
All great tips! I tend to look for races when I am travelling and I always try to find a running route.
It is fun to do races while traveling
All great ideas, thanks. For me the big issue isn’t how and where to run on a holiday though, it’s the motivation that I struggle with 🙂
Well yes there’s that!
I love the idea of city running tours. I think I will check that out the next time I travel.
They are such a great way to see a city. Hope you have a chance to try one
I am not traveling! I did not know about big hotels having maps on their Websites — that’s really cool & I’ll be looking for that in the furture!
Yes most of the big hotel chains have running routes (especially all of the Westins). The concierge desk also has running maps
I travel for work so I have to do everything you mentioned.
I love City Running Tours. I’ve done them in Denver and NYC
They are so much fun aren’t they? I would love to do it in NYC
I’m lucky that I don’t have to travel over the holidays but these are great tips for any time. I love exploring new cities on the run!
Definitely the most fun way to see a city
Great tips! I think the biggest thing for me is scheduling those work outs in advance into the travel plan so I know to leave enough time for them and have a plan.
yes it’s so helpful to schedule them in. I am not a happy person if I don’t get my workout in
These are great tips, and you do have some valuable experience in this arena! I always try to just go for a run near wherever I’m saying…even a simple out & back route (so I don’t get lost) will do. I also am a big believer in just doing “in room” exercises…planks, crunches, squats,lunges, etc. Of course, I’m always on the lookout for a stairway, too! Happy Thanksgiving 😉
I am always I will get lost in a new town if I just go out. I do need to try your stair plan sometime!
I’ve always wanted to try one of those city running tours! Great tips. Have a great Thanksgiving!
They really are a blast hope you have the chance to try one sometime
City Running Tours sounds like a fun idea!
Such a fun way to see a new city
So many great tips to get those runs in during the holidays! Thanks for sharing 😉
Thanks for checking them out!
I don’t travel during the holidays but if I did, running is such a great way to see places. Great tips Deborah and enjoy your holiday.
Thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
GREAT tips!! we run no matter where or when we travel and use a lot of these tips as a guideline. Google where a nearby park is or check out running routes on strava! We have included local races in our travels and also ParkRuns (those are FUN!). I know it’s really hard over the holidays but as much as we love and care for those around us we need to take care of ourselves too! So definitely get out there, at least for a few miles to keep you calm and sane!
I totally agree! Running and or doing some sort of workout keeps me sane for sure
I’m not traveling during the holidays but I love these tips! I try to fit in some running while on vacation but I still try to just enjoy the vacation and not worry about too many missed runs
Yes it’s surely important to rest and enjoy your vacations. Happy Thanksgiving
No holiday travel for me. I do have a quick business trip but I’m staying at an airport hotel so my only option will be the hotel gym. I usually ask the concierge where to run, and have used hotel running route/maps. Some even have 3 and 5 mile options.
I feel like I’m always running through the grocery store during the holidays, does that count?!?! I sure hope so! HA!
The travel plans usually interfere with fitness plans especially with having to divide time with the kids. I find it helpful to stay in hotels with a fitness center and try to get an early workout done.
Yes I agree it is so much more challenging when your kids are younger. Staying in a hotel w a fitness center is a huge help
These are all such great tips! I love running when I travel, one of my favorite ways to see new places!!
It sure is! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving
This was the first year I DIDN’T run any races over the Thanksgiving holiday, and I have to admit, it was nice to sleep in. I also got sick, so there’s that. Maybe next year I’ll jump back into the holiday race scene!
It is sure nice to sleep in sometimes too! Plenty of races
When I started to comment this morning I was going to say that I usually end up on the hotel treadmill…then I noticed that 2 years ago I said the same thing! In the summer I am more likely to run outside when I travel…more daylight and its easier to pack!
Ha I guess you are a creature of habit!
I do travel a lot for work the first thing I do is ask at the hotel for a park or safe running route.
I do love City Running Tours. I have taken them in Denver and NYC.
Enjoy the holidays.
Next time I go to NYC I am going to do the Brooklyn bridge running tour.
I love exploring new cities on the run. I’ve never done a running tour but they sound so fun!
They are so much fun and great if you don’t know the area well
Thanks for the great tips! We are traveling to Scottsdale, AZ for Thanksgiving. I think I might see if there is a Turkey Trot near us Thanksgiving morning. It would be fun to race in a new town.
OH yes a great idea!
My desire to run has totally tanked since the marathon so I love these tips that you outlined. I have a half marathon next weekend so I’m hoping that might help bring back some of my mojo.
I bet you will surprise yourself next weekend!
I usually just get my running clothes & shoes on and go out the door & explore. Seriously — I rarely map out a route at all! Sometimes that’s the best way to discover things.
That can be a great way to explore new places
I didn’t used to go running while traveling, but that’s all changed in recent years. It’s a great way to explore a new city. I usually do simple out & back routes, or a big loop… I’m horribly challenged with any sense of direction, so I gotta keep things simple!
Yes it’s easy to get lost in a new city for sure
The “finding a local race” is nice because means get to try out a new race. Plus holiday related races are usually pretty fun, imo.
I also used an app called RunGo traveling to SF a long while ago that was pretty good. It was when it was pretty new but you could create and add runs + find other peoples paths. It looks like they now even offer a version for hotels to get in on it, so I think I’m going to have to give it another look.
I love doing local races as well. I have not heard of that app but I am going to check it out next time I travel
Running a race while on travel is a great idea! I recently went to Israel and opted to run/walk a trail to Masada – a cliff where King Herod built one of his fortresses – instead of taking the cable car. Challenging but worthwhile!
That sounds pretty fantastic!
Amen! I love trying fitness classes while traveling as well. I always get to try something I can’t necessarily find at home, which is fun!
Yes it is fun
These are all great tips! I love running when I travel, one of my favorite ways to see new places.
yes I Agree
I usually only run on vacation during the summer. It’s a great way to get out and see the area. However, I always want to do a turkey trot on Thanksgiving, but there is not one close enough to where we travel. -M
Thanks for linking up with us.
Turkey trots are always so much fun and pretty low key
When I travel I usually use Hotel gym but these tips are great. I will definitely remember them next time I’m traveling. Thanks for sharing!
Great thanks safe travels!
One of the first things I did when I booked my December trip was sign up for the local race I missed by one day last year. Alas I can’t do the same for my Dec/Jan trip unless I take up snow shoeing as Rochester will be too snowy
Well snow shoeing is lots of fun!