Travel Fitness - How To Stay Active on Vaca!

Since I'm currently on vacation it seemed like a good time to talk about staying active/fit on vacation!  

Let me be up front right off the bat...I'm pretty bad about vacation workouts, and when I say workouts I really mean running, since that's my primary workout activity.  Honestly, I've been lucky that most of my vacations have lined up with needed down time between training cycles/races, so the break has been welcome!  

Having said that though when I have traveled during a training cycle I get the run done!   

A few tips:

-Do your homework on your destination!  I'm a runner, so I like to find out if there is a local Fleet Feet store, or other running store, and then find out if they have group runs.  I also take the time to find out where the runner friendly paths, trails, streets are in relation to our lodging.  You would be surprised what you find!  

For example, did you know Vegas has some pretty awesome workout/running options?!  It's not a place I associate with working out/staying active, but check this out: Run, hike and exercise in Vegas it sort of makes me want to go!  

-Pack your running/workout gear!  If you don't have it you can't use it!

  My running bag for Whistler.

-Figure out the best time to get the workout/run in.  For me vacation is family time first...period.  So, I don't run if it doesn't work for the hubby and the tot.  I also would not plan on running the morning after a late night out, a big dinner, or lot's of wine/drink.  This trip I coordinated with the hubby and worked my first run in around the family time we had scheduled. 

-Lay your stuff out so you can see it!  Do you have any idea how many times I have packed my running stuff on vacation and never went for a run?!  If I can't see it I don't think about it, and won't do it.    

 Gear out and ready to run!

-Allow yourself a vacation style workout/run!  My 4 miler earlier in the week was slow...I like to call it vacation pace.  I got the run in, but I didn't kill myself doing it.  I still want to enjoying hiking and playing with the family!  

-Breaks are good for the body.  So if you need a break from the usual grind try a challenge of some sort.  When we went to Houston I did a pilates challenge that required 8-10 minutes of pilates a day.  Super easy to get done first thing in the am, or when Sky was napping, didn't require me to pack anything extra gear wise, and I could do it right in the hotel room.  Other challenges that wouldn't require any special workout clothing/gear would be planks/push ups/sit ups/squats/yoga/stretching. You get the idea.  You can find tons of these online and download to your phone or laptop to take with you.

-Plan it early in the week and early in the day to assure it gets done!  

  

Run done and feeling great!

-Get out there and get it done!  But, if you don't it's ok...it is vacation after all!  

Enjoying Whistler!

Just a quick, mostly picture post of our time in Whistler so far.  Even though the weather has been chilly and raining on and off we are still having fun.  It's nice to be away and relax!  Plus, the weather starts getting progressively nicer and nicer the rest of the trip...and I get to run tomorrow!  The trail system here is amazing and I can't wait to get out there and log some solo miles!

I didn't take much time to edit these/make them look fancy...I'm too busy drinking wine and reading a good book!

 Just having fun in Whistler!

 While Mark and Sky enjoyed the hot tub (temp turned way down for her) I enjoyed this!

 She loves spending time with Daddy, and she loves thinking this is her own personal pool.  She also thinks Elsa lives on the mountain (Blackcomb) we can see from the deck, and she spends most of her time yelling for her to come back and telling Elsa it will be ok.  

 After all the play time (pictured below) she was wore out!

 She may have had more fun pushing him on the spinning disk thing than being pushed on it herself.

 The view of Blackcomb from one of the decks.

 A bit out of order...she is an awesome road tripper, but when she's done she is done!

 Climbing, climbing, climbing!

How she spent most of the 5+ hour drive, before the blanket went over her head.  She can't read, but man she has a wicked good memory.  She can repeat the stories almost word for word.

I had a request/suggestion for a "How To Stay Active/Work Out" on vacation/while traveling post months ago, but life happened and things got busy.  So, since I'm on vacation I'm planning on doing that post (finally) while we are here in Whistler.  

So my question for you is...

-Do you exercise/stay active on vacation?

-Any tips for those that want to stay active while traveling or vacationing? 

I have my own list of tips etc, but wanted to gather more!  

Running Goals - I'm Done For the Year

The good news is I ran this week, and I felt pretty great!  It was hot, 5:30 pm on an 80+ day = not great, but it's what worked for the family.  The heat I tell you it's just not good for me.  Only did two miles, and kept a nice easy pace, and still started feeling sick. Safe to say I won't be moving to the south ever!

But, I was happy to find that my legs and back felt really great, which was a bit of a surprise given I haven't run in 3 weeks.  I'm doing 4 miles this morning, much cooler, and keeping it nice and easy still.

My goal this year was to PR all my distances (1/2 marathon, 10K, 5K), and I'm realizing now that was sort of a dumb goal.  It takes a lot of training physically, mentally, and emotionally to PR, and honestly I'm tapped out.

The one I really wanted was the 1/2, and I did that so I'm officially letting go of the 10K and 5K.  On top of the fact I'm in no way ready to try and PR the 10K I have in 2 weeks.  Just not going to happen...Plus, I'm sort of over the numbers game that running can turn into.  

I'm already working on setting up next years races to = max fun, and think I may take a year off from having a big running goal for the year.  Don't get me wrong...it's important to have goals because it keeps you moving forward.  But, setting a goal for an entire year doesn't leave much room for illness, injury, or life in general, and when you only have one big goal the whole year is a pass or fail in one swoop.    

Maybe next year is the year I focus on being a more well rounded runner by bringing trail running back (Dad that means you and I finding a race to do!), volunteering more (it's stressing me out how little I've given back to running this year), getting back to my regularly scheduled runs with friends, setting goals for each training cycle/race (if I decide to set any at all for each race) and just running to run because I love it and it's fun.

All this running talk = it's time for my morning run!  Before I go though a few Sky pics...

No big deal, just climbing on top of the trailer while no one is looking.  

Most mornings start with "You want to cuddle me on the couch Mommy" 

This book is going everywhere with us lately.  She won't leave the house without it. 

 Today is the last day of the challenge and I'm starting right over with day 1 and doing it again...I love my Mind Body Mat time with her that much! 

Silly girls!

Big step...meeting her teacher and exploring her classroom...she loved it!

She was up there talking about going to school and meeting her teacher, and in the process also started waving to everyone we know and calling people out by name.  "Hi Daddy, I go to school", "Hi GammyGampy, I go to school" (she runs their names together for some reason), and on and on and on through all her family and friends.  She ended with, "I go see Reagan now"...(we didn't go see her btw).

-----------------

How do you set your running goals?

Anyone racing over the long Holiday weekend?

What are you last weekend of summer plans?

 

Lacking Run Motivation

Oh my goodness I'm so not feeling the motivation to run.  I want to run, but when it comes down to the actual steps of putting on the gear and getting out the door it just doesn't happen.  I need to change that though...ASAP...I have a 10K in two weeks.  YIKES!!!!

My back is feeling so much better and I want to run, now I just have to get to it and do it!

I have been thinking about running though, and am lining up my schedule for next year.  I'm so excited I got into the one Half I really want to do next year!  

This is one of the races on my race bucket list, and I'm so excited that it's going to happen next year! Michelle got in as well, so her and I will be taking a girls weekend to visit Mark's sister/stay with her, and run in a truly beautiful setting.  I can't wait...hello my favorite distance and my favorite beverage!!!

Part of my problem is summer is winding down and we are so busy right now.  It's been really easy to back burner running in favor of other things.  Like enjoying sun tea and playing with Sky.

This may be my favorite time of summer because is sunny and warm, but not too hot, and everyone is getting ready to go back to school/last minute vacations so the playgrounds are empty!  

 
And...I'm spending lot's of time enjoying the pleasant summer evenings on the deck with wine and some of my favorite magazines!

But, this week is the week to get back out there and log some miles in my favorite shoes!  And, since we are getting ready to head out on our own end of summer vaca I want to get a few runs in before traveling, and set myself up to enjoy running in Whistler!!!  Nothing like cramming in some last minute training runs before race day.  Not the best plan, but it's going to have to do this time around.

----------------

Who else has end of summer travel plans?  Where you going?

End of summer races?  

Thankful Thursday

Things I'm Thankful For:

-That you all put up with my random posting breaks.  It's been crazy busy and honestly I don't have much to say, odd I know.  :)  I'm noticing that a running slump = blogging slump.  So ready to be back to running regularly...the back is feeling better and better, so I'll be out there soon!

-For time spent with family.  Mark's sister and her boys are visiting from Cali and we got some time with them the first night they were in town...it was really nice!

-And then we all headed up to Amy's farm (Mark's other sister) to play with all the animals and enjoy some country air!

 Aunt Kim and Amy helping Sky out on the horse.

 Loved being around the horses!

 "Piggy banks"!

Punch it out!

-That Sky is so excited for pre-school, and got to meet her teacher and play with classmates at the park!  "I make new friends mommy"!

-Sky's determination and ability to stick with something, and try over and over, until she gets it! 

This climbing wall at the park is pretty long, and the transition from one wall to the other (picture below) was a little tricky singe the angles are different.  Sky would fall off every time, and instead of getting back on the wall right there she would go all the way back to the beginning.  She just kept saying "I do it mommy, I do it"...and you know what she did it!    

-Margarita's...I just really like them! 

-My new Steelers Jamberry Wraps...I just really like them as well!

-That Sky makes me laugh over and over and over! 

 She was being so serious talking to me in the car and the upside down glasses were making it so hard not to laugh.  (We were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic...I was safe while taking this pic).

But those safety goggles!

-Really thankful for anything that brings a smile to my face...little moments of unexpected joy throughout the day are the best!  

I don't know when I became elegant, but it made my day! 

-I'm excited I was able to actually get a picture of this amazing car!  Would love to know the story behind it! 

Things like this are just fun!

-Sky is such an awesome pilates/yoga partner.  I look forward to the quick little 10 min workouts I'm doing through MindBodyMat.  It's 10 minutes of Sky and I working out together, and the look of joy on her face that she gets when she's doing what I am is just priceless.  

Yoga practice called Up The Wall...it was pretty great!  

-For perspective specifically relating to running, running goals, what's important to me in my running life.  I'll post about all that soon(ish).  

-----------------

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday - 10 Years

Today I'm Thankful For:

Sedona, AZ 8/15/04 The day after we said "I Do"

July 2014

10 years of married life, love, and adventure with my perfect for me match.  There are not too many things I'd say I'm proud of, but our marriage is one of them.  It hasn't always been easy or fun, but it's always been full of love, respect, kindness, and caring for each other through thick and thin.  And, most of the time it's full of laughter, adventures, goofiness, fun and love.  Lot's and lot's of love!  

I love how much our life has changed and grown in the last 10 years, and I can't wait to see where the next 10 years takes us!  

I love you babe!