Should I run during holidays?

“Do you run on holiday?” I was asked in conspirational tones. I felt like I was confessing: “Yes. I usually pack my kit. But only because I want to, I don’t feel I have to”

Rest and recovery are vital for everybody (not just athletes in training) so it’s a great idea to use your holiday as a time for rest. This might mean you down tools completely and put your feet up for a week or two. If this doesn’t sit well with you, you might choose a different activity - something a bit gentler, or completely different to your everyday training.

But if your holiday doesn’t coincide with a break in your training plan, or if you don’t follow a training plan then there’s nothing wrong with lacing up your pumps and hitting the road/trails/beach.

I love running when I’m on holiday. Getting out early and seeing a new place as it wakes up; getting out at sunset to see the colours change or just exploring a bit further, a bit faster than you would with a walk. But I never feel like I have to run. If it feels right I go, equally if I’m not feeling it, if I need the downtime or if I’m feeling my time with other activity there’s no pressure.

If you’re holidaying at home, it’s a great opportunity to explore a new route, or to run at a different time of the day – fit in your long run on a Wednesday for a change! But you might have a jam-packed schedule (I’m thinking Christmas time) and if fitting in a run is adding more pressure to you then skip it for a few days or go easy with shorter runs.

If you’re in the midst of a training schedule and the family holiday happens you may have to negotiate. Work out what type of session you’ll be able to fit in or ask your coach what the most important session is and make that a priority. If you’re in a new place, prepare your route and check when the best time to run is – take into account if you have jet lag, a different climate or if you’ve been eating different food.

So the ultimate answer: you have a choice on when, how and what your running looks like. Sometimes that’s exploring on holiday and sometimes it’s giving yourself a decent break. Use your running to de-stress so if it fits in then do it; if not, a week off isn’t going to wreck your schedule!

If you want advice on how to create or adapt a training plan - get in touch.