I’m linking up with April, Patty & Erika for their Tuesday’s on The Run Series. This week I am in Aspen, Colorado with my husband and some friends. If you haven’t been to Colorado in the summer it’s gorgeous! Pictures to come soon. Every time we go on vacation I get a little nervous about keeping up my fitness routine while still having time to enjoy the vacation. I also tend to have some altitude issues here so we’ll have to see how that goes.
I’ve come up with a plan for this week & some tips that might help you as well:
1. Do some advance work-I have already checked out the hotel to see what fitness equipment they have. I’ve also checked out a nearby gym and secured a day pass. Looks like they have a TRX class that will work for me as well as a strength training class. I usually do strength training 2-3 times per week so this will keep me on my schedule.
2. Try something new– We plan to go White Water Rafting one day which my husband and friends will do with me. It’s a little out of my comfort zone but I’m in. We are also planning a hike later in the week. Not something I usually do but expect it to be a great workout.
3. Find a Race to hop into-I happened to notice that the Komen Race for the Cure 5k/10k is in Aspen this Saturday. The race start is about a block from my hotel so I pretty much have to run it right?? I typically have some trouble running here with the altitude but I figured why not? If I am slower, who cares? It will be beautiful and it’s for a good cause. It’s always fun to do races when you travel.
4. Stretch and hydrate- I always travel with my small foam roller so I can keep up with my stretch routine. Doing different activities is great but I need to remember to stretch. Having access to the gym will give me no excuse to skip the stretch. As I mentioned, the altitude here can be rough so I always try to drink more and drink beverages with electrolytes. I am not a big drinker in general but I also limit my alcohol intake to head off any dehydration.
5. Think about your meals-Knowing that I will be eating out 3 meals a day for 6 days, I need to think about my meals so I don’t over do it. I try to eat my regular breakfast and lunch meals and splurge a little at dinner. My hubby is a big foodie and restaurant guy so I try to go along when we travel.
6. Be flexible-I will try to remember that my friends and family may not be as rigid or structured about their exercise and eating as I am. I may have to alter my usual schedule a little so I am not totally annoying!
7. Cut yourself a break!-This can be the hardest one of all! Remembering that I am on vacation after all so if I don’t get in all of my runs or usual workouts it’s ok. The world will not come to an end. (I think). I am going to try to relax my eating rules a little too. Yes, hubby I did just say that!
This is my plan for this week so we’ll see how it goes! How do you plan for vacation fitness?
I nearly always try to go for a run no matter where I am–it helps me get out and see the place, as well as stretch it alllll out
It is a great way to see the town for sure. I’m hoping I’m good with the altitude
I think planning a vacation in a place like Boulder guarantees an active one. So jealous!
I’m excited to see if I can run in the altitude today.
Have a wonderful vacation! These are all such great tips. I have only been on vacation once in the past few years, but I was running a lot while there and in general trying to keep up with my fitness because I know if I don’t it will be hard to restart when I get home!
Thanks and I do hope to keep up my fitness while away. Since it’s only 6 days I have big plans and hope to have enough time to do it
If I ever get to vacation in Colorado, I’m budgeting run time every single day 🙂
That is a good plan my friend! It’s gorgeous although the altitude is a killer
These are great idea! White water rafting and entering a race sound like fun 🙂
They do! I hope I can run here with the altitude
I firstly make sure that the hotel I am staying at has a gym and then I make sure I do active things ALL DAY EVERY DAY when I am on vacation! Exploring the city via FOOT… Biking, Hiking, etc etc! The great thing is when I go on vacations, it’s typically with my family, who are also VERY ACTIVE – so it works perfectly 🙂 I remember in Turkey, my mom, sister and I would be out there, every day, “getting our steps” while embracing the culture!
It is great when your family is also interested in doing active things. My hubby will be joining me on some of these activities this week. He is not as crazy as I am about fitness -LOL
I’ve never thought of looking up some local races when I travel, but what I great idea! I spent 11 days in Colorado this month and you’re right…it’s a great place to spend time in the summer!
It is gorgeous isn’t it? I am planning on the race and hope I can deal with the altitude
We tend to vacation in places that we can walk to everything. When we were in Boston, we did not drive for two days. We walked approx 11 miles each day exploring the town and through college tours too. It’s a little crazy but it’s less stress then driving around a town that we can not navigate well. I do try to get in a small hotel work out even if it’s with resistance bands in the hotel room and using the stairs instead of the elevator. As for eating, I keep my breakfast lunch and snacks as healthy as I can. Dinner is another story.
Have a great time in CO! I can’t wait to see pics!
I do love that we can walk everywhere here it makes a big difference too. Yes dinner is a different story-you only live once right?!
I always look for a race when I travel as well lol! :0) River rafting and hiking in Aspen will be SO cool – have a blast!
Thanks! Yes I love doing races when we travel it’s always a fun way to see a town
How fun that there will be a race going on that you can participate in. White water rafting is out of my comfort zone too. Anxious to hear how it goes!
Way out of my comfort zone too! Stay tuned!
Great tips! I’ve never managed to sign up for a race on vacation (I’ve never thought about it actually!) unless the vacation was planned around the race so that’s a nice idea. I hope you’re having a great trip, thanks for linking up with us!
It was fun and just happened to fit my schedule perfectly. Look forward to doing more link ups with you all 🙂
Have fun in Aspen! My husband & I will be going on vacation to Colorado in September. We hike a lot & will be exploring a lot of Rocky Mountain National Park. Can’t wait!
How is running at that altitude?
It is beautiful. I’m not a hiker but I am going on one tomorrow. The altitude takes some getting used to so we’ll see how the 10k goes.
Ohhh, I miss living in Colorado so much! I hope you have a great time. And the last one, cut yourself a break really sticks with me. One week in the grand scheme of our fitness routine is NOT the end of the world. You know I’m struggling right now since I’m by myself with the boys, so I’m focused on not letting it get me down!! Have fun!
Absolutely! 1 week is not going to do any harm and probably is a much needed break for your body. None of us really take enough recovery time for all the crazy things we do! It is really hard to be alone with young kids-been there. Perhaps we’ll do a trade one weekend LOL teenagers!
Have a wonderful trip to Colorado! I lived on the Front Range for about a year in Loveland/Fort Collins. Loved that area (just a little cold for me to stay lol)!
So far so good! It’s beautiful here
Other than a stability ball, I think the other home fitness essential would be the TRX band!
Definitely! The home version is great!
Great plan for working out on vacation! White water rafting is so much fun, I’ve done it a couple of times, hope you enjoy it! So cool that you’ll be racing in Aspen while you’re there…sounds like it was meant to be!
I thought so too when I saw the race listed. I hope I can deal with the 12,000 feet altitude on the run
Ya know – one day soon I will go out of town to participate in a race. I see so many of my friends doing it and they have a GREAT time on these runcations!!!! #wowlinkup
Runcations are great! Now if I can just deal with the altitude I will be ok. You need a vacay too!
Great list! This will come in handy with all of the traveling I’ll be doing in August!
Thanks hope you have a fab and fit vacation too!
Thanks hope you have a fabulous trip too!
You have some great activities planned! Planning ahead is critical! Enjoy the down time with the hubby! Can’t wait to hear how the trip went!
Thanks so far so good!
I honestly struggle to fit in fitness while on vacation… out of my routine, element, and schedule. I do find that when we schedule our activities around movement… fitness HAPPENS (but it is hard as a family to slip away to workout.. imho).
I found it easier this time bc we had scheduled more activities in advance. It’s the eating out every meal that kills me too