Marathon Training While Traveling

Photo: aarmono, Flickr

Travel is one of the biggest obstacles to marathon training. A trip pops up, whether for business or pleasure, and you've got to go. But does that mean you have to bid farewell to your marathon training? Hardly.

I can tell you from firsthand experience that you can train for a marathon from your suitcase. You just have to get a little creative.

For instance, when I did an 11-day Alaskan cruisetour seven weeks before my first marathon -- and this was only one trip of many that summer -- I was a little worried about screwing up my training, but I made it work. On days at sea, for instance, I hit the treadmill and logged the miles. (In all honesty, treadmills bore me to no end, but with my iPod and the incredible scenery, the experience was tolerable, even enjoyable.)

I also didn't get upset when I had to cut my mileage or do a different workout. I was there to enjoy Alaska, after all. (And there's tons to enjoy up there!) Of course, as soon as I returned home, I got my training back in line.

Want some other tips for training while traveling? I asked Matt Russ, head coach of The Sport Factory in Alpharetta, Ga., who's worked with dozens of athletes, to weigh in on this topic. Here's what he suggests:

• Identify key workouts you must accomplish during this time and schedule them into your day. "Prioritize these workouts and research what might be available to make them happen, like a treadmill, track or local park," Russ says, adding that you can accomplish a marathon build, although not optimally, on as little as three days of running per week. You can also cut volume back by as much as 80 percent and still maintain a high level of fitness.
• Schedule workouts for mornings. "My traveling athletes often don't know what the day may hold for them," Russ says. That's why it's best to complete a workout in the morning versus risking the treadmill at 11 p.m. after an exhausting day.
• If you miss workouts, don't overdo it when you return. Travel alone stresses your body, especially if you're crossing multiple time zones. If you try to make up for missed training in one week, you'll break your body down further. Granted, if you miss your long run or walk, you'll need to make it up sometime, but don't overdo it in the first few days you're back.
• Be flexible. "Training is a fluid process that requires a level of flexibility," Russ says. "Assume an adapt-and-overcome mentality and get back on track the following week."