Training on Holidays

hot buttered scones

I'm due to start training for Dublin at the end of June (P+D 40-55 I think), but I'm heading off on holidays for 3 weeks the day after the first session on the plan. I'm concerned that I won't get the planned sessions done when I'm away because of the heat but mainly because I don't want to keep disappearing to go running while I'm on holidays with the family. I know the first 2 weeks of the plan are light enough. So I'm thinking of starting the plan a week early and then spreading the next two weeks over the 3 weeks of the holidays. If I get a chance to do some more I'll do some recovery runs, but I want to make sure to do all the sessions without feeling under pressure. I'll be keeping pretty active anyway besides running.


Plan B: If it all goes to pot I'll start the 12 week plan when I get home.

I'm just looking for some feedback -good idea or not, or does it even matter?

YFlyer

Start into the program a week after your half marathon. During your holidays get out running whenever you can. Then get back onto the program after your holidays.

Chivito550

Training when on holidays is a complete grind. It will spoil your enjoyment of your holiday, and the training itself will only be so-so. Last year I was in Paris for a few days, and I trekked out to a track in the suburbs on two of the mornings to do track sessions in 30+ degree heat. Utter madness in hindsight.

Another time about 5 years ago I had all these great intentions of training while travelling for 7 weeks through the Australian outback, and again 2 years ago I was trying to train while backpacking around Europe. On both occasions the training didn't last long before I decided to just forget about it until getting back to normality. I don't think you can train properly if you want to enjoy a proper holiday.

I'd just focus on unstructured easy running while you are away, just to stay in shape, enjoy the holiday, and then hit it hard when you get back.

mel.b

I like running while on holidays. I like looking up things like mapmyrun to see where other people run and then planning a route. I tend to head out early in the morning while on holidays for a run. Take your phone / camera with you and it's a great chance to snap photos as well with a lot less people around. Some of my favourite runs have been on holidays including a ran through the empty streets of Prague early in the morning and in the snow in Copenhagen around the 'lakes'.

Chivito550

mel.b wrote: »

I like running while on holidays. I like looking up things like mapmyrun to see where other people run and then planning a route. I tend to head out early in the morning while on holidays for a run. Take your phone / camera with you and it's a great chance to snap photos as well with a lot less people around. Some of my favourite runs have been on holidays including a ran through the empty streets of Prague early in the morning and in the snow in Copenhagen around the 'lakes'.

Agree there. That type of thing is great fun. But it's not exactly training though is it. It's more easy tourist running. I'd keep to that kind of thing while on holidays. Just run around and have a gawk at the sites rather than trying to hit certain paces or do certain sessions.

sideswipe

Ah the joys of being a runner on holiday... trying to sneak out the hotel room door in the morning without making a massive racket and waking everybody else up. I always try to run early for the cooler weather and the fact that your not really gone AWOL if everybody is still asleep! You can enjoy the rest of the day better with the run under you belt rather than having those nagging thoughts of 'when are you getting your run in'.
There is no holiday from runners guilt- if you are trying to stick to a plan identify the key runs and prioritise them rather than the maintenance runs. That way you won't feel as guilty about missing the sessions.
Starting a plan a week early is always a good idea IMO, gives you a bit of leeway if needed.
Enjoy the hols and remember when you tip toe outside the room, put the key card into the lock so you can pull the handle down to avoid that massive click;)

hot buttered scones

Thanks lads for some sound advice. I'll be definitely doing some tourist running - there's some lovely coastal paths near where we're staying and I'm also spending a week in the Alps so maybe I'll check out some of the trails. So it's recharging the batteries and some sightseeing for me then. And beer. Lots and lots of beer.

BeepBeep67

I'm normally an early riser so get up and head out while the family are still sleeping, nothing too strenuous mind you 30-40mins easy running with a few strides every other day. Swing by the shop on the way back and pick up the fresh bread, milk and fruit and everyone is happy. My son is old enough now also that we'll head for 2-3 easy evening miles a few times while the girls are getting ready.
A holiday is a holiday and I wouldn't do more than maintenance stuff.

ultrapercy

Rust never sleeps.

ger664

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

My son is old enough now also that we'll head for 2-3 easy evening miles a few times while the girls are getting ready.

+1

One Bathroom with a wife and 18 year old Daughter always gives me plenty of time to get a run in before we head for dinner.

wrstan

I'm not that familiar with the P&D plan. But my guess is that at the end of June you'll be very much base building.
Nice easy early miles should fit in well with that phase. If it's hot, just run by feel until you get accustomed, and keep it easy. Those early morning runs while every one else is asleep are often some of the best times of my holiday.

opus

I nearly always take along the running gear when I'm on holidays but really only cause I like to do 'tourist running'. Year before last I did a three week R66 trip with a friend and was out almost every morning before 6am as wasn't really prepared for how hot it got later in the day.

Never stressed as to how long or how hard the run was which made it way more enjoyable.

rooneyjm

Id say get some loose arrangement before you go ie ill run every 2nd day or something. That way your not looking for any opportunity to escape. As someone else said, get it done early and enjoy the rest of your day

PaulieYifter

sideswipe wrote: »

... trying to sneak out the hotel room door in the morning without making a massive racket and waking everybody else up. .....
..... remember when you tip toe outside the room, put the key card into the lock so you can pull the handle down to avoid that massive click;)

Spot on!

Holidays are ideal for running. I look forward to the afternoon recovery naps too. One of the good things about running is that you can actually make use of your fitness to explore the area.

Just get the running done before breakfast and everybody is happy.

If I'm away for a standard 2 weeks I'll try bookend the holiday with long runs at home meaning maybe only one really long run on holidays, add in some sort of session once a week and the rest of the days easy or whatever I fancy.

hot buttered scones

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Spot on!

Holidays are ideal for running. I look forward to the afternoon recovery naps too. One of the good things about running is that you can actually make use of your fitness to explore the area.

Just get the running done before breakfast and everybody is happy.

If I'm away for a standard 2 weeks I'll try bookend the holiday with long runs at home meaning maybe only one really long run on holidays, add in some sort of session once a week and the rest of the days easy or whatever I fancy.

Sounds like a plan. We're staying in a mobile home with teenagers so I guess if I get out early enough it won't be a problem. Its three weeks away in 2 places so I'll do the bookend thing like yourself and try and get and get one longish run in each place. Some easy stuff and an early morning tempo should do it. It's not just the sneaking out though. If I'm honest I could probably do with taking it easy for a week or two.

youngrun

Holidays great for training. First thing in the morning and maybe squeeze in a couple of doubles. Can be hard to run hard in the heat though .

Cabaal

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Spot on!

Holidays are ideal for running. I look forward to the afternoon recovery naps too. One of the good things about running is that you can actually make use of your fitness to explore the area.

Have to agree with this,

I've seen parts of Majorca, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany that I'd never have seen without going out for a long run in the morning. Have seen some cracking scenery over the years.

The heat can be a pain in the arse compared to what we're used to in Ireland but its well worth doing and just needs a small amount of planning.