Train during vacation – a guide for runners who want to keep going
Vacation often means a welcome break from everyday routines – but it doesn't have to mean a break from training. On the contrary, it can be a perfect opportunity to maintain running in a freer, more enjoyable way. When the calendar is empty and you control your days yourself, it opens up new possibilities to run for the joy of it rather than for times, kilometers, or scheduled sessions.
Discover new environments with your running shoes on
One of the biggest advantages of running on vacation is the chance to experience new places at running pace. Taking a morning run through a quiet holiday town, running along the sea in the evening breeze, or heading out on forest trails you didn't know existed – it becomes a way to explore the surroundings while getting exercise. Many exercisers testify that the best moments of vacation often happen during these spontaneous, demand-free runs.
Lower the demands – but keep the habit alive
It's perfectly okay not to follow a strict training program during your time off. Instead of focusing on pace, distance, or peak form – let the feeling guide you. Maybe you run a little shorter, a little slower, or a little less often than usual. The important thing isn't exactly what you do, but that you keep the movement and routine going. Running during vacation doesn't need to be ambitious to be effective – just lacing up your shoes and getting out goes a long way.
Time for variation and recovery
When you're not bound by the same time pressure as in everyday life, you can allow room for variation. Try new surfaces, run barefoot on the beach, or add a mobility session after the run – things that might otherwise not get done. Also, make sure to rest when your body signals it needs it. After all, vacation is about recharging, and recovery is an important part of training.
Smart ways to fit running into vacation days
Traveling with family or friends doesn't have to get in the way of your running. An early morning run before breakfast, a session while the kids nap, or a run while someone else prepares dinner – there are many moments to take advantage of. Sometimes it can also be fun to have company – maybe there's someone in your group who also wants to run a shorter session together.
The right shoes make a big difference
When you run on new surfaces – gravel roads, forest trails, asphalt, rocks – different demands are also placed on the shoes. During the summer, when feet are often more exposed, in sandals or barefoot, it's important to have running shoes that let the foot work naturally but still provide enough protection and stability. A pair of well-fitting, lightweight shoes that offer support without restricting movement can make your summer runs both more enjoyable and safer.
Running as part of the vacation feeling
Running on vacation shouldn't feel like an obligation – it should feel like something you want to do because it makes you feel good. When you let go of the demands and run by feel, training becomes a way to enhance the vacation feeling rather than disrupt it. And when autumn quietly approaches, you'll thank yourself for keeping active – without stress, without pressure, but with joy intact.
