By #HouMarathon Ambassador Lindsay McClelland

I recently returned home from what I would call a pretty epic trip. I spent a weekend in New York, one week in Hawaii, then headed to Vietnam for almost two weeks, it was amazing. But, when traveling, especially abroad, it can be difficult to fit training into a busy travel agenda. If you have any big trips coming up this summer or fall, consider this your go-to guide for training trips while away.

Pack your gear: Simply put, if you don’t pack it, you won’t do it. Some hotels have workout rentals and running concierge’s, but don’t count on it. Bring your running shoes and your Chevron Houston Marathon finisher shirt so you’ll constantly be reminded to go out for a run every time you open your suitcase.

Stretch it out: My most recent travel schedule had me on airplanes way more than I’m used to. While on the plane I made an effort to get up, walk around, and do some simple stretches. During layovers I stretched out my legs with walks through the terminal and upon arrival I forced myself to go for a walk, run or do some yoga. By staying active, I reduced soreness and felt less sluggish when I finally arrived to my destination.

Sweat once a day: Some cities aren’t conducive to running, certain hotels don’t have treadmills, and sometimes you might be sleeping on a boat. When faced with situations where running doesn’t seem possible, get creative. There are other ways to sweat that will help you maintain conditioning without running. While away I got into the routine of doing a quick bodyweight cardio circuit in my room before my shower each morning. I typically did some variation of 10 squats, 10 push-ups, 20 abs (repeat 5+ times) or a 20-minute yoga flow.

Go on an adventure: Sometimes the best way to train while traveling is to integrate your workout into your trip. Check out local trails, go for an epic hike, or take a bike tour around the city. By being active, you’ll stay fit while experiencing something totally new.

Be social: The amazing thing about technology and social networking is that you can access running routes, trails, and even find running partners while on the go. Find routes on MapMyRun.com, check out the Strava heat map, and ask friends on your social networks for advice on running in your destination. #HouMarathon Tip: try this out while in Houston, too!

Eat well: It can be extremely tempting to indulge on everything while traveling, I know this all too well. However, getting back into training when you return five pounds heavier will be even harder. Allow yourself to enjoy the local cuisine, but be mindful of portion size and keep your poolside cocktails in check.

How do you keep motivated to do your Chevron Houston Marathon training while on vacation? Share your tips using the #HouMarathon hashtag!

About the Author: Lindsay McClelland (Houston, TX) – Marathon
Lindsay is a marketing professional at MetroNational in Houston. Making her way to Texas by way of Hawaii, she’s found that trading in her flip flops for cowboy boots isn’t so bad! While she does miss living in paradise, she’s fallen in love with her new city, its great food and friendly fitness community. Lindsay has run 11 marathons and more half marathons than she can count, is a yoga teacher and former collegiate swimmer. One of her favorite things about Houston is the supportive running community, from the competitive training groups to fun social runs. Lindsay’s father is also a runner, and they’ve run part of the Chevron Houston Marathon together for the last two years! When she’s not running, you can find Lindsay at the yoga studio or checking out some of Houston’s best restaurants!
Twitter – @Lindsaylm
Instagram – @lindsaylm
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