Running holiday...holiday running

Holidays are great for all kinds of reasons. For the places you go, the people you hang out with, the R&R and so much more. Holidays are also great for running, and running is great for holidays. Some holidays are even based on running, whether it's travelling to do an event or going away for a training camp…running is front-centre of the experience.

For me, I love running while holidaying for the pleasure it brings and the things I can see on the run. Perhaps my most memorable holiday run was in Paris whereupon leaving the hostel set out in the early morning, I set out on a route that took me down to the Seine river, along to Eiffel tower, across to Place de la Concorde and the forecourt of the Louvre museum, then up the Champs Elysees to Arc de Triomphe before heading back to the hostel, all in about a 55 min run. Not only did I see many of the main sights of Paris, but saw the city come to life…the street sweepers, delivery vans, cafes setting up and more. It was memory I've held and savoured to this day.

Then there were some fabulous runs in New Zealand, heading out along trails, around lakes, into some hills and round towns, just checking out the scene and hoping I don't get lost (or worse…). And don't forget running along the endless beach on Fraser Island…being chased by a wasp…or running the road to Uluru, or circling Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. Running on holidays can take you places you might not go if you were walking - a lot quicker - and starts the day off on the right foot. If you've done a run and seen things before breakfast, you've got the rest of the day to just take in the peace and serenity of being on holiday.

The challenge for a keen runner while on holiday is the fine line between running for enjoyment while away against the temptation to turn it into a "training camp", of sorts, and smash out some great sessions to give your running fitness a boost. The problem with this is the effect it may have on your actual holiday…being too tired to really enjoy the surroundings and the people you're with. Running up a great mountain trail is fantastic, but hiking up it with others and appreciating the view might be a better…as long as you're not too tired to do so. Striking a compromise between great running and great holidaying can take some practice!!

The middle ground I've found is to see holidays as a break from focused training, as such, and enjoy the holiday for what it is…and enjoy the simple pleasures of running in new and stimulating environments. That is, enjoying holiday running. The exception is, of course, if you're taking a running holiday in which case, run hard!!