When I saw the roadside memorial of a rickety white-board cross and faded plastic flowers, it dawned on me. May be this wasn't the tragic scene of a vehicle accident. It could have been a runner mowed down while hugging the side of the road.
Fast moving vehicles don't expect to share the road with a runner
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This wasn't an idle thought. I am that 'are you kidding me?' runner making their way along the side of a busy highway on a shoulder that seems as wide as a strip of toilet paper. (Odd how it seems so much wider when you’re in a car.)
When that first semi trailer rushed up from behind me and rocketed past with the speed and force of a 14.8-liter six-cylinder engine keeping 80,000 pounds moving on 18 wheels, the rush of air forced the front of my sun visor up then back in place on my head. I remember thinking it's as if my hat is giving a little salute to the truck. That, and oh my god, that's a frickin' big, fast, deadly rig.
Deciding which direction to head - towards Peachland or Summerland?
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So why was I tempting fate on Highway 97 under the broiling Okangan sun, setting aside the assumption that runners are a bit crazy to start with? When it comes to holidays, there are three types of runners.
The first welcomes the break in routine as a ready-made, largely guilt-free reason to forgo usual training. The Nikes get tossed in the car or suitcase, but if room was needed for a bottle of wine or a 1978 Toyota Corolla car manual, or really anything at all, the runners get left at home.
The zealous triple A-type runner tries to convince their spouse and children that they really don't need to accompany them on vacation. Being alone at home with just the training schedule and a shelf full of Gatorade and Power gels has the hypnotic pull that a candy store has on a child. At the very least, they will bring their Boston Marathon pillowcase on the trip.
Then there's the rest of us. Dedicated enough to maintain a training program but not so tightly tied to our drills and long runs that a few detours or improvisations won't cause anxiety and fear worthy of a Stephen King novel.
Here's how you can train for a half or full marathon and have fun on your holidays without it becoming a horror story.
1. Plan what you can.
You already have your training schedule. Before you leave home, consider how you can modify it or fit it with family vacation plans. Delay or advance your long run by a day. Ask your family for their understanding and support. Trust me, they'll appreciate you being able to run occasionally rather than sulking, sneaking off when you should be visiting Aunt Mabel or staring miserably out the car window.
2. Pack smart and stock up on supplies.
Take two sets of shorts, running tops, socks and if you're a woman, sports bras. Your sweaty togs need to be at least rinsed if not shampooed after your workouts and they might not dry in time for your next run. You’ll appreciate the fresh gear. Also bring enough gels, chocolate syrup (in leakproof Tupperware to add to milk for recovery drink) or electrolyte replacements.
3. Be flexible.
So you ran out of gels mid-holiday? Any gas station, or campsite concession sells candy, which is a dandy carbo source. I scored some shoe-shaped gummy candies in the $1-grab bag at our campground's gatehouse, a favourite stop for kids spending their allowance on Twizzlers and Fudgesicles.
Score! Runner-shaped candy provides fun fuel
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4. Be on the alert for possible running routes.
When we're about 10K from our destination, I start paying attention to hills, rural roads off the main route and runner friendly territory.
Assessing possible routes
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5. Beer counts as carbo-loading.
Ice-cold beer is almost medicinal on a hot day. You don’t have to forgo summer pleasures. But alternate your evening happy hours with happy-the-next-morning long runs.
6. Run, even if it’s not as often or far.
Feeling virtuous about brining your running gear on holidays doesn’t mean you have magic pixie dust for your legs that maintains your fitness and endurance. You need to run. Period.
Running on holidays can offer rewarding views
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7. Be kind to yourself.
Holidays are meant to be different than your time at home. Don't give up on your training but loosen up a bit. Unless you're holidaying solo or at the Long Twitch Lodge summer camp, remember you are on holidays with family or friends who aren’t addicted to running. If they vote for river rafting and you're staring at a dirt goat trail up a mountainside, or they bring marshmallows to te group camp fire and you bring Gatorade, it's time for a vacation from your vacation.
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