Keep Running While Visiting Relatives

I recently received the following question from a runner: "I'm going to be staying with my in-laws for a week at Christmas. I'd like to keep up my running routine, but don't want to seem rude or selfish by doing my own thing. Any suggestions?"

Finding time for runs is a common concern this time of year, especially when you're traveling for the holidays. Here are some tips for keeping up your running routine when you're staying with family:

• Plan ahead. Before you arrive on their doorstep, let your relatives know that you're going to want to run during your stay. They'll appreciate the advanced notice and they can give you recommendations for when to run, so your runs won't interfere with family plans.
• Ask other family members to join you. Even if no one else in the family runs, you can head to a local trail or track and see if anyone wants to walk while you run. You might be surprised to find out that other family members are looking for an excuse to get out of the house and be active. Going for a run or enjoying the outdoors together could be a great bonding experience.
• Run early in the morning. You're less likely to disturb family plans if you run first thing in the morning, rather than trying to squeeze it in sometime during the day. Try to get out the door before the rest of the house wakes up. And earn some brownie points with the in-laws by returning from your run with fresh bagels and coffee.
• Cut back on your mileage. Even if you're close to your peak mileage for marathon training, you should have some rest weeks factored into your schedule. Use your family visiting time as an opportunity to give yourself a recovery week. You'll still be able to run and maintain your fitness, but you won't have to disappear for hours at a time to get a long run in.

Get more tips for maintaining your running schedule while staying with family.

Related:

• Keep Running During the Holidays
• Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
• Tips for Running While Traveling