We all know what we should put in our suitcase when we are travelling to a beach, a city trip or when we go skiing. But what should you not forget when going on a running vacation? I have made a list of everything I always take with me.
Shoes
This might seem obvious, but I cannot stress this enough. Take the right shoes with you. Which should be different than your walking/ city trip shoes. When you run, your foot lands in a different way than when you walk. Hence, when you walk in your running shoes, the formed pattern inside your shoe might slightly change which can result in injuries long-term.
Clothes
Check the weather forecast of your destination before you leave. Will it be sunny and hot? Don't forget the sun lotion and some light (coloured) gear. Will there be a chance of rain or even snow? Make sure to take enough layers with you and gloves!
Other stuff
This is slightly different than the clothes you should pack. With gear, I refer to a back pack, some gels/ energy bars, electrolyte tablets, drink bottles, ... Of course, if you are only planning on running once or twice and a short distance, this is something you can leave at home.
Food
Since you are on holiday abroad, you should try to enjoy the local cuisine as much as you can. However, if you are planning on doing some big trainings abroad, you should also take in consideration your nutrition (more about pre/ post workout food in another blog). If I don't really have any restrictions on packing weight (travelling by car), I prefer to take some protein powder with me. Simply because I like it and because I prefer to be 100% sure that I can properly re-fuel after a training.
FUN
You are on HOLIDAY. Do the things you like and don't feel obligated to go for a run. Rather sleep in or spend a day at the pool? That's also fine! Wanna do a 20K run next to the beach? Perfect! But be aware of the different climate, environment, etc.
Hope this could help you with packing, and if I forgot something, I am happy to hear!
Xo
Lisa