A normal race training cycle can be anywhere from eight to 20+ weeks. That can be a long time! And you can anticipate many things to pop up in a training cycle – appointments, meetings, or even travel and vacation. So how do you keep up with your training schedule while traveling?
During a Walt Disney World Marathon training cycle, Megan enjoyed a vacation to Washington DC. Before her trip, she researched how she could keep up with her training while traveling. As she was not familiar with the area, she didn’t know local running paths, safe areas of town, etc. Thankfully, she found a hotel that welcomed runners with open arms!
Having heard that Westin hotels recently starting working with New Balance (which we obviously know well from a runDisney perspective), she decided to give it a try. Westin Arlington Gateway (along with many other Westin hotels across the country) offer the following for runners and fitness fanatics:
GEAR LENDING WITH NEW BALANCE
To help you pack light and stay fit, we offer New Balance® shoes and clothing for you to use during your stay for only $5.00. Simply dial Service Express® and request your shoe and clothing size, and they will be conveniently delivered to your guest room. Shoes come with socks that are brand new and yours to keep, and the clothing is provided fresh and clean. Upon departure, simply leave the items in your room in their mesh bag.
WestinWORKOUT® FITNESS STUDIOS
Elevate your energy level on the treadmill, tone up with strength machines or grab a mat to stretch and let go of stress. The airy surroundings of WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studios feature the finest exercise equipment from world-class brands for all levels of performance. We provide everything you need for an exhilarating workout, so you can energize or de-stress day or night.
RunWESTIN™
Combine your workout routine with fresh air and local scenery with our RunWESTIN™ program. We’ve teamed up with New Balance® to provide three- and five-mile routes through the city or into rural landscapes. Runners of all levels are welcome to join a group run or grab a running map and take off on their own. Either way, you’ll be welcomed back with a fresh towel and cold bottled water.
With all of these resources at hand, it was easy to keep training even in the midst of a vacation. (Although, all of the walking while in Washington DC was a workout of its own!) The staff was quick to answer any questions, offer information regarding the running paths or fitness center and even give their experience with the runWESTIN™ program. In fact, the General Manager at the Westin Arlington Gateway is a runner himself!
While it can be easy to skip your training runs while traveling, a little planning can help keep that from happening. Find a hotel that offers multiple ways for you to get a run in, whether in the gym on the treadmill or along a local running route. It is a fun way to explore a new city while getting in the mileage needed for your upcoming runDisney race!
How do you fit in training while traveling? Let us know below!
Disclosure: Megan paid for her entire stay at the Westin Arlington Gateway and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are our own. We love the fact that hotels are becoming more and more accommodating to the running community, especially the Westin brand!
Throughout these blog posts, we will cover all aspects of training from our own personal experience. Please note that we are not medical doctors, personal trainers, registered dietitians or in any way qualified to give individualized recommendations. If you have something you would like us to address, please send an email to info@runnersguidetowdw.com!
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