Running while Traveling

[Bill Noyes]

Does anybody have any advice for keeping up a running program when traveling for business?
Seems that running would be easier to maintain than biking or swimming, as you don't need to worry about a bike or swimming pool.

I know I can go to the hotel gym, and spend time on the dreadmill, but I'd rather run outside.

My next trip is next week, and it is to Salt Lake City, UT which is several thousand feet higher than home, and quite a bit colder, so any advice with regard to altitude/weather would be appreciated.

[Todd Powers]

Bill,
I don't travel much, but tossing in the running shoes seems all it would take. I applaud you for keeping a plan in place even away from home. Congrats!

As far as the gear goes...pack a variety of layers and go from there.

Enjoy and best of luck in UTAH!

[Jim Kuhns]

i'm on the road 250-300+ days/yr. for business & i find it very easy to run wherever i am. i was in denver several weeks ago and asked the front desk if there was a running trail in the area. three blocks from the hotel was cherry creek trail, which, if i'd been so inclined, goes for about 15 miles. well kept, well lit & safe. i'm headed to middletown, ny tomorrow & there's a great trail in goshen about a ten minute drive from the hotel. again, well maintained, well lit, etc. ALWAYS check with the hotel front desk. they may even have a running partner suggestion since others ask them too. i've run in tel aviv, seoul, taipei & hong kong among other places in the past year. point is there's usually someplace to run...and there isn't or the weather is bad, you can always use the treadmill at the hotel. as for altitude, it affects each person differently. i took it easy the first day, drank lots of water and avoided alcohol & caffeine (to a point...there are other things in life besides running.) and had no problems. your mileage may vary. ;-) the rest of the time i was there i ran my usual schedule with no ill effects. i've also met people while running in different parts of the country/world that i still stay in touch with & when i go back i have a running partner. sorry to be so verbose. hope this helps. jim

[Debra]

Good advice to check with the hotel front desk. Seems there should be a way to search ahead of time on the Internet too. Though you'd still want to check with the desk to find out if the area is safe. Also could Google ahead of time to see if there are any running stores or running clubs that could provide the information.

[Debra]

One more thought. I belive there is a "rails to trails" site you could check to see if there is a trail near the location you are visiting.

[Bill Noyes]

Thanks,
I had already used mapmyrun to scope out the area a bit, there is a local college nearby, and the perimeter road is a 2.5 mile loop, so I may just run a couple of loops. I was more concernted with the altitude, and the cold, here in SoCal, I'm spoiled and anything below 50 is Cold.

[Bill Noyes]

Thanks, Jim.
Good Idea to ask at the desk. I think I've ID'd a place to run around a local college. I'll be sure and take your advice on lots of water, but avoiding caffeine, ain't gonna happen!