As any runner and frequent flier will tell you, squeezing some running time into a business trip is one of the little joys that can make an otherwise schleppy work junket enjoyable. Running on a business trip brings a feeling of centeredness and identity to an experience that can feel disjointed.
When I can, I like to step into a meeting with a few miles under my belt, with a bit of pleasant soreness and a healthy appetite for a company-sponsored lunch. It’s a nice physical reminder of my own priorities and identity.
Work can have a way of subsuming all other priorities, so getting some runs in on a business trip requires a bit of forethought. Business trips are often tightly scheduled: in addition to actual work time, there are long flights, waiting lines for cabs, company dinners, hotel check-ins, and all the rest.
On the other hand, a work trip can offer a degree of freedom that’s not available in regular life. When I’m on a business trip, I’m released from my other domestic responsibilities – bedtimes, making lunches, folding laundry. With some advance planning, I can almost always squeeze in some running time.
If you’re lucky, work trips may actually provide more opportunities for running. Last year I had the luck to work with a client in Telluride, a seven-hour drive across Colorado from my house. Along the way, I had the mouth-watering choice of almost any type of trail running I might desire. I chose a segment of the Colorado Trail winding up Kenosha Pass through the changing aspens. I was able to log a few hours on the trail and finally arrived in my hotel room deliciously filthy, covered in mud and sun from the trail. I had 20 miles to record in my running log and a healthy appetite for travel-reimbursed beer and pizza.
Tips For Running On A Business Trip
Do some research ahead of time.
I often scope out the running situation from home, Googling popular running routes at my destination. If I’m looking for trails, Trail Run Project is a good bet, and often has some options in or near cities. If I am in a city, I try to avoid running on crowded sidewalks or dodging traffic, so I seek out bike trails and walking paths that avoid this type of clutter. Knowing where the good runs are in a new city can save you when you get there.
Always pack your running gear.
The beauty of running is that it requires very little gear – apart from a pair of running shoes, your shorts and shirt can squeeze into a tiny corner of your suitcase. You never know when you might find a moment to sneak out for a jog, so be prepared. Even a quickie can do wonders to recharge your body and your mind.
Plan running into your daily schedule.
Runs are often the very first thing I squeeze into my schedule on a work trip, because I know if I don’t prioritize them, the time will get gobbled up by something else. I often add running blocks right into my work calendar before my trip. I can often find time in late afternoon after meetings end, but before dinner; or mornings before breakfast.
Don’t be afraid of treadmills.
This past December, I took a wintry trip to Detroit and Toledo. The weather outside was in the 20s and snowy, and it was hard to find a good spot to run. My hotel’s gym had a treadmill, so I slipped down and logged five solid (and dry) miles. When my hotel doesn’t have a treadmill, I can often find a recreation center with a daily fee, usually $10 or under. Treadmills aren’t everyone’s favorite, but throw on a podcast or watch some running porn on your iPad and before you know it you’ve logged your daily miles. Moreover, they’re a great way to do a structured workout and bang out some serious incline.
Keep moving throughout the day.
Whether or not you’re able to run on a trip, your body needs to keep moving. Even when you’ve fit in a run, the rest of your day may be sedentary. If you’re stuck in meetings after your run, make sure to stand up for a bit, do some light stretching from your seat, and make up excuses for short walks – for water, say, or to the bathroom.
