Going to Oorop? Or maybe just Kansas (Eww)?
Travel presents a pretty serious challenge for the athlete, as it messes with our natural rhythms, activity levels, blood flow, etc.
Whether you are traveling for business and want to be able to train while away, are traveling to a race or training camp and need to be able to perform, or are just wandering about the country exercising (awesome), you want to be able to arrive rested and and ready to rumble (really).
Our bodies are NOT made to sit down for long periods of time, and unless you are totally awesome and have a tour bus with beds, you’re probably going to be spending a significant amount of time with your ass parked in seat that makes you consider waterboarding a leisure activity after about half your trip.
Because of these long term static positions, we end up with three main problems, all three of which can negatively effect training and racing performance.
1. Muscle tightness. In all the wrong places.
2. Blood flow issues. Not to be taken lightly.
3. Crazy-irRational-Athlete-Problems. “CRAP! I’m not training and I feel like CRAP and I’m going to race like CRAP!”
So how do we deal with these?
1. Use EVERY chance you get to get up and be That Weirdo who is doing lunges down the aisle of the plane, pushups in the terminal, and jumping jacks in the line for The Only Bathroom In The Desert.
2. Wear compression garments (at least tights) while traveling.
3. Consider steps 1 and 2 to be your Training Plan for the travel day to fight the CRAP.
4. DRINK WATER. A lot. The more hydrated you are, the better your blood flows. And the more times you have to pee, the more chances you have to be That Weirdo. Perfect.
When you arrive at your destination, or even a layover, go for a walk. Even if the ONLY thing you want to do is go to sleep/watch questionable TV content (Married to a Jonas? Come ooooon). Seriously, get out, go for a 10-15 minute walk, and maybe include some dynamic stretching.
Traveling is always going to be a literal and figurative pain in the ass, but with a little planning and a high awkwardness threshold (lunges are much more effective when you make eye contact with the big dude in the aisle seat as you pass), you can get to your destination with a little pep in your step as you race to the nearest bathroom.
