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Runners World Articles: Archives - September 2002

Running Away from Home

As I write this column, I’m waiting in the Atlanta airport for my flight, and I’m faced with a real dilemma: Should I patiently spend the next hour-maybe2-hunched over my laptop doing busy work, or should I check my bag and scout out a place for a quick run?

All of us have pockets of time when we could be running. But instead, we skip it because we’re not near a track, park, or another favorite running route. This is too bad, because the beauty of running is that it can be done anywhere, anytime. Below are some of the venues where I’ve improvised many a workout. You can do the same.

AIRPORTS
Let’s say you have a couple of hours to kills at an airport. If you know beforehand that you’ll have this chunk of time, pack yourself a carry-on “run bag” that contains running shoes, shorts, top, socks, deodorant, and Handi-Wipes. (Yes, Handi-Wipes do a decent job of cleaning you up and making you socially acceptable after a run.)

Stow your street clothes in an airport locker, and head out in search of a running route. Ask an airport employee if there is a nearby residential area that us easy to get to. Or run through the extensive parking garages and lots that always surround airports. Just watch for stressed-out motorists rushing to catch their flights.

If you don’t have enough time to exercise away from the airport, go for a power walk through the facility. You can easily cover a couple of miles in most airports. And whn you have some open space, jog for 15, 30, or 60 seconds at a clip. The Atlanta airport has an underground walkway that’s almost never crowded. And these days, many airports even have fitness facilities with treadmills and other exercise equipment. Ask about them.

HOTELS
Just because you’re staying at a hotel in an unfamiliar city doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up there. Ask the concierge about safe, nearby running routes. Many hotels have running/walking maps available to guests. Or ask if there are any hotel employees who run. They might offer to share their favorite local route. Also, check if the hotel offers a shuttle service to any nearby scenic areas that might be good for a run.

SPORTING EVENTS
I must have stood around for hundreds of hours as a “soccer dad” before I started running laps around the practice field. Then I began exploring the neighborhoods around the fields for longer runs. There’s nothing like a run during halftime to relieve the stress that can accumulate after a series of questionable call by the official.

SCHOOL CARPOOLS
When it’s your turn to pick up the kids, head out early, and park the car about a 10-minute walk away from the school. Run to the school and around the school grounds as times allows. Finish your run as you meet the gang at the school doors. Then use the 10-minute walk back to your car as your cool-down, and catch up on how the school day went for everyone.

Speedwork in Strange Places
The next time you’re away from home on a day when your training schedule calls for speedwork, try this session:
1. Jog for 10 minutes to warm up. During the warm-up, scout out an area that has a relatively flat and smooth surface where you can run continuously (and safely) for up to 2 minutes. Possible locations: large parking lots of any kinds, a nearby industrial park to weave through, or a seldom-used concourse at an airport.