Travelling and Treadmills

Joy here...One thing that I have realized is that it is very hard to maintain a consistent training program (for anything - running, cycling, swimming etc.) while having to travel.  As hard as it is to be motivated to keep to a running plan when I'm at home, it's even harder when I'm not even at home.  This realization was hit home to me this past week.  I had to travel for a conference out of town for three days; I knew that I'd have access to a treadmill, and I dutifully packed my running gear, but even with the best plans in the world, my running still suffered.  Because I wasn't able to pull off a long run last week, I was intending to beat that beast while I was away.  Unfortunately, the first day I arrived was jam-packed from the moment my plane landed until the moment I crawled under the bedsheets.  However, I rallied and woke up bright and early the next day to run on the treadmill.  I had planned to run for 2 hours to make up for my missed long run, but only lasted about 90 minutes before I was (a) so bored of the treadmill that I thought I might die and (b) running low on time if I planned to shower and eat before heading to the conference.  After those 90 minutes of running, I didn't have another minute to myself that entire day.  The following day was much the same:  I woke up, headed to the conference, had a meeting after the conference, and then attended a dinner.  On Saturday - my return day - I got up before the sun, headed to the airport, flew home, and then pulled off a 9 km run upon my return.  All in all, I'm glad that I was able to do *some* running amidst the travel, but to be honest, it's very hard to keep to any sort of real schedule when real life rears its ugly head and makes its demands.

But with the 1/2 marathon only 4 weeks away, I can't afford to slip up on my training and running, otherwise, I'll find myself sitting at the side of the curb with my head in my hands instead of running across the finish line with my arms raised in triumph.  I'm looking forward to option two!

Over and out,

Joy