Miles & Memories: 6 Race-Ready Tips for a Running Vacation

Ready for your next race-cation? These 6 running vacation tips will help you pack smart, travel well, and create unforgettable miles and memories.
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Chances are pretty good you have a handful of local races you love to run.
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When you're racing locally, it's easy to gather all your things or hit your usual running store for an extra gel or two. You're in your element, so the planning is relatively easy.
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✈️But what if you want to take a running vacation?
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You know...combine a vacation with a race and travel out of town for it. 

• That means a lot more prep, and possibly some obstacles you may not have considered. 
• That's doubly true if the race is out of the country, like the Tenerife BlueTrail races in Spain's Canary Islands. 

Knowing how to pack and what to bring can be really helpful, so you don't end up dealing with issues when you should be warming up.
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In this article, you're learn:

• ✅6 tips to get race-ready for your next running vacation +
• ✅We'll give you a handy-dandy list at the end of each section so you can check off what you need to prepare. 

🏃‍➡️Ready for a running vacation? 
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Here's what you need to know...

Let's talk about prep, baby!
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✈️When you're booking a running vacation, the first thing to look at is jet lag.
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Often, the excitement of a race can help you get over a typical early morning wakeup time on race day.

• But jet lag can really drain your energy. That's fine if you're running for fun and not time, but padding in a couple of days to get used to a time difference can be really helpful.
• Whatever time you fly, try your best to stay up until your new location's evening, so you can wake up refreshed the next morning. 
• If you require medication to sleep, it's a good idea to keep it in the original packaging and double check that it's legal where you're going. 

🚕Before booking the flight, you should also take into consideration how you'll get to the race.

• Are there ride shares available that early in the morning? 
• Is there a shuttle from the hotel you're staying at? (Check to see if there is an official race hotel.) 
• Make sure you know the distance between the hotel and the race start, and don't forget the race expo, which may be the day before. 

🗣️You may also want to consider something like the Duolingo app if your vacation race takes you to another country where you don't speak the language.

• Anything you know can be helpful. 
• Look into the Google Translate app, which can actually do live translation of conversations to help you out. 
• You can also use it to instantly translate signs and labels by hovering the camera over them in the app. 

⌚You should also make sure to check the times of everything. 

• Some countries use the 24-hour clock, and 6:00 may mean a.m., but our 6:00 p.m. may be written as 18:00. 

👇Your Plan-Ahead Checklist
⏹️Book enough time to get used to the time difference

⏹️Make sure any medications are legal in the country you're visiting

⏹️Know how you're getting from the hotel to the race and back

⏹️Know the distance between your hotel and the start line/expo

⏹️Don't forget to be there for the expo as well if required

⏹️Learn a few words of the local language and use Google Translate

⏹️Check to see if the times are based on the 24-hour clock

📃It's a good idea to start a race packing list a week beforehand to add to as you think of things.

• After each training run, see what you need and write it down. 
• If you're doing a race somewhere in America, you may know where to get things you need.
• But if you're in another country, you should look up local running stores to see how accessible the items you need are. 

🪧Your race may have official requirements, particularly if you're doing ultras.
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You may be asked to bring things like a:

• Survival blanket
• A certain amount of liquid or gels/bars
• Trekking poles
• Head lamp 
• Waterproof windbreaker, etc. 

You don't know what sort of issues you may have with transportation where you're going, so having what you need before you leave can be vital. (If you have poles, you may have to put them in a checked bag.)
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Anything you can bring that is going to make you more comfortable is a good idea.
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😋Need to eat snacks at night or in the morning?

• Bring them (though double check that they're allowed, because some produce items can't be taken into certain countries). 
• If you need breakfast before you run, see if your hotel has an early one, or prep the night before with snacks. 

💦Is there a particular type of hydration that works best for you?

• Check to see if it comes in travel packs. It may be worth checking a bag if you need, say, more than 3.4 ounces of leave-in conditioner so your hair doesn't knot, or several pairs of sneakers because you like to switch them up. 
• It may cost a bit more, but if it helps your race, it may be worth it for you. 

👇Your Packing Checklist
⏹️Set up a running race packing list

⏹️Look up local running stores and if your favorite items are sold there

⏹️Get any required race items before you leave

⏹️Pack anything that makes you feel comfortable

⏹️Check a bag if you need to and factor in the cost

⏹️See if your hotel has an early breakfast

💦In addition to bringing your own form of electrolytes, you should check to see if the country's water is OK for tourists to drink.

• If not, make sure you're budgeting for bottled water. 
• If it's an issue, you may want to run with a hydration vest that you fill with that bottled water so you don't have to stop on the course. 
• In the days before the race, don't drink anything with ice cubes in it, and skip fruits and vegetables that may have been washed in it, as well as items cooked only in acid like ceviche. 

😋If you're spending a few days in your vacation race location, it's a good idea to stick to foods you're used to. 

• Potatoes, for example, are a good option for carbs, as they have to be cooked. 
• The time to try new foods is after the race, and not before. 
• Packaged trail mix is always a good option to bring with you for emergencies. 

👇Your Fueling Checklist
⏹️See what sort of hydration is used, and bring your own if needed

⏹️Check to see if the local water is okay to drink or bring bottled

⏹️If not, skip ice cube, as well as salad, fruits, veggies, and raw food

⏹️Bring snacks that your stomach is comfortable with, just in case

If you're staying for a few days before the big day, you'll likely be doing shakeout runs in your vacation race location.
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Before you book your hotel, call them directly and ask them if there is a safe place to run nearby.

• If not, make sure they have a gym so you can use the treadmill. 
• You may also want to look into local runners groups online to see if they have suggestions. 

Have your phone on you, or bring an alarm or whistle, and let someone know when you leave and return.
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👇Your Shake-Out Run Checklist
⏹️Ask your hotel about safe places to run/contact a local running group

⏹️See if your hotel has a gym with a treadmill

⏹️Let someone know where you're going to be

⏹️Run with your phone and a whistle or alarm

📌What's your plan for getting to the start of the race?

• If you plan on taking a taxi, set it up with your hotel.
• If you don't know the area, have them show you on a map to where you're going. 
• Stay safe. Make sure someone knows that you're leaving and where you're going, particularly if you're racing alone. 

🛌What's your plan for getting home after the race?

• You may want to pre-book a taxi for the way home if you need one, so you're not delayed by everyone calling at the same time. 
• If you're renting a car, make sure you know the parking situation and expected traffic beforehand. 

A good resource is either the race website (which can be translated by Google) or in a social media group where people have done this race. Of course, look up the race on WeeViews. If there is a review by someone who has done it, reach out and ask about anything you're not sure of.
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👇Your Race-Day Logistics Checklist
⏹️Book any taxis through the hotel and look at a map

⏹️Make sure someone knows you've left the hotel

⏹️Pre-book a taxi back to the hotel, post-race

⏹️Look up parking if you're renting a car

⏹️Check WeeViews for race reviews as a resource

It's a pretty incredible experience to do a race in another place or another country. 

• You can meet some wonderful people from around the world. 
• (Get their social media handles, because it's easy to translate posts and comments online.)

✈️If you're traveling alone (and even with a small group)...

• Stay aware, especially during the post-race celebration. 
• Of course, you want to mark the occasion, but don't overdo the alcohol, and keep an eye on your drinks. 

📍Get contact info ahead of time.

• Know the local version of 911. 
• The U.S. State Department has a list here. Program it into your phone. 
• If you're in a foreign country, it's also a good idea to have the number and email for the U.S. consulate for the country you're in. 

🚨Prep for any emergencies that may pop up. 

• You can get injured in a race, so know the number for the local hospital.
• Check your own insurance to see if you're covered out of state or overseas. 
• Take pictures of any travel documents and put them into a password-protected folder that you email to yourself. That way if you lose your passport, you can contact the consulate for help. 

Vacation races can be a memorable experience, whether they're on the other side of the country or in a new one entirely. Doing some prep work beforehand can go a long way.
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👇Your Post-Race Checklist

⏹️Don't overdo the partying after the race

⏹️Know the local version of 911 

⏹️Program the number/email for the U.S. consulate into your phone

⏹️Know where the local hospital is and if you're covered by your insurance

⏹️Have a password-protected folder with all your travel documents
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A running vacation isn’t just about crossing a finish line in a faraway place, it’s about collecting stories, soaking in new sights, and pushing yourself in ways only runners understand.
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Whether you’re chasing a PR in a new place or just soaking up the post-race vibes somewhere new, a little planning goes a long way.
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And now you're ready to make the most of every mile on your next running vacation.
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🏃‍➡️Where's your next running vacation?
Share yours in the comments or Create a WeeView about your favorite race and tell us more.