Let’s face it. When some of us don’t get those miles, our holiday spirit might be a little less… well, spirited. Sticking to your running schedule during the holidays is less about perfection and more about having a loose plan, flexible expectations, and a sense of humor when things go sideways.
Set expectations early
Clare Kubiak moved to Charlotte five years ago from California. She knows a thing or two about travel and hosting family for the holidays. And running; she’s a Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador. She’s also learned that her family actually prefers her as a runner. “They know I’m always a nicer human when I run,” she told us. Communication, of course, is key to making it work, so she lets them know ahead of time that she’ll be slipping out for a quick run at some point in the day. Even when she’s hosting, she lets them know early: “We’re doing a walk after lunch today!” Then everyone can plan around it—or opt out if they want.
Plan your routes
Devin Martin is a Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador and founder of Percent Run Club. He believes the key to staying on track while traveling is planning ahead. Depending on where he’ll stay, he checks if there’s a fitness center, local gym with day passes, or a nearby park or greenway, because “knowing what resources you have around you will allow you to plan the types of workouts you can fit in without taking over the whole trip.” Once he has an address, he uses Strava or Garmin heat maps to find popular, safe running routes and confirm sidewalks or paths via satellite view. Sometimes technology does make things easier.
Timing is everything
Most holidays are full of natural “downtime pockets” that make perfect windows for a few miles. Clare looks for those least‑disruptive moments: when kids are deep into a craft, when a Christmas classic is playing and the popcorn is already served, or when the meal is in the oven and half the house has drifted off for a nap. Catching a quick loop while everyone else is occupied can keep your routine intact without feeling like you’ve missed the whole day.
Let tech and locals guide you
Devin is also a big fan of the RunGo app, which offers pre‑built routes created by local runners and sometimes even from hotel parking lots, complete with turn‑by‑turn audio directions so you don’t have to stare at your phone or worry about getting lost. If your watch supports navigation, you can load those routes straight onto your wrist and head out the door with confidence. And if apps aren’t your thing, old‑school still works: ask friends who know the area, or look up local run clubs and drop in on a group run to get both a route and some instant running buddies.
Pack like a pro
Holiday travel gets a lot easier when your gear situation is a no‑brainer. Clare recommends a “loose workout kit” you can always grab: a resistance band, running belt, light or vest, shoes (maybe an older pair that can handle anything), gloves, and a hat, so you’re ready to go whether you’re in full training mode or just trying to “sneak something in.” One of her favorite hacks is to travel in her first run outfit—black workout pants that double with a nice sweater for the plane, then pull duty again for that first workout or run the next day.
Give yourself some grace
Devin admits that what once felt like “dream travel”—new cities, new food, all the time—eventually took a toll on his health and fitness. Now, he still enjoys the fun parts of holiday travel but balances them with enough movement to feel good, focusing on moderation and clarity about his goals: is this trip about maintaining fitness, or is he squeezing in peak marathon training? He looks at the day’s plans in advance and decides whether an early run, a nap‑time workout, or a later shakeout makes the most sense, remembering that one imperfect week won’t erase months of work.
Make movement part of the memories
Running doesn’t have to be separate from your holiday experience. A neighborhood loop can double as a Christmas lights tour, a family walk after the big meal can become a tradition, and an sightseeing run in a new city might show you more than you’d ever see from the car. Whether you’re hosting or traveling, inviting others to join—on a walk, a jog, or even just a stroll to the end of the street—keeps you accountable and turns “getting your run in” into shared time instead of time away.
How do you fit in your miles when you’re traveling, hosting, or shuttling between families during trips or holidays? Let us know some of your best holiday or travel running tips, hacks, or traditions. You never know. You might just help another runner get through the season with their sanity—and their training log—intact.
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