Unless you’ve decided to lock yourself up in your hotel room and watch the Travel and Living Channel (believe me, I have friends who do this), you should really make an effort to get on your feet and explore your surroundings when you’re on holiday. Of course, this is no easy task especially if you’re taking a break from work. After all, who wants to get exhausted on his vacation?
This is where being physically fit helps. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising daily has proven to be the best pre-requisite for a vacation jampacked with activities. Being fit enables you to commune with the place you’re visiting by allowing you to have more endurance to explore your new surroundings.
If you can squeeze in a bit of exercise during your vacation, all the better. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you also have to put your exercise routine on hold. Even just a few minutes of briskwalking in the morning will get your heart pumping and give you more energy to last you through the day.
Of course it’s essential to bring the proper gear when you travel. Here’s a roundup of my exerciseslashtravelslashporma gears that have proven to help me stick to my routine while on the go.
PT Disclaimer: I wish the companies that produce the following products are paying me to do this but no, they’re not. These are my personal experiences with these products.
1. ADIDAS NOVA TRAIL/RUNNING SHOES
Ahhh… My Super Novas! Fashionable enough to wear with jeans, cargo shorts or capris, the Adidas Nova Trail Running Shoes is perhaps the best pair of running shoes I’ve ever owned. Adidas uses three different technologies in these babies: adiPRENE in the heel for protection from harmful impact forces, TORSION SYSTEM in midsole for midfoot integrity, and TRAXION outsole for maximum grip in all directions. In other words, it has great heel and arch support and wide enough on the toe area so there’s a lot of room for wiggling my toes, making it ideal not only for running but also for those challenging uphill and downhill walking tours. It’s also very lightweight because of its porous,abrasion-resistant mesh upper specifically designed for durability and protection.
Having said all the points that would probably increase the sales of these shoes in the next few days, I have to say that what amazes me most is that my Super Novas don’t seem to get dirty. Do they have self-cleaning properties? I don’t know. All I know for sure is, I have ran more than 100 kilometers in them, and still haven’t seen a spot of dirt anywhere (except of course on the sole). They also don’t seem to wear out so I’m expecting a life expectancy of about 4-5 years. At Php3,695 or roughly $75, this is definitely value for your money. (I got mine on 50% discount. Please don’t hate me. ☺)
2. THE NORTH FACE HYDRENALINE TRAILRUNNING JACKET
Hydrenaline is TNF’s own blend of breathable and super lightweight fabric. Launched in 1996, the Hydrenaline series was much acclaimed because of its many noteworthy features.
The jacket’s outer shell is made of very tightly woven polyester microfibers so it’s hydrophobic and wind resistant. This makes it ideal for running in wet weather. It also weighs close to nothing so it’s easy to pack and stash in your bag.
I’ve had my jacket since 2000. I have gone on countless runs with it, climbed mountains with it and crossed the Pacific Ocean with it yet it has not once disappointed me. I love the hood because it has a little visor that keeps the rain away from my face. The hood can also be tucked inside the collar pocket when you don’t need it. Finally, as a little bonus, TNF has incorporated a secret stow away pocket where you can hide money and some valuables.
The Hydrenaline series was a bit pricey for windbreakers when it was first launched (but then again, TNF generally is pricier than most). But after 8 years of continuous road-testing, I can understand why. I think my jacket will last me another 5 years or so. I’ll keep you posted.
3. TIMEX IRONMAN TRIATHLON WATCH
I’m no triathlete (obvious ba?). I was just looking for a dependable wristwatch that I can use during my shoots and running sessions. I was initially eyeing the very cool analogue Timex military watch but the need to timemy lapses took over my fashion preferences.
The best feature of this watch is the FLIX system. Since I run at night, it’s a big hassle when I have to push a button to see my time. With FLIX, the night-light turns on with a flick of my wrist. So I can see my time without having to make a lot of movement, thus minimizing distractions. Finally, there’s the timezone feature in which you can input 3 different timezones, a great feature for the homesick traveller who constantly needs to check the time back home.
4. IPOD SHUFFLE
I can’t imagine going on a trip without my Shuffle. It has also been my constant companion during my evening runs. A word of caution, though…one of the biggest no-nos for women runners is listening to music while they’re out on a run as it makes them vulnerable to prowlers. Fortunately, I run in an enclosed (and guarded) village so I only have to worry about passing cars when I run at night.
The Ipod Shuffle is a design gem at its finest. You can clip the tiny player on your shirt sleeve or running shorts and forget it’s there. The shuffle feature also means you get to listen to all the songs you like with a little element of surprise in between songs (it’s like listening to the radio except that you’re the one who made the playlist).
My current playlist includes:
U2 for warming up
Rage Against the Machine for uphill runs: (Admit it: anyone who wants to give up running has a theme song. If Rocky Balboa rocks to “Eye of the Tiger”, I sweat it out singing “Calm Like a Bomb” under my breath. What ya say, what ya say, what ya say what?!!!!
Coldplay for recovering my breath.
And finally, Sheryl Crow for cooling down.
5. NikeFIT CLOTHES
I don’t buy Nike shoes because I have always been partial to the no-nonsense footwear technology of Adidas. What I do buy are Nike clothes. Aside from being durable, the NikeFIT line is generally more fashionable than the regular off-the-rack Adidas fare. More importantly, the patented NikeFIT abric helps keep moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool and relatively dry. My current favorites are my pair of Nike ‘Tempo’ Track shorts and Nike Pro Women’s Sports Bra. They’re easy to pack, easy to wash and quick to dry.
On my ideal holiday, I’d wake up early, put my gear on and run to start my day off. Afterwards, I’d go back to my hotel, shower, eat a hearty breakfast then head off to explore the city or the place I find myself in (on foot, if possible). But note that this is ideal, something that I strive for everytime but unfortunately, not able accomplish all the time.
So in the meantime, in my real world, I try to stick to my evening runs, hoping that this routine will prepare me for that next big trip. *PT