What if the secret to a more authentic holiday experience was already sitting in your wardrobe? For Metro's Lifestyle Editor, Kristina Beanland, packing running shoes has become as essential as remembering her passport.
From Reluctant Runner to Holiday Convert
Kristina never considered herself one of those people
when she first agreed to run a 10km back in 2016. Yet nearly a decade later, she's shocked to find herself a committed runner - the only form of exercise she's consistently maintained while her gym membership burns a hole in her account every month.
I know runners are objectively annoying,
she admits, acknowledging the obsession with PBs, energy gels and favourite trainer brands (she's converted to Hoka, for the record). So to suggest you should run on holiday surely singles me out as the biggest running wanker of them all.
The Moment Everything Changed
The transformation began during a marathon training run while on holiday in Jersey. Initially dreading leaving her cosy hotel, she soon discovered that running along beaches and through quaint Franco-British towns felt less like exercise and more like genuine exploration.
It certainly beat my usual laps around a soggy south London park,
she recalls. This revelation led to packing trainers for Chicago, where a 5km along Lake Michigan became unforgettable. Since then, she's run beneath Mauritius' volcanic landscape, among Dubai's palm trees, and alongside Sydney's Opera House.
Not every attempt succeeded - a planned run in Orlando was abandoned when she discovered the lack of pavements and didn't fancy being an alligator's breakfast.
More Than Just Exercise
Kristina emphasises this isn't about pressuring anyone to exercise on holiday. If all you want to do is lounge around with a cocktail, I fully support that,
she states, adding that sampling culinary delights and experiencing at least one raging 10/10 hangover remain essential holiday components.
The real value lies in experiencing destinations like a local. You get an idea of what people there do with their Saturday mornings,
she explains. You discover beautiful parks or coastal boardwalks you'd never otherwise find, and running routes often end with cute cafes serving the best coffee in the city.
There are practical benefits too. For long-haul travellers, running can help combat jet lag. Research suggests exercising around 7am or between 1pm and 4pm helps re-establish circadian rhythms disrupted by time zone changes. The endorphins provide an energy boost after tiring travel days, and it offers valuable alone time when travelling with others.
Kristina acknowledges readers might be rolling your eyes so far back you can see yourself think,
but hopes she's tempted some to consider a run, jog or stroll on their next trip - even if it's just for the Strava kudos.
