Summer has officially begun and you’re probably packing your bags for a much anticipated vacation.  It is easy to slack off on your training routine in the excitement of summer travel, but that is not going to get you to your fitness goals.  Getting back into the swing of things after taking time off can feel like starting over.  The best way to avoid that is to figure out how to train during your vacation – and it’s really not that hard to do!  Try some of these tips to stay on schedule during your summer travels:

Train first thing in the morning

Get your training done first thing before you talk yourself out of it or get too wrapped up in your day.  Wake up an hour earlier if you have to.  A morning run can beat the heat later in the day.  Track your route in advance with MapMyRun, USA Track & Field’s routes, or Runner’s World Route Finder.  Once you get the training out of the way, the rest of your day is freed up to enjoy sightseeing and other activities.  Most hotels have gyms, so if weather or safety concerns prevent you from getting outdoors, hop on the treadmill and get your miles in.

Do more than run

Don’t just stop at running; use this opportunity to cross train.  There are a variety of exercises at your disposal.  You can pack light-weight resistance bands that don’t take up much space in your luggage or simply do bodyweight exercises right in your hotel room.

Find a local gym

While you are planning the vacation, look for hotels that have gyms.  If your hotel doesn’t have one, ask around and find a gym nearby.  Many gyms sell day passes or thirty-day memberships that will allow you to continue training like you’re at home.

Use cross training to your advantage

Does your vacation include hiking, surfing, or kayaking?  Even sightseeing usually involves walking several miles, so these vacation activities themselves may be enough to maintain fitness levels. Rather than lounging on the beach, why not do a little swimming or body surfing in the ocean?  There are a lot of creative workout options that you can weave into your vacation to keep your training moving along.

Try a pool workout

Does your hotel have a pool?  Get a few laps in, climb back out and do 10 pushups, and then jump into the water again for some more laps.  Shoot for 10 reps.  If you don’t want to swim laps, but you still want to do something, try these ab exercises.

Enjoy your vacation

Vacation is not necessarily the time to over-train, but it also isn’t time to quit training.  Take it easy, and don’t focus too much on hitting a certain pace or mileage while running.  A steady, even pace is more than enough to maintain your fitness level.  You can certainly reduce the duration and intensity of your workouts, but don’t neglect to stay active.  If you are careful not to slack off during the vacation, it will only take a few days to get back to your normal training routine and crush it once you’re back home.

How do you manage to train while on vacation? Tell us in the comments below.