I’ve been training for The Catalina Classic Paddleboard race , on schedule and doing well, however I have a family vacation coming up next week away from any possibility of paddling for 7 days. Catalina is 3 weeks out, so I’ll be back in the water at 2 weeks out and will resume the Riding Bumps prescribed plan.

I’m wondering if you have any thoughts on what I can do to keep fit/strong while away on that 3rd week out. I was thinking hotel stairs? hotel pool? medicine ball or pilates in hotel rooms? running?

Fist things first.

1. Don’t panic. The bottom will not fall out. The day in and day out training over the course of weeks and years is what gets you to the finish line. Missing a few workouts wont destroy your race. You might even find that the extra rest is beneficial.
2. Don’t resent your time with the family. Unless you are a professional racer, try to keep things in perspective. Sometimes our  race goals get the best of us. Once catalina is done and your back, knees, shoulders, and elbows are trashed and you are sitting in a rocking chair on the porch when you are older, your family will be there and Catalina will just be an Island off the coast of California.
3. Don’t do activities you have not been doing. For example, cross training is good but if you are not a runner and you have not been running, don’t start now. Similarly, Pilates or other class workout is fine but if it is not something you have been doing maybe it is not the best time to start right before your race. Moreover, class instructors don’t know about your other goals. Be careful in class situations to remember that Catalina is your goal – not getting through a grueling class session.

If you can do #1 and #2, the rest is easy. Just get a little creative. If you can find a pool, do some light swimming when you are away. Chances are you can find a gym so you can keep on your gym routine. As you know, cross training such as running is always good (but only if you have been doing it previously).

The trick is to keep your head screwed on straight once you get back. Too many people will add in workouts or try to make up for lost time and ignore their taper, shorten their taper, or play other taper games. Don’t do that.

When you get back, get in some good quality for three days and do the full 10 day taper in the program. For example, you could do a hard interval session when you get back then two days later do a steady tempo 10 miles. After that, taper down for 10 days as planned.