I am thinking about switching jobs. The new job would require weekly plane travel every week. Do any of you have that much travel and how do you fit training in with the travel? Is it possible to train for IM and travel every week.
Thanks in Advance
Rob
I may be able to offer a bit of advice, as I am a very frequent traveller. I prepare for olympic-distance tris while on the road. However, first what is/are destination(s) of your said travel? Domestic or international destinations? Business class or cattle class?
Hate to be a big downer but it will be tough. Lot depends on the type of work you trael to do.
I traveled for wark for years, my job was pretty demanding with 10 -14 hr. days, dinners and lunches with staff, and the usual airport problems.
All this adds up to traing problesm…
I switched jobs and now travel about once every 4 to 6 weeks. It is always to nice places and done first class (not necessarily first class air). I would to a fair degree consider my self a travel pro, and I still find that when I travel my training suffers. I really love going places for my job, but I have had to decided which I want more, job travel or tris. I have picked tris. I actually send the staff in my place more ofter.
BE careful and really think about what you are getting into. Research what the travel will be like. Some companies are nict picky about cost, the stingyer they are the harder it is on you.
In my previous job, I spent ~2 weeks per month on the road. Fortunately, lots of it was in San Jose/Palo Alto, so even through I had a cross continent flight often, I was flying to an area conducive to training, with lots of local tri guys. I tried to line up all my meetings for after 9:30 am, so I could train from 5:30 to 8:30 am. My evenings were usually shot with biz related dinners. If I knew I’d be in one spot for >4 days, I’d even bring my bike, but mainly, I would use road weeks as run focuses and I would compliment with weight training at a local gym to work my biking and swimminig muscles. I did several 10-11 hour Ironman races on this routine. Just make sure you get some bike miles in when you are at home. You might have to reduce your racing program, cause otherwise you will be on the road with work and away from home on weekends going to races. If you happen to have a young family, it would not be great scene on the home front. Plus, you’d never get any Ironman training done (i.e. moderate to long rides)
I read an interesting magazine article by Jeff Galloway (or one of those marathon guys) where he said he would run near, or through, the big airports. Like Atlanta for instance, he would do loops for an hour on the underground tunnel connecting all the concourses. He said he’d then go into the bathroom, sponge himself down with baby wipes, change clothes, and get on the airplane. I’ve never had the guts to do this, but it seems like a great way to spend 2-hour layovers at the airport.
Rob,
It sounds like some of the posters here have been much more successful at travelling and training than I was.
FWIW I spent all of 2002 and most of 2003 travelling every week, leaving on Sunday night or early Monday morning and not returning until Friday evening. Saturday was down-time and time to spend with my wife. Sunday was pack and get ready to leave for the week. During the week I was able to run and use the hotel gym to weight train on and off depending upon meetings and dinner schedules. Bottom-line I was not able to race at all in 2002 or 2003 since I was rarely able to find time or the energy to ride. If you decide to do this I sincerely wish you better luck than I had.
Pete
I used my travel time as a run focus. I’d run every morning and most evenings. Luckly I rarely had evening engagements. For international travel buy earplugs, eyeshades and get a rx for ambien. I’d end up sleeping 80-85% of the 10 hr flight. It was actually some of the best sleep I got. 1 beer and 1 ambien does the trick!
running is a great way to see a strange city. Just take a map and some money for a cab just in case.