
Brooks elite runner, Angela Bizarri, traveled every other week to a race during this past spring. Check out her pro tips for running fast while on the road.
When you reach your destination, go for a short little run. Your legs will feel so much better after having been on a plane.
I usually wear compression socks on flights. It makes me feel a little bit better when I land.
If you are racing on the East Coast and you live on the West Coast (or vice versa), the time zone change can be tough on your sleeping schedule. I use melatonin (a natural sleep aid) to help me go to bed at a normal hour and prevent jet lag.
When I’m traveling, I go to chain restaurants where I know what they serve. In the morning, I get my oatmeal at Starbucks. They have the same oatmeal everywhere, and I feel pretty comfortable with that. The night before a race, I like to eat rice and beans and chicken. I’ll go to Qudoba and get a normal bowl without any salsa or cheese.
I usually travel with a water bottle to prevent getting dehydrated from the flight. Another tip: be careful with flip water bottles. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spilled it on the person next to me!
I can be really frantic when I’m traveling. To stay calm and relaxed, I do things that feel normal. I’ll download podcasts that I’ll listen to when I’m going through the airport. It’s a nice way to separate yourself from all the chaos in the airport.