TRAINING FOR THE LA MARATHON WHILE TRAVELING: 5 Lessons I Learned Running Abroad
It’s been so long since being home that I’ve already forgotten the smell of running down Broadway in Chinatown on a Thursday night, after burning four miles through LA Historic. My clothes no longer carry the roasted scent of Boxx Coffee after hanging around post–Slow Sunday, killing a little extra time before slipping back into my usual routine.
At this point, it’s been about eight weeks since I’ve heard one of Tommy’s speeches. But in less than 48 hours, I’ll finally be back — fighting jet lag and trying to find my way back into the groove.
For those who didn’t know, I’ve been away traveling and working across Asia. There’s plenty to share about the experience itself, but I left the States with a specific goal: to maintain my marathon training for LA while abroad. I told myself — and plenty of others — how difficult this would be. And somehow, it ended up being even harder than I imagined.
As confident as I don’t feel returning to this Saturday Push run (especially knowing the team just crushed 15+ miles), I learned a ton trying to train while traveling.
For anyone thinking about traveling while training, here are the top five things I learned while juggling adventure, discipline, and reality.
1) Your schedule is bound to change
I told myself over and over that I’d stick to a certain weekly mileage. But when you travel, things change — sometimes for the better. Like tickets suddenly becoming available to see the latest teamLab installation in Kyoto. Other times… you’re just more hungover than expected after bar-hopping across Taipei and karaoke-ing until sunrise.
2) Take your environment into consideration
Take the good and the bad — but always take your surroundings into account. Asia has been one of the safest places I’ve ever run in any direction, which is something I absolutely loved. There’s nothing like heading out with no route, zig-zagging through neighborhoods, and figuring out your way back to wherever you’re staying.
That said, safety doesn’t mean ease. I nearly threw up trying to run four miles behind a wall of scooters during rush hour. Sidewalks become shared spaces — with bikes, elders, and elders on bikes — and you’re constantly adapting.
3) Your body and health aren’t the same when traveling
For me, the most damaging part of training was my bizarre and inconsistent sleep schedule. I was working night shifts from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. (sometimes 9 a.m.), trying to stitch together six or seven hours of sleep, explore the city, and still hit my run goals.
Sleep fell short. My runs fell short.
I even hurt my back trying to push through an F45 workout like I was still at home. (Side note: I highly recommend F45 while traveling if you struggle to stay consistent — I’ve done it in Colombia, London, and plenty of other places.)
And nothing will completely derail your training faster than food poisoning — spending two nights curled up in the fetal position, rebuilding your strength and your trust in the world.
4) Look up when you run or hike
Running in LA, I’m usually staring at the ground — dodging potholes, trash, someone’s leftover Prince Street Pizza, and everything in between. There’s not much incentive to look up beyond basic safety.
But running in new cities forces you to see things differently. From the mix of old and new architecture in Taipei to the autumn colors spilling through the streets of Tokyo, each run became less about pace and more about gratitude.
5) Sometimes, goals need to be suggestions
This one was tough. I know — I know — I should stick to the plan. But travel brings out every version of you. One day you’re canyoneering, the next you’re out late singing your heart out at karaoke.
I’d go to bed planning for ten miles, be happy if I ran at all, and eventually settle for six miles in the brutal humidity of Cebu, Philippines.
Bonus Lesson: Asia is elite for carb-loading
One unexpected win: Asia might be the best place in the world to carb-load. Onigiri are available on nearly every corner. Noodles are everywhere. Rice is unavoidable — in the best way.
And especially in Taiwan, where breakfast somehow manages to be carbs on top of carbs. Zero judgment. Honestly? No notes.
This is just a small portion of what I learned trying to train for a marathon while traveling. It wasn’t pretty — and sometimes it barely existed at all. But it also holds some of my favorite memories from seeing new parts of Asia.
If you’ve traveled while training, what surprised you the most? What worked — and what didn’t? Drop your tips and tricks below. I definitely focused more on vibes than miles this time around.