How we get to most marathons. I’ve tried telling Angie that two 26.2 stickers is redundant.

We’ve literally driven from one coast to another (and seemingly everywhere in between).

Most of our trips are by car and include the whole family. Here’s how we stay healthy (and sane) while traveling across the country with our kids.

How We Stay Healthy On the Road

1. We always bring an ice chest.  Obviously this works better when you’re driving. The food we bring usually includes: baby carrots, almonds or other nuts, cucumber, avocado, meat and cheese, yogurt, apples, hard boiled eggs, UCAN bars, kombucha, etc. We try to limit our eating out to once per day for budgetary and health reasons.




2. Water bottles for all. We must have 5 gallons of water at all times 🙂  Angie’s rule is that WATER MUST BE ACCESSIBLE! We typically only let our kids have water in the car (much easier if it spills) and at restaurants (to avoid the post-sugar wildness).




3. We try to control our sleep environment (sound machines, pillows from home) and get as much rest as possible. This is especially important in the days leading up to a marathon. If you can stay at a nice (yet affordable) hotel like the Drury Hotels it’s like a travel oasis at the end of a long day in the car.




4. For stiffness after a marathon we run around at rest stops and do some brief stretching. We also travel with a lacrosse ball for targeting sore areas. It’s also helpful to do as much walking as possible. Try to park further away from your destination and take the stairs if possible.




5. Angie brings all her normal supplements on the road to maintain as much normalicy as possible. Taking Tissue Rejuvinator after a race is very effective in reducing inflammation. She also travel with Young Living Essential oils like Thieves to support the immune system, peppermint for the digestive system and lavender which is helpful for promoting relaxation.




6. Wearing compression socks can help with stiffness after a marathon. If you can do an ice bath post-race that really helps too. I often travel with a baggie of Epsom salt to do a bath the day after the race to reduce soreness.




7. We bring movies for the kids and headphones for our own mental sanity along with books. We will also do a quiet reading hour once a day when the children are not allowed to talk. This often makes them fall asleep (which any parent will know is a beautiful thing). 




8. Most of our vacations are “runcations” which makes them inherently more healthy. We also try to look for educational experiences for our kids, like seeing state capitals or whatever the area is known for.

Checking out of a hotel somewhere. Gavin is holding my coffee (he’s too young to drink).

Liam is a happy fellow traveller.

Some of the cool places we took the kids this year whilst traveling to marathons

Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Colorado. Every child has an inner mountain goat waiting to be released.

Arches National Park, Moab, Utah. Matching hats are mandatory in Utah.

With Grandpa on the Washington Coast. Enjoying the sunshine in the Pacific Northwest!

Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines. Does this count as a cool place to visit?

Lincoln Memorial, Washingtion D.C. Liam has perfected the squatting thumbs up for this occasion.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.. Just visiting for an hour raises your IQ.