From Takeoff to Finish Line: 5 Travel Tips for Your Destination Race

Feb 20

Whether you're traveling to race this weekend or have a destination race of your own planned, here are a few tips to help you arrive feeling fresh, prepared, and ready to fly! A little planning goes a long way.

1. Hydration Starts Now

Travel—whether by car or plane—can leave you feeling stiff and dehydrated. Start increasing your water intake now and continue sipping throughout the trip. If you're driving, plan a few stops to get out, stretch, and keep the blood flowing.

2. Pack Like a Pro

Lay out your race gear before you leave. That means shoes, socks, race outfit, watch, nutrition, and anything else you need on race day. Pack an extra set of everything—because nobody wants to scramble for replacement socks at a gas station the night before a race.

3. Stick to Your Routine

Travel can throw your body out of rhythm. Try to eat foods you’re used to, get in some light movement after long travel periods, and stick to your normal bedtime. The last thing you want is a stomach issue or bad sleep messing with race day. Don’t end up lost in the woods on race weekend

4. Shake Out the Stiffness

A short, easy run or dynamic stretching session after you arrive will help loosen up your legs and reset your body. Even 10-15 minutes of light movement can make a big difference in how you feel on race morning.

5. Control the Controllables

Flights get delayed, hotel rooms have thin walls, and sometimes the pre-race dinner spot has a two-hour wait. Control what you can—your gear, hydration, mindset—and roll with the rest. A relaxed attitude keeps stress levels low and energy high.

Wherever you are racing this year, should be a fun trip trip, and if you take care of the little things ahead of time, you'll show up ready to run your best. See you at the starting line!

- Coach Josh

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Josh Jackson

Josh ( LMBT #19673) began his massage career after many years of working in retail. In need of a life change, he pursued a diploma in massage therapy. After experiencing the benefits of massage to aiding his own running and recovery, Josh knew he found his calling in sports massage. Josh excels in working with people coming back from injuries, recovering from muscular surgeries, and working to increase range of motion and flexibility. He has worked with collegiate and professional athletes, age group record holders, CrossFit competitors, triathletes, cyclists, tennis athletes, moms, dads, and many more.

Josh was a multi-sport athlete growing up. He received his bachelors degree in Business Management from the University of Georgia. Following years of a sedentary lifestyle, in college, he picked up hiking as a new hobby to help preserve his physical and mental health. Hiking led to trail running and trail running has led to an obsession with ultra marathon running and racing at all distances. Josh has trained for and competed in races from 5k to 50 miles, finding most success in longer trail races with difficult terrain.

When he is not practicing massage, he is training for the next race or exploring new trails with his dogs. If you want to take increase your athletic performance and feel better doing so, sports massage with Josh is what you need.