Vacation ≠ Motivation

As you know we spent a few days in the Bahamas last week. And, it was nothing short of awesome. Leading up to our trip I spent countless hours and hundreds of miles running to get into shape for said vacation (as well as train for a few 1/2 marys along the way).

Pretty much the minute the plane wheels landed in Nassau I kicked my running shoes, and motivation, to the curb.

This is not to say I didn't workout  at all. I did. The first full morning on the island Scott thought he'd be a gem and set the alarm for 6:30. What.the.hell?! After hitting the snooze button approximately 271 times we rolled out of bed. Not sure what I was, or wasn't thinking, but I grudgingly stepped on the "dread"mill and doled out about 3 miles. I hated every step. How do people run on those things? YUCK.

The next two mornings were spent taking my sweet time waking up. Scott, the crazy workout-aholic he is, would wake up with the sun and get his workout in. I, on the other hand, was more than happy to stay nestled up in the comfy down comforter with the AC blasting away at -10 degrees. Seriously, what sounds more enticing? At 7:00AM, absolutely nothing. My rationale behind all this? I never get to sleep in. Seize the opportunity. AmIright? (This is where you nod furiously in agreement and say, "Why, of course you're right!")

Sure, there were times throughout the days when I could have laced up and pounded out a few miles. But, I didn't want to miss a single second of that tropical sun, or forego a nap that was inevitable while lounging at the pool. A pool nap wins out over running almost every.single.time. Ask anyone, I'm pretty sure it's a known fact.

On our last morning I decided I had to quit being such a slackass. I threw on my shoes and said, "Skip it," to the treadmill. To the beach I headed.

Holy geez, I've run beaches before. Plenty of 'em. We even did an entire 5k obstacle course on a soft, sandy beach. That does not make up for the fact that beach running is no joke. It took twice as long to run two miles as it normally does. Stopping to snap a few photos of the picturesque scene doesn't help with timed running, either. Whoopsie. :)

Though my GSP wasn't working well and my Pandora wasn't working at all I really did enjoy the run. In all reality, there's no need for Pandora when you have the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore, just steps from your feet.

My 2 mile time might have been a little better had I not been playing photographer, sea shell discoverer, and sand writer. But, there's no fun in that!

Of course, after I finished my run I felt great. I was kicking myself for not running every morning along the beach. Why do I do this to myself?!

Am I alone in this? I cannot possibly be the only person who loves to workout in "real life," but allows it to take a backseat while on vacation, can I?

What do YOU do to stay on top of your bust-a-sweat game while you're on vacation? I need all the tips, tricks and secrets I can get.