Balancing Travel and Being Active
Right now I'm writing this from Lauterbrunnen, a few days removed from speedflying and trail running out of Chamonix, with Italy next on the route through the Chamonix valley again. If you've ever tried to keep training while bouncing between towns, countries, and time zones, you know the real challenge isn't my motivation it's logistics.
Traveling through the Alps is about as good as it gets for staying active without trying too hard. The terrain does a lot of the work. But it also throws curveballs: gear limitations, unpredictable weather, tired legs from the day before, and a schedule that changes based on wind conditions rather than a training plan.
Here's what's actually kept me consistent:
1. Let the terrain set the workout.
I'm not chasing a specific pace or vert target on this trip. Chamonix's trails are steep, technical, and unforgiving — that's the stimulus. Some days it's an easy shakeout run to scout a landing zone. Other days it turns into 6,000+ feet of vert because the trail kept going. Flexibility beats rigidity when you're mobile.
2. Speedflying and trail running are training each other.
This is the part more athletes should pay attention to. Trail running builds the leg strength, downhill control, and cardiovascular base that make hiking to launch — often the hardest part of speedflying — manageable. Speedflying, meanwhile, demands the same core stability, quick decision-making under fatigue, and comfort with exposure that technical trail running requires. They're not two separate hobbies competing for recovery time; they're reinforcing the same athletic base.
3. Recovery is non-negotiable, even mid-trip.
It's tempting to fly and run every single day when the conditions are this good. But launching and running on dead legs is how mistakes happen — especially in the air. One easy day, or one day of just walking and stretching, keeps the next big day sharp instead of sloppy.
4. Pack for movement, not just destinations.
Trail shoes, a lightweight kit, and layers that work for both running and flying meant I didn't have to choose between activities based on what I packed. If you're planning a trip like this, build your gear list around versatility first.
5. Let the location dictate intensity, not your ego.
Chamonix will humble you if you try to force a flat-ground training mentality onto alpine terrain. Lauterbrunnen's a different beast again. Read the mountain, adjust, and let each new place teach you how to move through it.
The bigger takeaway: staying active while traveling isn't about hitting numbers. It's about staying engaged with movement in whatever form the day allows — and letting complementary sports like trail running and speedflying build a base that supports both, wherever you end up next.
Next stop: Italy, through Chamonix again. Legs are tired. Still going.
