New Place, New Pace: Why Running on Holiday Could Change Everything
Want to Start Running but Don’t Know Where to Begin? Try Taking Your Trainers on Holiday
Let me guess.
You keep telling yourself you want to run again. Or maybe for the first time ever.
You scroll past reels of smiling runners at sunrise, feel that little nudge of envy… then promptly overthink it into oblivion:
"What if someone sees me?" "I don’t look like a runner." "I’ll start when I feel more confident."
Sound familiar?
Here’s a truth bomb for you: waiting to feel confident before you start running is like waiting for your toddler to nap perfectly so you can relax. It might happen… but let’s not bet your sanity on it.
If you’ve been stuck in start-again limbo, I want to offer you a fresh idea:
Take your trainers on holiday.
Here’s 5 reasons why running on holiday might just be the confidence-reset you need:
1. Nobody Knows You There (Freedom from Judgement)
A 2022 Sport England report found that 63% of women avoid exercise because of body image worries or fear of judgment. Sixty-three percent.
That’s not laziness. That’s self-consciousness, perfectionism, and comparison in action.
But on holiday?
No one knows your story. No one cares what you look like in leggings. And you’re far less likely to bump into Becky from baby sensory.
That anonymity is freedom. And sometimes, a new place is the perfect space to try something new without the mental chatter.
Mindset Shift: Confidence isn’t a prerequisite. It’s a result.
Try this: Lay your kit out the night before. Go for a short walk/run first thing. No expectations. Just movement.
2. Holidays Are Already Relaxing (So Use That Energy)
Ever noticed how holiday-you wakes up before the kids and actually enjoys the quiet?
There’s less pressure. Fewer time constraints. And a blissful absence of packed lunches.
Which means your nervous system is calmer. And you’re more open to trying something for you.
Running in that early stillness can become sacred: a mini escape within the escape.
Mindset Shift: You don’t need a strict plan. You need a soft window.
Try this: Choose one morning to run/walk before breakfast. Bonus points if it includes a sunrise. Even better? Set yourself the simple goal of just getting up and out on day one. Walk, run, mix both — no pressure. Just start. That small first win sets the tone.
3. Movement Outdoors Is Scientifically Proven to Boost Your Mood
A study from the University of Essex found that just five minutes of outdoor movement boosts mood and self-esteem. Other research shows that exercising in natural environments (as opposed to indoors) significantly reduces feelings of tension, anger, and depression while increasing energy levels and overall psychological wellbeing.
Nature-based movement taps into our nervous system, helping lower cortisol and stimulate serotonin. It’s like a nervous system reset in motion.
Fresh air + novelty + endorphins = mental reset.
And when you're on holiday, everything feels more vibrant. Even a 12-minute jog through sleepy streets can feel like soul-care.
Mindset Shift: Exercise isn’t punishment. It’s permission.
Try this: Treat your holiday run as your mindset anchor—not a "workout." Take in the smells, the sounds, the views. Let it feel good.
4. You See More When You Run (And It Feels Like Play)
Walking is lovely. But running? It’s like switching the lens to wide-angle.
You find hidden alleyways. Sunlight on tiled rooftops. The quiet hum of a town waking up.
You get to experience the place as a local, not a tourist. And yes, movement can be magic.
Running also offers something powerful: autonomy. You pick the route. You choose the pace. You decide the moment. There’s no instructor barking orders or routine dictating the flow. It’s you and your body. That can feel vulnerable at first, but it’s also what builds strength.
Autonomy is one of the most important elements of sustainable habits. Because when you’re in control, you’re more likely to return to it again and again.
Mindset Shift: Running isn’t about performance. It’s about perspective and personal power.
Try this: Pick a route with views: beach path, riverside, city streets. Run slow. Stop for photos. Make it part of the adventure.
5. You Break the All-or-Nothing Cycle Before It Starts
If you’re a mum, you know the script:
"I can’t start now… we’ve got a trip coming up." "I’ll wait until we’re home and in routine."
But guess what? Life never stays in routine.
Starting during a holiday - when you’re out of your usual rhythm - proves to your brain that movement can be flexible. It doesn’t need ideal conditions.
And that belief? It sticks.
Mindset Shift: You don’t need the perfect time. You need a brave first step.
Try this: Journal for 5 minutes post-run. Note how you feel emotionally, not physically. Let your feelings guide your future.
Final Thoughts: This Isn’t About Running. It’s About Reclaiming You.
Taking your trainers on holiday isn’t about streaks, stats, or sweaty selfies.
It’s about identity. It’s about joy. It’s about remembering what it feels like to move because you want to.
When no one’s watching. When the pressure is off. When you let yourself take up space again.
So pack your kit. Dust off your mindset. And run into the next version of you: one brave, beautiful step at a time.
Share your holiday running photo and tag me @itsemmapickford. I’d love to cheer you on!