Runners have to maintain a healthy lifestyle to participate in marathons and other races. For the most serious runners, everything is controlled from their diet and exercise to their sleep schedules. But no matter what skill level you are at, it is important to have rest days. You can’t run a marathon every single day. Below we have outlined some popular ways that people get around on days when they aren’t running from Point A to Point B.
Public Transportation
That’s right, take the bus! People tend to overlook this option nowadays, but taking the bus is an affordable way to get around without using your legs too much. Subway systems offer the same benefits if you happen to live in a city with one. But oftentimes people have to walk a long ways to get to the nearest station. To avoid these extra steps when you’re trying to rest your legs, hop on a bus to get you from your house to the nearest station. Nowadays there are all kinds of apps you can download to help you look up bus routes and subway lines. Most of them even tell you arrival and departure times, so there’s no need to stand around waiting forever.
Rideshare Apps
There are all kinds of rideshare options available nowadays. From Uber and Lyft to smaller start-ups like Flywheel, it’s likely that you have these services no matter where you live. Individual rides can get expensive though, especially during peak travel times during the day. Luckily, most of these services have started offering ‘carpool’ options, where you share a car with other riders. It might take a little longer, but you also save a lot of money.
Car Sharing Services and Rentable Mopeds
In larger cities, there are several options where you can rent cars or mopeds on an app and pick them up right off the street. No need to go to an airport or rental agency across town. Companies like Zipcar and car2go park cars all over the city. Register with the company, download their app and search for the car nearest you. Often it can be right on your block. Because these are ‘shared’ cars, you aren’t responsible for paying for the whole thing. It’s a lot cheaper than owning a vehicle, and it still gives you all the benefits of having a car. One of the best parts about this option is that you get to travel on your own schedule. It’s also useful if you have to do a lot of shopping and don’t want to lug around heavy bags on the train or bus.
Recently several cities have also launched similar options with rentable mopeds instead of cars. For safety, you must wear a helmet, and there is a maximum speed the moped can go. So it’s not as fast, but it’s even cheaper than car sharing.
Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards, etc.
Finally, sometimes nothing beats hopping on a bike, scooter or skateboard to get where you’re going. There are all kinds of rentable options too. Many cities have docking stations where you can rent a bike. In some places, there are even services where rentable scooters and skateboards are parked right on the sidewalk. Again, register with the company, download their app, and hop on at the click of a button. If you’re worried your legs won’t get enough rest from riding a traditional skateboard, there are motorized versions available. Electric bikes have been popular for a long time, and electric scooters and skateboards have been gaining popularity in recent years. There aren’t as many rentable options for these, but they are very affordable if you choose to buy one for yourself. Just be sure to know what to look for when you go shopping. There are all kinds of styles out there. It’s a good idea to check out buyer’s guides that come with a full review of each board on sale. That way, you can be sure that you are getting the right model for you and getting the most out of your rest days.