If you are not yet ready to become a paid subscriber, you can support my work with a one time pledge of support:
Since I started working out everyday, and being incredibly active in general, I get very cramped up when I have to sit still for hours. When my wife and I started making somewhat regular ten(ish) hour trips to visit her parents, my glutes set on fire around the five hour mark. The burning was awful and I wondered whether I’d be able to go on, or if I’d have to tap out and check us into a motel (or more likely car camp in a rest stop parking lot).
This awful sensation hadn't happened to me prior to my fitness regimen, which is why I attribute the cramping to my body rejecting a duration of being sedentary that it’s not used to. In prior times, I was able to do a marathon ten hour drive with basically no stopping. But in those days, I was also not really in peak physical shape. Aside from walking from place to place (as you do when you live in New York City), sitting was my modus operandi. I am definitely not nostalgic for those days. Rather, in a sign of growth, I have found a way to deal with discomfort by adapting elements from my active lifestyle that can satisfy me when I have to remain somewhat stationary.
Implementing various physical activities while on the road has helped me feel much better. The first type of activity is in-car exercising at periodic intervals throughout the trip. My routine includes doing glute flexing and ankle pumps, engaging my core and performing isometric presses against the steering wheel. This in addition to taking more rest stops, where I can get out, stretch and do some quick plyometric sets and even jogging around the parking lot (what’s nice is that some rest stops have little “nature” trails), has been am invaluable experience.
I used to drive epic lengths, basically non-stop, because I felt restless being on the road. I wanted to get to my destination as efficiently as possible. Perhaps it's a sign of getting older and wiser that I don't miss being a marathon driver. This transformation has given me permission to slow down and pace myself in other areas of life. Taking more pit stops and active rests enables me to enjoy the countryside and experience things I wouldn’t be able to from being behind the wheel. I also don’t have to feel antsy about missing a workout session due to being on the road, because I am getting it done via my modifications.
The real key to being a so-called “road warrior” is not feeling the need for speed, but rather employing an understanding of how to maintain the longevity of our bodies so that we can comfortably tolerate, and even enjoy long car rides.
I really value your feedback, so if you found this post to be intriguing, please remember to like it and consider leaving a comment below. I'd also be grateful if you shared Artfully Exercising with your friends, family and social network.