Hello from the sky! I’m on my way to Boston and trying to get the most out of the $$$ plane internet. It is freaking expensive!! But, I also am so super productive on flights because I have nothing else to do besides work.
I flew out of LAX so it was a hectic morning of battling traffic and parking and all that jazz. I just realized that even though I travel a lot I’ve never driven myself to LAX. I’ve driven/parked at the OC airport and Long Beach so I know the drill there, but this was a little bit of a new adventure on that end.
Fun Monican fact: I have more energy than any one person should. (See: Always running and eating and dancing around in public like a weirdo.)
So that means I get super antsy on flights.
It is really really hard for me to sit still through a movie let alone a 5 hour cross country plane ride! But, I have done dozens of long flights between traveling to the east coast for races and Ben being from FL and my only friend living in Boston.
Tips for Beating Boredom on Long Flights
1. Reading materials. Bring something GOOD to read. I ‘save’ good books or magazines for traveling. Short trashy magazines don’t last long. Today I have a novel with me and a few running magazines.
2. Electronics. Make sure your electronics are fully charged. I also travel with an extra battery!
3. FOOD. Snacks! Traveling makes me hungry. I don’t know if it’s out of boredom or what, but I just feel snacky.
I try to pack plenty of easy to eat foods like grapes, string cheese, cereal in a baggie, trail mix… and then when I pull them out of my bag I yell, “SNACKS ON A PLANE!!!”
4. Get comfy. If you are Californian like this Monican you are likely traveling in sandals. Planes can be cold so I always pack a pair of socks in my carry on and a sweater.
I also aim to travel in comfy clothes that don’t make me look like I just rolled out of bed. This usually means leggings, a soft tank top and sweater or long sleeve top. I’m actually not wearing sandals today since I won’t need them in Boston but am sporting my Sanuk slip-ons.
5. Red eye flights… for red eye flights I full on come equipped with a neck pillow (I actually lost mine in China and want this super cute polka dot one), eye mask, ear plugs and a comfy hoodie.
I have been told “you’re prepared!!” on an overnight flight before. Yes I am.
6. Healthy helpers. Water bottle – flights are dehydrating with all that recycled dry air. Emergen-c! Speaking of recycled air… germs. I try to get in some extra Vitamin C via a supplement or OJ.
Leave your travel tips for the class below 
Now let’s talk races for a second…
Race Discounts and Coupon Codes
Rock N Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon registration opened yesterday. My RNR Discount code doesn’t work on this race right now (Boo.) but the price is the lowest it’s going to be right now, so register if you’re in!
If you are interested in any other RNR races use code RUNEATREPEAT15 for $15.00 off!!
And the Avocado Half Marathon is coming up in May!
- Fallbrook, CA (near San Diego)
- May 23
- Discount code: RUNEATAVO for $10.00 off
I do a ton of stretches and get weird looks from surrounding passengers!
I also drink A LOT of water, and if it’s long haul, take a sleeping pill.
I’m actually waiting at the airport for a flight right now at 5am – when I read your “snacks on a plane” comment I just burst out laughing! Some people stared at me 🙂
I don’t typically register for 5Ks but there just happens to be a Chardonnay 5K in Chicago this summer! Quick evening run around Grant Park followed by wine and live music in the park. Can’t say no to that!
Have fun in Boston!
haha this post had me cracking up. i always take an eye mask with me — and ear plugs — b/c i like to sleep as much as possible on planes. my bff is food-obsessed as well and whenever we travel together, she’d have a whole carry-on just with food — even for a 3 hour flight. i’m lucky if i remember to bring a banana and a granola bar.
If I could do lunges up and down the aisle, I would tolerate flying so much more patiently. I usually read or stare creepily at other passengers, but I keep saying planes need to install flip-down foot cycles so you can feel like you’re moving and, hey, maybe burn some calories. Can someone please pay me for this idea and then institute it?
I fall asleep so fast on planes and usually stay asleep the whole time. I get really bad motion sickness so I can’t read or anything… I take a Tylenol pm (just one or a half of one) and I’m good for the duration of the flight.
Awesome tips. I am with you on all of them. It’s so important to be prepared. Snacks on snacks on snacks. Also for super long flights a tip:
Bring baby wipes to maybe freshen up!
I just doze off and I’ve learnt not to eat anything heavy during flights (to avoid jet lag).
I always have snacks and something to read on flights. On SUPER long flights I sometimes manage to sleep, but most of the time I can’t sleep on planes.
I have a 10K trail race that’s put on by REI next weekend and then my second half marathon of the year in Rhinebeck, NY, in May. 🙂
I’ve had too many long flights since I’m from Europe and my husband from the US. Now we’re both in California which is great! I usually read or watch movies on the flight. The harder part is to deal with the jetlag! Enjoy Boston!
I always have a Luna bar! I also have my Kindle paperwhite, mini iPad, magazines, my headphones, and sometimes a word search.
Are you really reading a book in German? How wordly!
Is it really weird that that was my only question??
Ha!I am the saddest person in the world because after I finished this post I went to read my book and realized it was in German 🙁 Flynn is my favorite author right now so I’m super bummed and now I don’t have a novel for the flight back!
I used to fly a LOT, as I worked as a sober transport (I did interventions and then would fly the person to rehab. Or, would fly a person from rehab to a new rehab, or rehab to court, or detox to wilderness, etc.) I used to get all freaked out, now? I pass right out. I usually always bring socks with me in my purse, bc i do NOT want to walk through security barefoot. I allow myself the treat of a running magazine, unless I’ve already read it and then I get a book. A GOOD book. I read really quickly, so I tend to finish books mid flight. Otherwise, I just make sure I have my xanax 😉 and some snacks and I am on my way! I miss Boston :\ Say hello to my home for me!!
(also, we can totally be friends. I live in Los Angeles and run all the same races and LOVE avocado.)
I use to read novels on flights but now I read Dr. Seuss and entertain a three-year-old. There is also a lot of finger crossing involved that he is not “that kid” on the flight. Ha ha. Actually, he is really good unless he is tired. He loves to socialize to I often feel bad for the person we sit next to. LOL. He ends up wanting to read them a story.
I definitely bring lots of snacks bc for some reason I am always a hungry maniac on flights. I also like to read so I bring lots of books or magazines. I haven’t gotten into doing actual work on a flight, but who knows, that may be next. Have a safe flight!
i sleep. like actually have a contest with myself to see how long i can sleep.
I was so proud of myself for sleeping a lot on my China flight! I did a contest that time kinda 😉
I love doing the crosswords in the back of in-flight magazines. I’ll swap mine around with other people if the one in my pocket’s already done!
I never think to do those!
I like to wear a big scarf that doubles as a blanket on red-eye flights.
Have a great flight!
Good tip! Thanks 🙂
I love my Sanuks! I wish I could wear sandals all year round but not possible in Pennsylvania so Sanuks are the next best thing. Also I love the “snacks on a plane” comment haha
I love Sanuks! I kinda discovered them on accident after I was getting a blister from other sandals and had to buy something while traveling and now I’m obsessed.