Spring sports practices have begun, and for sophomore Shelby Hall, that means hard soccer drills every day after school. Regardless of the energy-draining workouts, Hall loves the sport because her team is like a second family to her. Plus, it allows Hall and her sisters to have a common activity they all like. But with spring break coming up, she worries that not getting any exercise and losing that stamina will result in her coach and teammates being disappointed in her.

In the beginning of the season, while athletes are working on their endurance, many tend to let that hardcore schedule slack when spring break rolls around. While out of the state, the thought of workouts tend to slip from the mind.

According to RunnersConnect, a website dedicated to helping athletes improve their fitness and stamina, after 12 days of inactivity from already-in-shape runners, levels of enzymes in the blood associated with endurance performance had dropped by 50 percent.

So, instead of having to work ten times as hard when practice kicks back in, this how-to will help keep athletes in shape while away from home.

The very first task is done the week before the trip. Every night after practice, write down what the workout was. This will help with the schedule soon to be created.

Next, while on the long drive or flight, research. Find out what kind of places are around the neighborhood. See if there is a beach nearby that is good for a morning jog, or if there are bikes to rent.

“I like running on the beach because the ocean breeze helps relieve stress more than normal running does,” sophomore Faith Whitt said. “Also, the sand between your toes feels great.”

Finally, the workout schedule is born. Using the knowledge of the surroundings in the community and the previous week’s workouts, construct the training schedule. Do not forget to include warm-ups and cool-downs. Now, it is just up to the athlete to actually execute the drills.