Running Through Tulum: Workout Adventure

Spring break in Tulum, Mexico, meant swapping my usual track for palm-lined roads and early morning workouts. Tuesday’s training schedule had two threshold sessions: a morning running workout and a bike workout in the afternoon. I thought about finding a track by the beach or a gym with a treadmill, but with a packed itinerary, I had to be efficient. I was ready to go at 6:30 AM, but it was still dark, so I waited for the sun to rise before stepping out of the hotel. At 6:45 AM, I laced up and headed to the nearest flat road I could find.

My warm-up was a two-mile jog through a busy morning scene—cars, bikes, motorcycles, and people already starting their day. Even a few friendly dogs were out playing. If my mom had been on this trip, she definitely would have found me a safer place to run, but oh well, this was part of the Tulum experience!

The workout? 4 reps of 1 mile at 6:10min/mile pace, with a one-minute recovery. After warming up and doing drills, I chose Avenida Kukulkán—a long road leading to the beach that didn’t force me to stop every 100 meters like the main highway.  

Just as I started, one of those friendly dogs decided to join me…

   

It kept sprinting ahead, then doubling back toward me, which was cute in theory but kind of nerve-wracking mid-workout. So, my first mile was a little off—6:33. After a quick walk break, I dialed in and hit 6:10, 6:11, and 6:09 for the next three reps. Happy with how everything turned out considering the unexpected running buddy.

Despite the slightly chaotic setting, I loved soaking in the morning atmosphere—passing taco stands prepping for the day, people heading to work, construction sites buzzing, and packed trucks transporting workers.

    

If you’re ever running in Tulum, I’d recommend Avenida Coba for a safer route, but Kukulkán was an adventure on its own. Pro tip: bring a small water bottle, or tuck some cash into your phone case in case you need to stop at a gas station or street store. I made a quick stop at a 7-Eleven to grab an electrolyte drink before starting my cool down. I went with a FlashLyte in strawberry flavor, so I could replenish electrolytes lost through sweat and keep my hydration levels balanced. After an intense morning session, it was exactly what I needed to cool down and recharge.

I wrapped up with a two-mile cool-down back to the hotel and immediately jumped into the pool—arguably the best way to finish a run. Then it was time for a full day of sun, water, and fun.  

The second workout of the day happened much later—actually, at midnight. It was a bike session: 20-minute warm-up, 5x3-minute efforts with a minute rest, and a 10-minute cool-down. I did it at the hotel gym, which had such a cool late-night vibe—dim lighting, a pool view, and palm trees swaying outside. Even though I was exhausted, I weirdly enjoyed it. And of course, I ended the day the same way I started it—with another dip in the pool.  

  

If you're ever in Tulum and need any recommendations, let me know! It’s our last day here, and while I’m sad to leave, I’m also ready to get back to the grind and finish this semester strong—both on the track and in the classroom. Peoria, here we come!