Train training
February 12, 2010 7:08 AM   Subscribe

Exercise and/or sleeping on the train?

I'm taking the train from Vt to Florida- Ethan Allen Express and Silver Meteor- 27½ hours plus 1½ hour waiting at NYP. I've got my reading list, a food plan, and some intellectual activities scheduled. What can I do for my body?

I'm happy to sit and read a lot, but I do require some activity in my day. If I were home, I would be playing table tennis or ice hockey or sledding/skiing/snowshoeing. I didn't see any of these mentioned on the Amtrak website. Walking the length of the train and back is fun once or twice, but it doesn't really get the heart pumping. What to do?

I'm going coach, so I'm not expecting to get a lot of sleep, given past experience. What are good ideas for a better sleep experience? (Lots of help in this one , but I won't be sleeping on the floor. ) I don't mind the squeeking and the rocking, but sleeping upright doesn't work well for me. I'm thinking of taking a blanket and maybe a pillow, since those provided are pretty skimpy. Do those neck rests I see in airports work? Plus, I can't remember if the train in winter is too hot or too cold- I'm sure it's one of those. (Or both??)


Bonus question- Good place to get a sandwich/sub/wrap near Penn Station in NYC?

Also checked out these two.
posted by MtDewd to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: There are probably lots of standard exercises you could do sitting down, leg lifts, arm moves, etc.

If you're not concerned about reactions from other passengers I strongly recommend dancing in place. Play some invigorating music as loud as you can stand it on your ipod or other such device, and then dance in your seat. It's a fun challenge! I've done this while stuck in traffic, even more of a challenge cause the roof and the sides and the steering wheel limit mobility.

Have fun!
posted by mareli at 7:35 AM on February 12, 2010


A friend of mine has to travel for business fairly frequently, which involves 10+ hour flights at least several times a month. Like you, he has a lot of trouble sleeping upright, and from how he described it, he would get to his destination as a complete wreck after being awake for the entire flight. So he talked to his doctor about it, and the doctor prescribed him Ambien for those times. Yours sounds like a one-time trip, but yikes, 27 hours hours can be rough if you can't fall asleep. Ambien might be too strong (not to mention your doctor might be less amenable to prescribing it on a one-shot basis like this), but I would definitely stock up on melatonin at least, which is supposed to be an effective over-the-counter sleeping aid.
posted by Pontius Pilate at 7:35 AM on February 12, 2010


Best answer: Any articles on exercising at your desk are pretty applicable. Remeber, you will never see any of your fellow passengers again, so it doesn't matter if they think you're weird.

Even if you normally like a really firm pillow, take your squishiest one with you; the problem for me isn't napping while sitting up, it's napping again in the same sitting-up position I just woke up in. Having a squishy pillow means you can wad it into corners, wrap it under your neck, put it on the tray table in front of you, Make a ball between your ear and your shoulder, etc - lots of variations to change your sleeping position pretty frequently.
posted by aimedwander at 7:37 AM on February 12, 2010


Best answer: As far as sleeping help goes, I recently traintripped from New York City to Seattle, with a 4 hour pause in Chicago, so I have some ideas.

I got this set, of an inflatable pillow, blanket, mask and earplugs which helped considerably. It was in October, and a little cool, but I didn't mind. As it stands now, you may want to take something a bit heavier, but with the Amtrak blanket and the one you get in this kit, you should be all right.

As far as activities are concerned, the walking is a pretty reasonable thing to do, but that'll be about it. If you were going West, as I was, there would be a lower level where the lavatories are, and you could probably get some calisthenics in there, but I don't think that might work on the single-level trains.

As far as getting food, there's a Subway in the station, a couple of delis in there, a pizza place (if you feel like some pizza - it's not great pizza, but it's not terrible), and if you want something very interesting, go out to Seventh Avenue, go down to 348 7th Avenue, and grab something at Supermac. You're in Midtown and there's a lot of places to get something to eat. Also, you're under a Borders, so if you need more reading material, you're clear.
posted by mephron at 7:43 AM on February 12, 2010


I gotta say, if it's at all possible, if you can at all afford it, get a roomette on the Meteor. It's totally worth the exorbitant cost.

The only thing to do is to go for walks. Hang out in the dining / cafe car. For the longer station stops, pop off and back on the train. Unless your area is deserted, don't try to exercise too vigorously, others might be disturbed by your movement. I'd be pretty pissed if I was trying to sleep in coach and you're sweating to the oldies up and down the aisle.

I'm sure you've realized this by now, but train travel is not something that gets the blood pumping for too long.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:52 AM on February 12, 2010


Also, it occurs to me that your car, or a nearby one, may have a "handicapped" lavatory, which tends to be rather large. You might be able to get into one for a bit to do some calisthenics or stretches.
posted by mephron at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2010


Best answer: Not always near Penn Station, but check out Midtown Lunch.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 9:12 AM on February 12, 2010


Response by poster: Dancing in place sounds fun. Good way to work on my inhibitions.
I've got some melatonin- might as well pack that.
The desk exercise link is great! Thanks.
I might get the inflatable pillow set- I've got 2 weeks til the trip.
Supermac looks close, but the link says they're moving. Midtown Lunch looks like a great resource.
I've been in a roomette. (Unfortunately I had the top bunk, with 12" of headroom, and I'm fairly claustrophobic) Not sure if it's worth the price, but I could certainly sleep better there, since I'd have the bottom bunk to myself. I could possibly do some yoga in there also. But I already got my ticket.
posted by MtDewd at 1:35 PM on February 12, 2010


MTDewd, you can ask the conductor once you get on if you can do an on-board upgrade to the sleeper. They'll give you the lowest bucket price if there are any available. (Unfortuantely, you're still paying for both meals and both bunks even if it's just you, but you could split it with someone if you wanted!)
posted by waylaid at 6:27 PM on February 13, 2010


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