I’ve now lived on the west coast for over nine months, though since moving here I haven’t done a single “pure” mileage run. As I’ve written about quite a bit lately, I’m behind on requalifying for elite status this year, so I’m working on booking several mileage runs for the coming month.
When I lived on the east coast I had a certain mileage run “routine” I was used to. I’d typically fly out to the west coast in the morning, hop around the coast a bit, and at night take the redeye back to the east coast. It was brutal, but I was used to it after doing dozens on end.
As I look at potential mileage run flight schedules on the west coast I’m trying to figure out which type of schedule is less painful.
It seems there are two general types of domestic mileage runs. Some leave before the crack of dawn and get back at around midnight the same day. On one hand it seems nice to be able to not miss a night at home and not have to take a redeye. At the same time I’m usually a night owl, and if I take a flight leaving at 5:45AM I’d have to leave home by 4AM or so, and would have to get up at 3:30AM. I usually go to bed at 1-2AM, so if I’m lucky I’d get two hours of sleep.
The other type of mileage run is basically the reverse of what I used to do when I lived on the east coast. It involves taking a redeye to the east coast, which doesn’t seem horrible, but then you have the long daytime journey back home where you’re probably far too tired for your own good.
So for frequent mileage runners based on the west coast, is one of the above types of mileage runs easier than the other? Would be curious to hear how you guys feel.
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