College athletes' schedules can be extremely intense–so when it's time to unwind, some people may think that athletes look for vacations on the complete opposite side of the spectrum: tropical resorts filled with a week of lazy Sundays and no training plan in sight.
However, some athletes, especially those in a relationship where their partner also values athletics, might fully commit to the grind–even when they don't have to.
Related: No Days Off: 6 Ways Athletes Can Train in the Off-Season
Enter college athlete couple Danielle Tauber and Isaac Aronson, who have been dating for four years, two of them long distance. When their time together became a rarity after they moved to opposite sides of the country for college, vacations together became one of their most sacred traditions.
Stinson Beach, San Francisco is one of the couples' favorite vacation spots to frequent, in large part because of the action nearby. “By the house, there is a lagoon to paddle board in, roads to bike on, and a mountain in the back with so many different hikes,” said Aronson, who plays lacrosse at the University of Michigan.
Related: Rate the University of Michigan
After graduating from the Bullis School in Bethesda Maryland in 2020 from as the Captain of the varsity girls soccer team, Tauber has kept in soccer shape since–including on her vacations with Aronson. Tauber, who now plays soccer at the University of Texas at Austin, agrees that staying active on vacation is a priority for the couple. “We like to make sure there are physical activities on the schedule,” she said. “But if not we always find our way to the gym.”
The couple also likes to mix things up–for instance, they traveled to Vail, Colorado last year for winter break, where they tried a unique new workout. “Snowshoeing is a great workout and it is nice to do some different kinds of workouts in the off season,” said Aronson. “The season can be very taxing on your body with a lot of lifting and practice and it's nice to switch up the training especially before getting into the season.”
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
In terms of their diets, the athletic couple doesn't eat strictly when they're apart, so they can still enjoy treats when they're together. “As long as we are getting the proper nutrients,” Tauber said, “dessert is dessert.”
Aronson agrees. “Since we eat most of our meals at home it's easy to continue to eat healthy,” who added one exception to their rule. “Except we always eat more ice cream–it's always good to relax over break.”
After a taxing season, athletes deserve a vacation more than anyone. This doesn't necessarily mean writing off a whole season's efforts, but instead, thinking of it as a reward so they can continue a version of the lifestyle even when off the field. Aronson and Tauber truly live out the old adage: “Work hard, play hard.”
* Originally published on November 17, 2022, by Ava Soodek
