Today I am linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
I have traveled to California (2011, 2013, 2014) and Vermont (2015, 2016) to run races with one friend. I have also spent a weekend in Philly (2014), Panama City Beach (2016), Corning, NY (2017) and Las Vegas (2108) with several other women to run a half marathon. Each of these weekends was So.Much.Fun!!!
So what will it be for 2018?
September 23-24, 2018
It’s early but we’re getting the party started…
My topic for today is Five Reasons to Take a Girls Weekend Race-cation.
1. Training Support
Heidi, Adrienne & I training together for 2014 race weekend in Philly
When you are training for the same race, you get support for your runs and race goals either in person or virtually.
preparing for the Wineglass Half in 2017
2. Cost Savings
Lisa & Andrea – my roommates whom I had never met before the weekend in Philly
It is definitely cheaper to share a room with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.
Holly graciously offered her home to 7 running bloggers – most of whom she has never met in person for the Panama Beach Half in 2016
Marcia was my roomie in LV.
3. Visiting New Places
even in the rain, we visited all the sites of Philly
I love to travel and explore new cities. I had never been to Panama City Beach or Corning, NY before my weekend there for a race. I am especially looking forward to Montreal to experience their French culture (and since I haven’t been there in many many years.).
awesome sunsets in Panama City Beach
sightseeing on the way to Corning
4. Sharing Your Racing Experience With Others
I have raced most of my 29 half marathons alone. I have enjoyed each one but not nearly as much as the ones in Philly (in spite of the rain), Panama Beach, Corning and Vegas. And none of these were PRs!!!
All 10 of us at the Wineglass expo
I am sure the same will be true for our Montreal girls weekend (we have 6 definites so far).
5. Forging New Friendships
Andrea & I at VCM relay
The Philly group has kept in touch on Facebook. I have bumped into Andrea at several races. We had planned another race-cation with Lisa but ZOOMA Cape Cod got cancelled. We still hope that another will happen in the future.
I also keep in touch virtually with my Panama City Beach buddies. Some of us repeated this racing experience in Vegas. I hope to run another one with them in the future.
Many of us going to Montreal also ran the Wineglass race in Corning last year. But we always encourage newbies to join the group.
Don’t eating and racing go together?
Happy Running! Have you ever taken a Girls Weekend Race-cation? Do you have one planned for this year?
My First 5K and More... 
I agree, I love racecations with friends! The cost savings and the company for training are huge benefits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel blessed to have these opportunities.
LikeLike
This is a fun post and I love looking back on those pics. Great memories! You’re going to have a blast in Montreal!
LikeLike
I can’t wait.
I hope to connect with the #holottafun ladies again in the future.
LikeLike
I do have one planned for this year. Just not Montreal. Hoping to make it to FL for next year too (not a half though). Obviously I’m all about the racecation.
LikeLike
I’m all about the race-cation, obviously.But I leave the hubby home. For me,it’s more fun being with just ladies.
Your retreat with Jan should be fun. Feel free to join all of us in Montreal, there’s a 5k and a 10k too.
I love going to Fla in the winter (even though training here is a PITA. Next year I’m hoping to do the west coast and run with Jan & Judy Lynch. I will most likely run the Music Half again (or one of the others) in Sarasota. I’ve changed my mind about repeats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I plan to probably do the 10k with Jan next year, but we’ll see what actually happens.
Can’t do 2 girls’ weekends that close together and I don’t want to pay that much $$ for a 5/10k either (and I enjoy traveling with my husband).
LikeLike
I wouldn’t spend that much $$ and time to only run a 10k in FL. Jan already lives there. But that’s me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a big fan of racecations and it’s even better when you you can mix a girls trip with a racecation. I’m hoping that I can get together with some of my friends later on this year for a racecation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you do. It’s so much fun.
LikeLike
You’ve had some fun trips with lots of gals 😉 I’m looking forward to a few gal trips this year as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you have some fun ones. And that we meet again someday.
LikeLike
That looks likes so much fun. Running and run groups seem to be the fastest way to make friends as an adult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. I would missed out if I hadn’t become a runner.
LikeLike
Awww I love this so much! I consistently travel with my bestie but she’s expecting her first baby in May so no traveling for us this year. Well, maybe in October… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you get to go on another.
LikeLike
Racecations are so much more fun when you have girlfriends to share it with. Especially if it is to a new destination neither of you have visited.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! This is what it’s all about! Love all your fun pics and racecations …you’ll have a fabulous time in Montreal and I haven’t given up on us meeting up sometime as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I definitely hope to meet you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that I’m running for fun and less for finish times, I’m enjoying meeting up with other runners too! We’ll see what the rest of the year holds for me.
LikeLike
I’m sure there will be some fun races. Your race with Holly looked like a blast.
LikeLike
As you know we do plenty of racecations with our running buddies, but we allow a few men, LOL. I bet doing an all-female one would be really cool; your trips look like they are so fun!
LikeLike
They are. So do yours look tons of fun.
LikeLike
I did a girls race-cation for my first marathon. A good friend of mine and I trained on a charity team for the Maui Marathon, but the rest of the team dropped out a few months before race day. We stuck it out and completed our first marathons together in paradise!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How fun!!
LikeLike
What fun! NONE of my friends are runners, so I am looking forward to meeting up with blogging friends at future races!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Running and racing with friends is the best! I hear great things about Montreal and would love to race there. Something fun to look forward to!
LikeLike
Yes. Definitely looking forward to this race.
LikeLike
Racecations are so fun! I love the pictures and it is awesome to see some of my favorite blogger unite!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Last year I went to Utah to run a half marathon and met up with Mary Beth, Marcia, Theresa, and Judy. It was a fun weekend! I’ve also done a few other half marathons with other friends. Those are always fun because at least you have someone to hang out with during the weekend. And yes it helps with expenses. So far I have nothing planned for this year. I am going to Denver in October so hopefully someone will join me.
LikeLike
I’m sure they will. I had serious FOMO when you guys were in Utah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I did more running, I’d definitely look into doing racecations! They really do sound like they’d be a lot of fun! :] As it is, I try to do mini day/road trips with friends and throw in hiking or some kind of outdoor explorations! :]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like fun to me. I love Day trips with friends. Hiking is lots of fun.
LikeLike
Any kind of racecations are amazing, but girls’ racecations are the best! I don’t think I could keep it to just five reasons to do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. There are about a dozen reasons LOL
LikeLike
I was just away with a girlfriend last weekend for a racecation. We had an absolute blast and are already talking about trying to plan the next one.
LikeLike
They are addicting. After the first one, you just want to do more. if only I had more time and money.
LikeLike
That is SO fun! I have not done a racecation weekend with girlfriends since I got married…I need to look into one this year!
LikeLike
Yes Yes!
LikeLike