It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

If you follow me, you probably know at least once a year, I go away to run a race with the “girls.”

It just wouldn’t be as much fun with the hubby.  I am sure you know what I mean.

Well, I am so excited because my next one is THIS WEEKEND!

My topic for today is: The Benefits of a Girls Weekend for Racing

1. Training Support.

When you are training for the same race, you get support for your runs and race goals either in person or virtually.

2. Cost Savings

It is definitely cheaper to share a room with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.

In Panama City, Holly had graciously offered her home to 7 running bloggers – most of whom she has never met in person.

3. Visiting New Places

I love to travel and explore new cities.  I had never been to Philly or Panama City Beach or Corning, NY or Montreal (without my French students). I had stayed in Las Vegas before (but not in many years and not to run a race.)

4. Sharing Your Race Experience

I have raced most of my half marathons alone.  I have enjoyed each one but not nearly as much as the ones in Philly, Panama City, Corning, Las Vegas or Montreal.  We went to the expo together, carb loaded the night before, lined up at the start and met after the race to debrief.

I am sure the same will be true this weekend and I expect it to be totally awesome!!

5. Forging New Friendships

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 only knew my housemates in Panama City Beach virtually but after that weekend, we definitely became friends. Many of us even repeated that experience in Vegas.

My current group of local running friends (Sole Sisters) will be embarking on our third girls weekend.  First there was Corning, NY, then Montreal and now Brooklyn…

I can’t wait to share everything that happens next weekend in NYC!!!

(Maybe not everything – What happens in NYC stays in NYC, right?)

Happy Running! Do you go on Girls Weekends? Do you race during them?