It’s Friday, so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five. I’ve been chatting with my friends at Gazelle Sports about checking out their Gazelle Girl Half Marathon on April 19 in Grand Rapids, MI. I have a girlfriend who recently moved to Grand Rapids so there are a bunch of us who’ve talked about heading up there to run a race with her.
I have a great group of running friends who’ve taken “racecations.” It all started when a group of us were emailing about signing up for local races in 2009. Rhys emailed back and said “how about Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon?” We got 6 “yes” votes in the first few hours and started planning. After a great trip, the 6 of us went again in 2010. Since then, our original group and many other friends have run all over the US and in Vancouver, too!
5 Reasons to Take a Girlfriends’ Racecation
1. To spend time with your girlfriends, create memories and new traditions. Life’s so busy that I don’t get many dedicated weekends with my friends any more. One of the best things for me about “racecations” is traveling to and spending pre-race and post-race time with my friends. That 2009 trip created deeper connections and we still laugh about many funny things that happened on that trip.
To visit a new place and try new things. Since that first racecation, I’ve gone with my friends to run races in over a dozen cities! Since we typically run half marathons, we still have some bandwidth to see some sights, experience local culture and eat at good restaurants before and after the run.
To check out the running scene in a new city. Many of the racecations I’ve taken have been for big races like the Austin Half or Seawheeze. It’s always cool to see the running community and how the races are done. Living in Chicago, our expectations are high, but we’ve rarely been disappointed.
To have a shared goal to train for. Training is always easier for me if I have friends to train with. Planning for a destination race with my local girlfriends gives us a shared goal. It’s especially helpful for me to have a spring goal so I keep up my fitness in winter.
To find the joy in running. Everything is better with friends. These racecations remind me of my “why” for running. I’m not going to win these races. Checking out new races and destinations with my friends reminds me that I run for fun. I’m so grateful for these opportunities and love sharing them with my friends.
Join my next girlfriends racecation at Gazelle Girl in Grand Rapids!
I asked Kelli if she was around for the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon in April. She’s already signed up, so I recruited 5 other friends for a girlfriends’ racecation! They also have a 5K and 10K. It’s a great way to have avid runners and novice runners join a race trip. There’s something for everyone. If you’re interested in a curated weekend, check out their VIP experience. The event raises funds for several charity partners, too!
I know not everyone can make it to run with us in April. Gazelle Sports will send a lucky winner the Gazelle Girl Running Trucker Hat by Boco Gear. Please use the Rafflecopter below. Winner must be 18 years of age or older, have a US postal address and the offer is void where prohibited. The giveaway runs through January 31. A winner will be selected and notified on February 1.
a Rafflecopter giveawayKeep up with Gazelle Sports online and on Facebook and Instagram.
Please note: I was given a complimentary race entry in exchange for posting about Gazelle Girl Half Marathon. I’m super stoked to check out Grand Rapids with my friends (I’ve never been) and a Gazelle Sports’ race.