Last year was definitely the year of race-cations. I feel like I was all over the place (because I was!) This week’s DC Trifecta link up topic is 5 Trips so I’ll share (again lol!) some of the places I visited last year (and some places I plan to visit this year 🙂 )
1. I still can’t believe I ran a 1/2 marathon in Madrid, Spain. Sometimes, I look at that album and seriously am shocked that that happened. But it did and it was absolutely amazing. I recapped the race here but some memorable things from the race were
-how awesome it was to be half way around the world and be able to speak the language. Both my husband and I are fluent Spanish speakers 🙂
-how plastic water bottles were given at each water station. Bottled water is so expensive in Europe that as soon as I saw a PR was nowhere near possible, I started hoarding water bottles and ran with one in each hand the entire way lol!
-how there were ZERO porta-potties. Men just pulled up to the side and did their thing but the women had to find a restaurant or shop to use the bathroom!
Madrid was our first stop in our Europe tour and we started off with a bang
One of my fave race pics — having fun doing what I love (and in Spain!)
2. When I got back from Europe, I decided to cross the Grand Canyon twice lol! Doing Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim was such an incredible experience. I had never been to the Grand Canyon and to go and do that was amazing. I recapped the double crossings here and here.
The Grand Canyon is a must see if you’re Arizona and if you’re planning on visit, why not cross the whole thing? 🙂
Day 1: South Kaibab to North Kaibab. Day 2: North Kaibab to Bright Angel.
the edge of glory
at the “finish line” of the Canyon 🙂
3. My bucket list marathon was the Marine Corps Marathon in our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. I’m a big history buff so running a race there would unite to of my passions: running and history. I wrote about this race and how it met ALL of my high expectations here (and a little more here). The cherry on the top of this race last October was also meeting my BRF Salt ❤ The day couldn’t have been better.
Oh just strolling by the White House–nbd.
Best. Medal. Ever.
My BRF and sole sister–Salt ❤
4. I mentioned just last week how I plan on going to Cincinatti, Ohio to run the Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon.
So if anyone had told me my brother would run a 1/2 marathon…I would have snorted and said, “Yeah, when pigs….yeah….”
This race is special because it will by my brother’s first half and I NEVER thought he’d run a half marathon. Ever. I’m so pumped about it, I can’t even explain it lol! Just this past weekend he texted me a pic of his 7 miler. I’m so ridiculously proud of him.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this race and you bet I’ve checked out the elevation chart–I’m ready for you hills! (well not really, but yeah)
Helloooo hills!!
5. Finally, my fall marathon this year will be in……CHICAGO!! My run club is organizing a group to run the Chicago Marathon and my husband and I have put our names in the lottery–all our fingers are crossed we get in.
I’m still gunning for a sub 4:30 and I’m hoping, hoping, hoping it happens in Chicago. If not, I plan on maybe trying ONE MORE TIME in Phoenix Spring 2016 and if it still doesn’t happen, I’m putting up my marathon running shoes for a while. Marathon training is no joke and this momma is TIE-ERD.
So, there you have it! Some places I’ve been ridiculously lucky to visit and two that I’m super pumped to check out this year.
–Where have you traveled to run? Do you have a favorite place?
–Where is your dream race-cation?
Good luck to Sue@ThisMamaRunsForCupcakes who is running a marathon in PARIS, FRANCE this weekend!!!
you have been to some really amazing places!
Yes, thankfully! 🙂
I want to do the Flying Pig SO BADLY! It always conflicts with my work schedule so once I get a new job that race is mine! Good luck to you and your brother – so exciting!
I’ve heard so many good things about Flying Pig!! I’m so pumped! Hope you get to do it too soon!!
Madrid would be a great place to run. Running an International race would be so fun.
It was a blast!!
I’ve never really traveled to run, other then 1 hour away. I would love to run a 1/2 marathon somewhere next year with my husband. You’ve been to some awesome places!
That would be so cool to do a race with your husband! We’ve run the same races and started together but only one have we run all the way together–it was the best!!
wow.! So awesome, I didn’t know you had run in such awesome places. Now I’ll have to creep around your blog again 🙂
I’ve never had a runcation, hopefully sometime though.!!
LOL, yeah last year was pretty crazy with traveling!
Crossing the Grand Canyon sounds so epic!! I have to add that to my bucket list.
And I cannot wait to run a race in Europe one day. I want to do one in France that involves lots of wine drinking 😉
That would be amazing!!! ALL the carbs and all the wine!!!
YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY CHICAGOOOOOOOO I will be seeing you THERE And we will finally meet! About damn time!
OMG!!!!!!!! I’m SO excited!!!!!!!
What a list! I’ve never raced in Europe but I’m hoping to visit home next year and maybe do the Dublin marathon (hometown race!!!). And I still can’t get over the RIM2RIM2RIM – that looks epic!
That would be AWESOME to do a hometown race!
What great races you’ve had! I’d love to do the Grand Canyon rim to rim. I’ve run Chicago twice, and put my name in the lottery to run it again. Fingers crossed…
How awesome you’ve done Chicago!! Def keep GC on your list!
Madrid and the Grand Canyon sound so amazing. I would love to try the Grand Canyon for sure. I’ve been also interested in the Yosemite run. So excited about Chicago! It is an incredible race. Plenty of port-a-potties and water in cups 😉
LOL, I can’t wait!!!
AHHH hope you and your husband get into Chicago!! Maybe I’ll see you in October 🙂
That is…if I get in too haha.
Fingers crossed!!! 😀
I love all of your trips! And oh my gosh, if I were staying in the midwest through the fall I would definitely come to Chicago to cheer you on!
I haven’t really traveled to race besides coming back to my hometown to run The Color Run with my cousins last fall. It was a short 4 hour trip. But I will be doing it again this fall, only the trip will be longer and most likely include me flying this time rather than driving 11 hours there and 11 hours back in one weekend on top of a race.
Now that we are finally getting settled, I am going to look into some bigger and more exciting races. I would really love to do a Wine Valley half in CA some day.
Wine and Running sounds absolutely amazing. 😀
Fun! My first race-cation ever will be to Disneyworld for the Wine and Dine half in November, and I’m beside myself with excitement!
oh my gosh that sounds amazing!