Historically, girlfriend getaways were spent getting some much needed rest and relaxation. Today, women are looking for an adventure and their vacations are no exception. Ladies are kicking off their heels and strapping on their tennis shoes to participate in athletic events, whether it’s for the thrill of an adventure or to fulfill a philanthropic cause. For these women, a trip that includes running a marathon or completing a triathlon is more enticing than a week spent poolside.
Marni Rakes, a Florida resident and triathlete, travels around the country for events and said, “I love traveling for races. Whether it is thirty minutes away or a plane ride away, I love approaching the unknown. Seeing the other athletes, exploring a new place, spending the night in a hotel … I love it all.”
There are fun events, varying in distance and level of difficulty, happening around the world. Iron Girl is one event series that caters only to women and has more than eight events spanning the nation. The RYKA sprint distance Iron Girl Duathlon, in Bloomington, Minn., offers the perfect opportunity for a girls’ getaway at the largest mall in America. Marathons in exciting cities such as New Orleans, Los Angeles, Boston, Nashville, Las Vegas and New York City are also an option for those who want an even bigger challenge. For those of you on a budget, don’t fret, there are great events happening practically in your backyard.
Lytle Wurtzel, who currently lives in New York, recently traveled to California to participate in the 26.2-mile Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. She said, “When you travel for an event, there is a feeling that you are being driven toward something- a feeling you never have when you are simply vacationing. When you combine travel with an event and other activities, you make the vacation a complete ‘experience.’”
Regardless of the type of event you choose, be it trekking through the mud in an adventure race or speed walking through your first 10K, take a risk, set a personal goal and challenge yourself! Below are some tips to help you successfully travel for an event. Whether it is a short plane or car ride away or a cross-country trip, these tips will help you prepare and enjoy your vacation adventure to the fullest.
- Take care of and confirm trip logistics as far in advance as possible. You want to focus your energy on the event itself and not “is my hotel booked or do I have a rental car?”
- When making your travel arrangements, be sure to factor in recovery time for post-event. After your big event your legs and joints can be stiff and prone to cramping. The last thing you want to do is get on a plane or into a car. An additional day or two allows you to do the activities you may have passed up prior to the event in order to conserve your energy. Take this extra time post-event to relax and take in your surroundings. Treat yourself to a spa day or fabulous meal.
- Begin packing several days in advance. For even the most organized woman, packing the night before can be a recipe for disaster. When packing for an event, there are so many things to remember – training clothes, race day ensemble, gear and more. Not giving yourself adequate time to pack means you might forget the essentials. You don’t want to show up for a 5K, much less a marathon or triathlon, without your favorite shoes! Keep a notepad on your office desk the week before your trip so you can jot items down as you think of them.
- Remember to have fun once you are there. Take every bit of the trip in – absorb the sights and sounds of your new environment, people watch and make new friends. Use the event to challenge yourself and add a new item to your already substantial list of accomplishments and, once the event is over, reward yourself.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose a city you have always wanted to go to, select a cause that you want to help out, or pick an event you have been curious about, spend some quality time researching the event and start making your plans! Wherever you decide to go and whatever race you choose, have fun, be safe and make memories!
Check out these links for more information on local or out of town events:
Iron Girl supports the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Heart Walk benefits the American Heart Association
Team In Training benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Memory Walk benefits the Alzheimer's Association
Breast Cancer 3-Day supports the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation
- Jessica Weidensall
