Hello, my name is Kim and I'm a runner who runs while on vacation.
I know I'm not alone in this addiction. After all, runners love to run, and exploring a new place (in one's running shoes) is a special kind of fix.
Not to be confused with a racecation, running-while-on-vacation is different. The first involves planning a trip around a race; the other involves running (and, often times, racing) while already on holiday. It's a fine line, I'll admit, but there are distinct differences.
Care to hear a few of my favorites?
Downtown San Francisco, CA
Hands-down, San Fran has been my favorite thus far. Our family spent a few days in San Fran, before heading to Pasadena for the 2016 Rose Bowl. Wow! There was so much to see! Since I was running solo, I waited until I had daylight, and I didn't venture too far from our hotel. But, I got to climb some (actually several LOL) hills, run through China Town, race a cable car, and admire the Transamerica Pyramid.
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| Transamerica Pyramid |
Disney World, Orlando FL
A favorite spot for our family has been Disney World. What's not to love? Warm air (a welcome treat in the spring!), palm trees, sandy boardwalks, and occasional flamingoes.
Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa FL
The hubby and I have been going to Tampa in recent years, during mid/late March (the exception being 2020, and we all know why). A favorite route is along Bayshore Boulevard. I had run along it before (March 2019), and was just there last weekend. There's a path along the bay, where one can enjoy various architecture, and witness some breathtaking sunrises across the bay.
Demens Landing Park, St. Petersburg FL
While on Spring Break, in 2019, I ran in the
Heroes Memorial 10K Run (recap
HERE). This was an evening race, and the proceeds benefited the local law enforcement and fire/rescue personnel. The route took us out of Demens Landing Park and along Bayshore Boulevard, on brick-paved streets, in downtown St. Pete. It was neat seeing the many sail boats in the harbour along the course.
Holiday Bowl Parade Route, San Diego CA
While in San Diego, for the 2019 Holiday Bowl, the hubby and I ran in the
Holiday Bowl National Funding 5K (recap
HERE). A very unique feature of this race was that it encompassed some of the actual parade route, on Harbor Drive, in downtown San Diego. Talk about feeling like celebrities! We were decked out in Iowa Hawkeye gear, and received numerous cheers and high-5's from many of the Iowa Hawkeye fans along the race course.
So, those are just a few of my favorite running-while-on-vacation adventures, from vacations. Please note, there have been many racecations, involving specific vacation-inspired races (as well as awesome blogger meet-ups), but I'm saving those for another post on another day.
Do you ever seek out races, while vacationing with your family or significant other? Ever go exploring, in the running shoes? Got a favorite place/city/race you've checked out, while vacationing?
I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up
By the way...are you following me on social media?
While I love my racecations, sometimes running on vacation is even better. No early morning alarm! No parking logistics! No pressure!
ReplyDeleteOne of the favorite places I ran on vacation (and it was a racecation, too!) was Sedona.
I agree, it's fun to just lace up, when you feel like it, and go exploring ;-)
DeleteI've never run a race on vacay, but the one that I want to do is the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle since we're always in town on race day. Other than that, my go-to is running on the beach and then going right into the ocean afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI didn't always search for races in our vacation spots...but once I started, it kind of became a (slight) obsession. This last mini vacay was my first such trip with no race on the radar (and I lived to tell about it).
DeleteOh yes, I LOVE running while travelling!
ReplyDeleteMy best memories are from Naples, Florida. We arrived usually in the evening (jet-lagged). Next morning, we would get up and run along the ocean. So relaxing and calming. We instantly forgot about all our workstress - the vacation had started!
I think Florida is a great place to run! I don't mind the balmy air ;-)
DeleteThose look like fun places for running. I rarely run while on vacation. Then again it's been a while since I've been on vacation. During one of my last trips to San Francisco for my nephew's graduation, I did got out to run. I actually enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with us!
Isn't San Fran a great place? I love all the crazy hills!
DeleteYes of course I always seek out a race but I don't have any 50 state goals and I don't travel that much.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Catrina so I love running in Naples and any place where there is an ocean view.
I also loved running with mountain/desert views in Palm Springs.
But maybe my favorite place is NYC!!
I've only been to NYC once, and I wasn't a runner then. That just means I have to go back and fix that problem ;-)
DeleteRunning while on vacation is the best way to explore new places. I can still remember all of the cool things I saw while running in Minneapolis when I was there for a business trip a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Minneapolis in years, but would LOVE to go back. Their marathon is on my bucket list (cough cough).
DeleteNo better way to explore than running! I love how you can see all the sights in one run, sights that people take a day to explore. And seeing them in the early morning is special too.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing some of your favorites Kim!
Exploring in the running shoes is one of our best kept secrets!
DeleteLove it! I am always trying to take racecations, or hit up races while we on vacation. Love that you have so many Florida spots on your list!
ReplyDeleteI thought of doing a blog post about the Florida races I've done. Most are kind of obscure (due to the time of season), but all have been fun!
DeleteI love running in new cities and on vacation. I am just starting to plan some summer travel and I can't wait! San Fran is also one of my fave places to run and I am headed back there soon as well
ReplyDeleteOh, I love San Fran! Maybe we should scheme to get there for the 13.1 sometime. I think it's in July (?), but probably not happening this year.
DeleteI LOVE running while traveling. Once we were in Las Vegas for my niece's wedding and all the guys went to play golf, so I decided to go for a run. I was talking with the concierge at our hotel before setting out and he asked what my intended route was. When I told him, he said "Oh no! Don't go there. It's not safe!" Glad I said something!
ReplyDeleteI do alot of running while I'm on vacation, but I've only done a few racecations. I love exploring new places when I'm running!
ReplyDeleteThin line, but there's definitely a difference between a racecation and running while on vacation! I would have loved to have joined you for a run through China Town just to feel the vibe and to see all those beautiful lanterns. I love running while on vacation. It really gives you a feel of the place that's very different when driving or on a tour bus.
ReplyDeleteRunning in San Francisco is hard! So many hills plus traffic. I do love exploring a city on foot. You see so much more that you do from a car. I think my favorite has to be Paris (because, well, Paris). My husband and I created a route that included running past the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. Plus on Sundays they close the street that runs along the Seine (can't remember the name) to just pedestrians, cyclists, and runners. I don't know if they still do that but it was amazing.
ReplyDeleteI've gone on a few racecations (Grand Tetons Half, OBX Half, Chicago Spring Half, Big Sur Marathon, and the Boston Marathon are the most notable locations), but I can only remember signing up for a race while on vacation twice, and both times it was the OBX 5K, a Wednesday race near our beach house. I do remember running those hills of San Fran when I was out for a conference, but that doesn't count as either of what you mentioned. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThose all look great! I used to live over on the west coast of Florida- those are some pretty areas for sure. I've been to CA but not San Francisco- I want to go!
ReplyDeleteRunning in San Diego sounds so lovely! My favorite vacation destination to run was Bend, OR, where we used to go skiing.
ReplyDelete