Destination: “RUNcation”
By Carrie and Joey Longoria
Contributing interviews with:
Natalie Ferguson
Garnett Ratliff
Blake and Mary Scott Pearson
Justin Kaplan
As we write this, we are less than thirty-six hours from heading off to Philadelphia for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in the city of brotherly love. “Eye of the Tiger” is already buzzing in my head! Weather predictions are now in the upper 30s, which is still shorts and short sleeve weather, as I am quickly reminded by my beloved about the time I forgot key articles of clothing when we ran the NYC half in 2014 (33 degrees). So, what better mindset to write a segment about destination races, right?
To get varied opinions and input, we decided to ask a handful of runners a list of standard questions. We received an array of answers to most, but similar responses on a few. We hope this article will be useful in helping you prepare for your next destination race with a little comic relief in the “what is something you have forgotten” portion. It’s no mystery that we runners are a strange breed, making the logistics of travel AND a race very interesting at times. Yes, I have been known to email a race director asking what type of hydration will be on the course (Gatorade or Powerade) and if there will be mile markers on the course. I blame my dad for these habits though! (He’s much worse). Alright travel junkies! Here we go:
How do you choose what out of town races you run?
“I have many criteria and all of them have to do with the city itself. I refuse to go anywhere to run a race that is not a place I would otherwise visit. I don’t care how downhill, fast or festive the race is. At the end of the day, it’s a race and I’m a corporate worker bee…not a professional runner. I’m not running a race in a Podunk town.”
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| Chicago! |
What are the biggest obstacles logistically with traveling and/or on race day?
“Finding someone to watch our kids and get them everywhere they need to go is always the hardest part. We like to pick a loop course so that we don't have to bus to or from the start/end. It makes for a much more relaxed morning”
“Getting everything in order logistically with travel and driving, etc. Also, making sure I don’t have any work obligations [is important.]”
“So far I have never flown to a race. As a person with ADD, packing is stressful enough without having to worry about forgetting something I need for a race. When I drive my car, I know I can pack 3 bags for an overnight trip by myself and then run around the house randomly picking up things that I think about afterwards and throwing them in bags. Getting rid of the concern that I might have forgotten something gets rid of all the stress.”
“We were concerned about taking our nursing 9-month old to Japan with us given that a baby had never taken the pre-arranged BTC trip before, and we didn't know local culture and customs regarding children and their place in society. But we also didn't want to leave her in the states for two weeks without us. It turned out to be great. She was included in everything we did and even helped us meet more local people. She was passed around many folks that we got to spend time with and even got to meet the Mayor of Maebashi!”
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| The Ferguson family in Japan |
“I made a packing list YEARS ago that is in the notes section of my phone. It includes running and vacation things. Now, I don't have to think when I am filling luggage, and I haven't forgotten anything since making the list! To start the list, I referenced mommy blogs and running blogs and then figured out what would best fit our family when I travel.”
“It’s anything and everything that I have ever heard anyone say they needed, anything that any article I ever read suggested, and anything that I think about randomly that someone else never mentioned, which might help”
“See http://www.runnersworld.com/for-beginners-only/what-to-pack-for-a-marathon.”
*(from Joey): One thing I ALWAYS do when flying for a race is pack my race day gear in my carry-on. This way, no matter what happens with any other luggage, I can rest easy that I always have what I really need.
What is something key you forgot to pack & what did you do?
“I forgot to pack socks once. I did the race without them. TERRIBLE idea. I had the worst blisters.”
“I have had to wash sports bras in the hotel sink and blow them dry with the hair dryer because I haven't packed enough.”
“Band-aids. They were on the packing list but I didn't really think we would need them. Post-race blisters are no good without band-aids! Thankfully the gift shop in our hotel had some.”
Do you experience the destination either before or after the race?
“I have yet to run in a City that I have not already spent time in. That way, I don’t have to worry about it.”
“I like to experience the city after the race and conserve my energy before. Plus, eating afterwards is more fun! I usually arrive the day before and spend 2-3 days after.”
“Always experience the destination AFTER the race. It's difficult to enjoy the food and local drink and be concerned with how far you walk or how many sets of stairs you are taking in a day just because you want to have a good race. Ideal is probably fly in, 2 days rest / healthy eating, race, then spend a week enjoying whatever you went there to enjoy.”
“Both. In Chicago we did a boat tour so that we could see the city without walking too much.”
What has been your favorite out of town race?
“Chicago is our favorite for a big trip. We love Seaside for something smaller that you can drive to easily.”
“Favorite out of town races - two of them. (1) Chattanooga - first out of town race where my whole family came. First (AND ONLY) marathon, and it was awesome that they could be there. (2) Kiawah - awesome hotel right at the start line, perfect weather, beautiful course, beautiful city. Also turned out to be perfect weather.”
“I've never felt so safe in Japan. We took 3 a.m. walks with a baby along city streets without looking over our shoulders, to get over jet lag. It's one of the safest places you'll ever visit. I also placed in that race. They celebrate top 6, and I was fourth, so I received presents and a bit more fanfare than I deserved, but it was a really fun moment to be able to share with my husband and our baby.”
“New Orleans RnR Half. What better place for post-race food!?”
How do you include your family?
“Sometimes, I include them by not making them come and not putting them through the stress of a race day. ☺”
“Traveling with my friends allows us to make an adventure out of it.”
“We ask our parents to watch our kids so that we can race. ☺ With both of us running this is super helpful.”
How do you take care of things when you go by yourself?
“I get a hotel room very close to the course (even if it costs a little more). I always have everything I need. I lay it all out as soon as I get there.”
“We get family and friends to help. It's always a juggling act.”
“I haven't been by myself. Jason and I are the type of people that when one of us is doing something really cool, the other one wants to be a part of it, even if it's just from the sidelines. Travel is always more fun when you are with people you know and like.” (Side note: Carrie and I love this answer, Natalie!)
How do you prepare for a course?
“I do not prepare for a course.”
“I don’t like to know the negative aspects of a course, so I don’t [prepare].”
“We study race maps, the elevation profile and talk to people who have done the race. We like to watch course video if it is available. We look at the locations of the aid stations and water stops and plan our nutrition based on what will be available at each location. Talking to people who have done the race is probably the most helpful because they can alert you to potential issues of which you might otherwise be unaware.”
“You don't. Ultimately, you are in a strange environment and if you are really worried about every last detail, then you will miss out on the bigger picture of travel, which is connecting with people and learning to be a bit less absorbed in ourselves and the way we have always done things.”
Well, I have realized that my packing job for Philly is suddenly inadequate! I can’t wait to discover what I have forgotten on this trip! Carrie, of course, has had her suitcase laid out for days and won’t forget a single thing.
One thing that we do have in common is being submerged in the culture and local food when we travel. Seriously, why go to a great destination and eat chain food you can get at your local shopping center? Part of the experience is the culture, architecture, and history of your destination. Personally, I think that connection allows you to have a more enjoyable and meaningful race, whether you are “racing” it or enjoying the sights and sounds of running through a great city, which is an amazing way to see it! Safe and happy travels!