With summer right around the corner, I have begun researching where to take my family for a few weekend vacation getaways this year. Selfishly, I always try to find destinations that offer an organized race the weekend we will be there. I have mastered the art of toggling between the race listing site and family vacation ideas.
It made me wonder how many other runners plan their vacations around specific races. I can’t be the only parent who plans family vacations around a scenic half marathon!
Now, don’t get me wrong, my first priority is finding a location that everyone will enjoy. Luckily, my children are still young enough that a hotel with a pool or water park is enough to make for a great trip. We have explored several hotels throughout Wisconsin and Illinois that my family has enjoyed. I like to keep our car rides within the three to six-hour range since we inevitably have to stop just about every hour for a bathroom or snack break.
The great thing about our neighboring states is that they all offer lovely organized races with various distances. It requires a bit of planning since most organizations require you to pre-register, but it is well worth the time spent.
In fact, for my family, planning a vacation makes it much more enjoyable. I have raised two kids that thrive under an organized plan. We are not a fly by the seat of your pants family. Things just don’t seem to work out well for us if we don’t have a plan. I’m sure that is due to my anal retentive character traits!
There are several benefits to a run nestled within your family vacation. The first and most obvious is that you get to run in a place you have not seen before. New scenery and new faces always make a run more enjoyable. I love running new trails and neighborhoods and meeting new running friends. Runners are a friendly group and always willing to talk about a great restaurant or museum for out of towners to visit.
The second great reason to fit an organized race into your family vacation is for a little alone time for yourself. Family vacations are a great time to bond with your loved ones, but I have often found myself more stressed and tired when I return home. Whether it was the long car ride with the multiple “Are we there yet” questions or the cramped hotel room with the loud neighbors, sometimes traveling can be tough. There is nothing like an hour or two of quiet running time to destress your nerves and reenergize to fully enjoy and engage in your family time. All runners know that there is nothing quite like a runner’s high.
The third, and final reason I will note here to find an organized race on vacation, is that it gives you a chance to support a charity or cause that you may not have known about. Most races donate a portion of their proceeds to a local charity, many of whom are smaller and less known than some of our nationally recognized charities. Sometimes the charity will even be onsite collecting items or providing literature. This is a great opportunity to learn about the amazing groups doing good in our world.
Next time you are researching family friendly hotels and activities, don’t forget to include some time for yourself and see if there is an organized race being offered for you to participate in.
