ZOOMA Fun

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I came to run the ZOOMA Half Marathon; I may never leave…

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I’m in Amelia Island, Florida for the ZOOMA Half Marathon as a brand ambassador (they also have races in Texas, Annapolis, Cape Cod, and the Great Lakes region).  The cool thing about ZOOMA races is that they are designed as ‘girlfriend getaways’ and take place at swanky resorts.  This event is being hosted at the Ritz Carlton.  I have never seen such a great hotel room!

 

I literally gasped when I walked into my room… The design is so nice.  So many pretty colors and interesting textures.

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Work it, room.  Weeeerk it.

 

The view isn’t too bad, either.

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I arrived a little early, so I settled down in the lobby to read my new book – The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott.  I haven’t finished yet but it is SO good.  It’s about a seamstress abroad the Titanic and what happens after she finally makes it to New York.   Kind of fitting to read it in the Ritz Carlton because all the swankiness in the book was echoed in the swankiness of the hotel.

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And who did I stumble into in the elevator?  Why, Ms. Julie of Peanut Butter Fingers.

 

We made our way to the small expo – the race itself is on the smaller side (about 700 people total), which I love.  Small races rule. 

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They had all sorts of odds and ends, but the coolest thing I saw was the Skaper – it’s this maxi dress that you can tie around your neck so you can undress out of your sweaty workout clothes without flashing everyone.  And there’s even a pocket on the inside of the dress so you can stuff your wet underthings inside and no one will see.  Neat, huh?  The woman who invented it is only selling it at expos for the time being, so keep your eyes out!

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This booth got my attention…

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Julie’s, too. Winking smile

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After the expo, we made our way to a side room to listen to the course preview.  I don’t normally go to course previews, but I was SO glad that I went to this talk.  I learned that about 1/3 of the last mile will take place IN THE SAND.  Um, totally relieved that I know this ahead of time.  Running through sand is not my favorite – I need to mentally prepare myself.

 

And then, Julie and I gave a short talk.

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We discussed common race mistakes, such as: chafing, going out too fast, changing up your fueling plan, and wearing something new for race day.  All huge no-no’s.  But… of course, I forgot socks in Charlotte.  So I had to buy socks at the expo.  Which means I’ll be wearing something new tomorrow.  Eeeek.  Fingers crossed.

 

Off to enjoy this big, beautiful hotel room that I have all to myself.  I see hotel bed angels in my future (you know, like snow angels, but in bed).

{ 23 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More January 18, 2013, 5:54 pm

    What a gorgeous view. Good luck with the race tomorrow!

  • Amy Q January 18, 2013, 6:02 pm

    Have a great race, Caitlin! Enjoy it all! That’s the whole point, isn’t it? !:)

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 18, 2013, 6:18 pm

    Oh wow, this looks beautiful Caitlin! I might have to travel to the States just to do one of these ZOOMA events! Glad you had fun at the expo and good luck for the race!

  • Kayla @ Lovely Ride January 18, 2013, 6:28 pm

    aRgh so jealous! Have the best time! Hope the race goes swimmingly!

  • Michelle January 18, 2013, 6:40 pm

    Good luck tomorrow!!!!
    too bad they misspelled your website on that board 🙁

    • Caitlin January 18, 2013, 6:42 pm

      I know ;(

      • Amber K January 18, 2013, 9:03 pm

        I would have grabbed a pen and added a ^y. But then I am entirely too crazy for normal society 😉

  • Aja January 18, 2013, 7:43 pm

    That looks so awesome. I want to do awesome stuff and go cool places! Good luck tomorrow!

  • Coco January 18, 2013, 7:51 pm

    I love Amelia Island!!! Enjoy 🙂

  • Kristen L January 18, 2013, 7:56 pm

    Looks like a beautiful location! I wish they had a ZOOMA race out in CA that I could do with some girlfriends — sounds so awesome. I’m looking forward to seeing how your race goes tomorrow. Good luck!

  • Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life January 18, 2013, 8:30 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear how it went!

  • Luv What You Do January 18, 2013, 9:18 pm

    That looks like a super fun race! I will have to check out where in the great lakes the race is! So glad you are enjoying your day!

  • Jacquelynn January 18, 2013, 9:50 pm

    Good luck on your race! So fun that you and Julie are there together! Can’t wait to hear how the race goes 🙂

  • Catherine January 19, 2013, 12:08 am

    Good luck at your race!

    Amelia Island is my favorite place on earth, especially because my June bug was born at a hospital in Fernandina Beach. 🙂 We live in Jacksonville, but happened to be up there when I went into labor. I hope it brings you as much good luck as it brought me!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf January 19, 2013, 5:12 am

    That hotel room looks AMAZING!!!! Enjoy it – and good luck! 🙂

  • Jessi January 19, 2013, 8:50 am

    I am MUCHO jeally of that hotel room AND view!! Hope you hada restful night’s sleep and you kick butt today! The Dressmaker is on my holds list at the library (I’m a librarian) and should be coming soon. I’m a sucker for historical type novels like that. So glad you’re liking it!

  • Lee January 19, 2013, 9:00 am

    Good luck at the race! I did a Zooma race like a year ago and they had that same wine. They also had an egg and a slice of cheese in the post-race bags. I wonder if yours will have that too!

  • Sherri January 19, 2013, 10:45 am

    Ahhh I had a sand finish in one of my halves too and I didn’t know about it! My son and husband were cheering me on at the end and I just looked at them and mouthed “This is absolute torture!”

    Luckily, I ended up PRing which surprised me so much I started crying like a little baby.

    Good luck at the race and have lots of fun!

  • Lily - Lirio Style January 19, 2013, 2:13 pm

    Nice hotel room. The sun in the balcony is so inviting! And im still jealous of all this sun, sand and ocean. Have a great time in Florida, Caitlin!

  • Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin January 19, 2013, 2:21 pm

    That hotel looks so luxurious. Love the idea of that maxi dress for changing at the gym! Good luck on your race.

  • Ali January 19, 2013, 6:31 pm

    I hope you had a great race! That hotel looks so amazing:)

  • Nancy January 19, 2013, 7:08 pm

    Ha! That is my favorite hotel! I have amazing memories of that place with my sis… And, I always (can’t help it) compare every hotel I stay in to this one. None will compare- closest I came was Casa Monica in St Augustine this past December.
    Have a good race!
    We are 2 hours south. Should be good weather tmrw!

  • Emily @ Hungry Delights January 20, 2013, 6:27 am

    Wow everything looks gorgeous – the room the location – hope you have a wonderful time xo Emily

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