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

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.

Work it, room.  Weeeerk it.

The view isn’t too bad, either.

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.

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. 

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!

This booth got my attention…

Julie’s, too.

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.

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).