Today my buddies over at the DC Trifecta (Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney) are talking about places they’d love to run. Since I’m kind of race obsessed, let’s talk about places I’d love to race. Obviously, since I’m planning to run a race (and hopefully a half marathon) in all 50 states, I could easily list any state I haven’t raced in yet, but there are definitely places that rank higher on the list than others. One of the places that might have been on the list is Ireland. I’m so very excited to not only get to vacation there this summer, but to also get to run a half marathon there. My first international race! (Just for the record, I had a really hard time only listing 5. I’d pretty much be up for traveling anywhere in the US and many places world wide to race. If I can get a good beer as part of the adventure, I’ll be the happiest girl around.)
1. San Diego – M y brother lives there and I don’t get to see him very often (you know, that whole opposite coasts thing). I haven’t been there since I was pregnant with Shoo 9 years ago, but I LOVED the area. Given a choice, I’d run the Navy’s Bay Bridge Run that goes from downtown San Diego over the Coronado Bridge. Even better, there are some really excellent brewpubs that we could visit while there. Definitely a win/win all around!
2. Finger Lakes, New York – If I were ever going to have a vacation house, it would be in that area. We’ve vacationed there twice and are already talking about going there again next summer for vacation. Lots of wine, lots of brewpubs, and just an absolutely beautiful area. Top of my list for races there is the Boilermaker 15K. It’s sponsored by Saranac Brewing, which is not only makes good beer, it was the “gateway” to my love of craft beers. In fact, the first cat we got after we got married was named Saranac Black and Tan LOL.
3. Alaska – I’ve been there twice and once I even raced there and I really want to go back. I love love love Alaska. I ran a 10 miler there a couple of years ago, but I’d really like to get in a half marathon sometime too. I would do any of the races there, but there is one in Skagway that sounds both scary and enchanting. Since I seem to have a thing for hard and hilly, it seems right up my alley!
4. Iceland – Again, I’ve been there, but I’ve never raced there. Iceland is an absolutely gorgeous place. Beer Geek and I spent an amazing 3 days there before we had kids and I’d go back in a heartbeat. And what race would I run? The Midnight Sun Run, which offers a half marathon that starts in the evening. Afterwards, you can soak in the natural hot springs and steam baths. Yeah, that sounds about perfect!
5. And since this is all “dream talk” and not an actual bucket list (ok, the first three are races I will likely run eventually and the fourth is on the “someday” list), my final choice for places I’d love to run is the Grand Canyon. I’ve been in all 50 states and done a fair amount of international travel, but I’ve never actually been to the Grand Canyon. (I know.) And I have no intention of ever training on trails enough to be able to do Rim to Rim to Rim (or even Rim to Rim), but yeah, running that would be AMAZING.
Where would you like to race or run? Do you have a place that’s extremely unlikely, but you like to dream about occasionally?
All great choice. I LOVE running in San Diego, one of my favorites and I would definitely love to run in Alaska as well. I’ve never been there.
San Diego is gorgeous. Too bad it’s just as expensive as here…
And I love Alaska. I’d go back every summer if I could.
Iceland & Alaska! Definitely two places I would love to run.
I would love to do the Marathon Des Sables!! Would take some serious training though!
I’m pretty sure the MdS is way outside my abilities. (And I hate to be hot LOL)
Wow, congrats for visiting all 50 states! What an accomplishment! I’ve visited alaska, I wish I would have thought about going for a run while I was there…haha!
I never even considered Alaska or Iceland great ideas. Someone likes to run in cool weather. Great list!
I much prefer cool weather. If I can drag my family north in the summer, I do it. LOL
I love your choices, especially San Diego. We visited San Diego last summer and I absolutely loved the city, especially Coronado. I would love to get back there, especially to run a race.
It’s a beautiful place, but sadly similar in traffic and $$ to DC, so no chance of ever living there.
Love this list! I’ve been to the Grand Canyon but it was many many years ago before running was a part of my daily diet 😉 would love to race in Arizona in general though.
At some point I will get there. It’s high on my list of places to take the kids.
This is a great list! I have a marathon or half marathon in my home country of Estonia. It’s supposed to be a wonderful race and it would mean the world to me. Hopefully one day!
That would be really cool!
I have wanted to visit Ireland, and hike and run there…..but I hadn’t thought of combining it with a race. Wonder if it’s best to do the race at the beginning or end of trip.
In our case, the race is at the beginning, which is probably good. I can be trained, run my race, and then just enjoy myself for the rest of the time we are there.
Everything sounds so beautiful! Iceland, Ireland, wow! I hope to make it to all 50 states one day!
I love to travel. My kitchen may never get renovated, but I’ll have cool memories!
Alaska! Yes — I love your list : ) See ya next weekend 🙂
Oh my goodness, based on all of those pictures I will now add all of your places to MY places!! I’m not very adventurous as far as traveling to run go, but I do love finding new trails and runs in my own area.
Great list. Definitely some to add to my “dream and maybe” list.
Nike Women’s Marathon Half in San Francisco – beautiful scenery, October weather usually good, can’t say enough about food/beer.
Carlsbad Half – just north of San Diego, nice course, great break in January from DC slush/snow.
Marathon de Duex Rives in Quebec City, Quebec. End of August, leave sultry DC weather behind for a well run event in a lovely city. They even appreciate your efforts to speak French.
I’m a little obsessed with visiting Iceland myself at the moment. Those spas just look amazing & what a nice treat after a good run?!
I’d love to do the Big 5 in South Africa. What could possibly be better than running through a game park supported by men with guns to keep you from becoming a lion’s lunch?
San Diego is triathlon heaven so it is high on my list as well. My you’ve been around!!! when are the kids gonna start travel-racing? 😉
Oh you did very good – GRAND CANYON? Your glutes will be rock hard and so firm after running there you won’t know what to do with yourself. The Grand is gorgeous and very steep so a decline or incline run would make me nervous. Excellent choices though.
Ha! My glutes are crying just thinking about it.
Yay Alaska! I just moved here and yes, the running here is AMAZING. Perfect running weather all summer long, and amazingly beautiful trails to run on. I live in Seward and just running down the street here is more beautiful than any run I ever did back in Philly! Also, I totally want to run at the Grand Canyon as well, but I’m definitely not up to any crazy races there!
So jealous! I’d move to Alaska in a heartbeat, but no way would my husband join me…
I recently learned of rim to rim and it is now on my list too! It looks so beautiful and presents a huge challenge at the same time.
I was interested in where you’d pick since you’ve been able to run so many places! 🙂
I’m really lucky that my husband prioritizes traveling over “things”, so we do travel a lot. Which means I get to run a lot of cool places. Win!
I’ve never thought about visiting Finger Lakes, NY – but that sounds amazing! Thanks for the tip!
Love that area and it’s an easy drive. I’d seriously go there every summer if my husband could take the summer off…
My 5 would be: Marathons in NYC, Chicago, Paris, London, & the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike.
Great list!
Great list! I think you have inspired me to run all 50 states! Alaska and Iceland look amazing!!
You should! So many cool places in the U.S.!