Runcations are always exciting but stressful. To help alleviate some of the stress the right traveling and running companions are a must. Christine and Chronda were just right for this adventure.

In addition to packing all your gadgets for the race (aftershokz earphones, spibelt, hydration bottle, TomTom running watch, UCAN nutrition, and Brooks running shoes), you must also consider your wardrobe for the weekend following all the restrictions of the airline's luggage rules. Let's face it, although you are going to run a race, there will still be some off the pavement shenanigans.

We arrived in the Bahamas midday on Friday giving us time to eat some Bohemian food in the fish trap; then we put on our little black dresses to experience the Bahamas nightlife.

About last night? Let's just say what happens in the Bahamas stays in the Bahamas. So glad the race was on Sunday.

We woke up Saturday morning, ordered room service for breakfast, then headed to the straw market before picking up our packets.

The expo (packet pick up) was very small with only one vendor that offered actual running paraphernalia. The other tables consisted of local organization information and health information such as breast cancer awareness.

I was somewhat disappointed because the expo for me is a great place to find new running gadgets. With this being the first International race, I was hoping to buy some unique items not offered in the states.

It’s race day! Just like any other race we get up at 4 am to meet the 5:15 am shuttle bus to the starting line. The energy of the runners and the announcer was fantastic.

As the race begins, before I could complete 1 mile, the heat and the humidity are already causing me to "sparkle." As I approach mile 2, I see the infamous hills ahead. Although I didn’t do much hill training for this race, I did not expect what I saw. If you remember watching the ”Price is Right” game show, I felt like that little man climbing up the mountain on the game show. Only I had to do it twice with no prize at the end.

The remainder of the course was flat; the scenery was beautiful. Running along the oceanfront was terrific. The finish line was on the beach, and the metal was gorgeous. Upon completing the race, after taking a few selfies, and group photos, all I could do was take off my shoes and compression socks and head into the ocean.

If you have never run in the Bahamas, you should add it to your 2020 calendar. "Because Running Is....Better in the Bahamas"

The BMW Dallas Marathon is a superb running event that promotes health and fitness for the youngest to the oldest runners. For years I watched this televised race and wondered "Why am I not out there?!" Thank God this year was different! I ran the half marathon, and it was beyond amazing. It was an honor to be a part of such an amazing event.

The Expo
Lately, the races that I have participated in did not appear to invest much into the planning nor recruitment into the expo. As a runner, I found this odd because I look forward to the perks that expos present: awesome packet pick up selfies and both new and familiar run products. When my mother ( a fellow runner) and I arrived, we were so excited to see all of the vendors, new races to enter, and the custom BMW merchandise.

We did more than walk around; we found ourselves leaving with some new Brook and HOKA shoes, Aftershokz headphones (for mom, I already own a pair and love them!!), Feetures socks ( a new favorite), Bondi Bands, and hydration bottles. For us, Santa definitely arrived early.

In addition to shopping, we also had the opportunity to try the UCAN products a slow release complex carbohydrate that provides steady long lasting energy. After trying the drink, I must say that I enjoyed the taste and thought long and hard about using it on race day! However, if you've been following my post you're familiar with rule number 1, “Don’t Do Anything Different on Race Day.” I followed the rule but made a mental note to use it during training as I prepare for my next race ( so be on the lookout for the product review).

Race Day
It’s the morning of the race, and as usual, I’m nervous and anxious. I’m not sure of where to park, and I don't want to wear too many layers of clothes. I start the morning with a peanut butter granola bar, Celsius energy drink ( 1 hour before starting), and Beet Performer in my hydration bottle (remember I run on veggies) and two packets of GU in my SPIbelt.

The corrals started in waves; I felt as if I walked a mile to the starting line and I must admit I hoped that this counted towards my final total lol. It was a very scenic route, which I always enjoy because it allows me to find new places to visit in the city. The course for the half marathon has flat, with a few inclines but no undoable hills and for this, I was extremely grateful.

While running all I could hear was cheering, words of encouragement, and good music (I don’t recall any gospel music, but that’s ok, I was surely jamming some through my aftershokz). The crowd support was simply amazing, and the water stations were both energetic and encouraging. The DJ’s and live music along the route were a nice touch as they added more energy to the race.

The Swag
After completing 13.1 miles you know I was excited to see the bling. My new medal is carved with popular Dallas sites (classy and beautiful), but that’s not all, we also received a finisher’s shirt (surprise). Did I mention that we received a race t-shirt at packet pick up? BMW definitely went all out on this one!!!

If you are looking for a well-organized race, that allows you to run through the streets of Dallas, I would add the 2019 BMW Dallas Marathon to your race calendar, the 2nd weekend in December. I plan to run again next year, but I hope I can get my family to form a relay team.

It's 8:00 am and I am still laying in bed on a Saturday morning, but wait, it's race day, did I oversleep? No, for the first time, I’m running an evening race, the Trinity River Run. Of course, I’ve run social 5k’s in the evening but never an official race, with a set goal and a medal dangling like a carrot at the finish line.

I enjoyed not getting up and standing in the corrals at 6 or 7 am, but there is a downfall to running an evening race, nutrition. My routine for race morning consists of a green or beet juice, maybe a banana (since starting the Ketoterian plan this has been eliminated), and my new pre-race fuel a Celsius energy drink. Now, what should I eat between 8:00 am - 5:30 pm (start time)? I began with a large meal in the morning, a salad for lunch, then Buda juice until race time. I do admit that I had a little snack binge between 3 and 4 pm.

The weather in Texas has changed from hot and humid to crisp and cool, which is perfect weather for running. But, I have one little secret to share, I have not yet figured out how to dress for cool weather, I tend to overdress because I’m cold in the corrals but today, I’m going to follow the guidelines for running in less than 50 degrees weather, long or cropped pants, long sleeve top, thin liner gloves (optional).

Before registering for the Trinity River Run, I was a little apprehensive because I had heard unfavorable reviews from other runners, but being an educator, I have learned not to make judgments from reviews or others without giving it a chance myself.

The venue on the Trinity bridge (Dallas, Texas) was consistent to other races held at this site, with vendors lined alongside the bridge, plus a VIP tent for those who choose the VIP registration. The VIP package included a parking area, pre-race snacks (trail mix, nuts, fruit, and beverages), a port-a-potty area and heaters. A nice addition that I recommend if it's in the budget.

Due to the amount of rain that Dallas had experienced over the past several weeks, the route was adjusted causing the race to not run along the Trinity riverfront, but the new course was better in my opinion because it didn’t have any uneven (gravel) surface areas. I enjoy running along the Trinity riverfront, but I am not a fan of the rocky areas.

I didn’t learn my lesson from the haunted half race, once I again I ran without water, but there was a sufficient amount of water stations. Although the weather is cold, that doesn’t eliminate dehydration, so hydration stations with water and electrolytes are a must.

The Skyline Challenge was an added twist to the race. It challenged you to complete a Half + 10k + 5k = 22.4 miles in one night. Not quite a Dopey Challenge but it’s a challenge that deserves four finisher medals plus bragging rights. I wasn’t up for the challenge this year, but there is always next year.

The medals were impressive. There was a different finisher medal design for each race, 5k; 10k; Half; the Skyline Challenge and a Virtual Run.

I enjoyed this race, and I will place it on my 2019 calendar. What about you? Looking to do a night race, give the Trinity River Run a try.

The morning started like every Monday morning, the alarm sounds at 5 am, and I begin my day by doing some morning miles on the treadmill before volleyball practice at 7 am. The only difference was an Instagram DM from a fellow runner asking if I registered for “The Race” in Atlanta. So, the seed was planted, I had not registered, but I was very interested at that point. Three days later, registration was done ✔️, and I’m headed to Atlanta for The Race.

Exactly what is The Race? It was a half-marathon and 5k presented by the Unity Collective group designed to uplift the community.

The weekend festivities began with a meet and greet reception for the VIP runners which allowed the runners to fellowship with each other and network about upcoming races. The Expo was held on Friday which featured African American vendors; a speaker series and a fitness series, which I found to be a different spin for an expo, educating the community and runners is definitely a plus in my book.

It’s race day, and as I approached the venue I could hear a version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” being sung and Greek Fraternities and Sororities representing in their run paraphernalia. Of course Delta Sigma Theta with the slogan “Run DST “ was present in large numbers, and of course, I’m a member of DST. Running with my Soror’s made this race extra special and I really needed their encouragement when I hit the wall around mile 7 or 8, I guess I should have expected this since I haven’t run more than six miles since July.

The course went through historically black neighborhoods in Southwest Atlanta like West End, Adair Park and Sylvan Hills, which was filled with rolling hills. Not just your average rolling hills but disrespectful hills, but just as I felt I could not run another hill a fellow runner would provide some encouraging words to help me run another mile.

The crowd support was awesome from cheers, D. J.’s and homeowners. As I approached mile 12 which was a mountain, I was meet with a crowd of supporters, and fellow runners who I had finished the course was cheering runners to the finish line. I notice a small medal around the necks of some of the runners, and all I could think was I know that I have not run all these hills for this small medal? It turns out the medal that I had seen were 5k finishers and he half medal was a larger medal worthy of the challenge that I had just completed.

The race did not end once you crossed the finish line because on Sunday runners participated in a community service project which made a further impact on the community. The Race was more than just a run it was an empowerment movement which not only made an impact on me as a runner but also the community and charities that benefited from this race.

So, if you are looking for a challenging course and a race with a purpose save the date for the “The Race” 2019 in the ATL. To stay updated on this movement follow their page on IG @therace_uc.

On the 4th of July we celebrate freedom, food, and fireworks, but for runners this year we also celebrated the freedom to run. I began my holiday celebration by running 5 hot as a fire-a-cracker miles.

As I approached the starting line the traditional protocols where in place such as the singing of the National Anthem, but today the song had just a little more meaning since it is the 4th of July, on this day we are celebrating 242 years of freedom for the USA. As you looked around you saw runners dressed in all types of patriotic attire, from flag shorts, to tank tops, tights, visors, actual American flags, and a sea of red, white and blue. The song is over, Mr. Paul Lambert, Race Director, has given us some words of encouragement, and the energy is high. There’s only one thing left to do, RUN!

This race had something for everybody. If you are a novice or elite runner then it offered a 5 mile run. The route was a mixture of flat pavement, inclines, and full hills. Which I really enjoyed because I like a challenge, who has time to get up early on a holiday for an easy course? Not this runner.. Also, let’s take into consideration the more challenging the course the more calories burned, which means I can eat, drink and be merry for the reminder of the day.

Not quite ready to run or walk 5 miles, or you want to bring the little one and a stroller, or maybe you just need to get your steps in so you can win the fitbit challenge (I don’t know how we ever made it without tracking our steps), then the 2 mile walk would be perfect for you. The 2 mile walk started 45 mins after the 5 mile run which was great because then no one feels intimidated by the elite runners, and the other runners didn't have the frustration of the weaving between strollers. Now, I did see a couple of strollers on the 5 mile run but I can’t complain because their pace was better than my pace, (maybe I need to get me a stroller, don’t worry next year my granddaughter should be ready to join the party).

I did say this race had something for everyone so you guessed it, they offered a 2 mile walk for the dogs (our fur babies). The 2 mile dog walk started with the 2 mile run which was perfect. The race description for our fur babies emphasized well behaved fur babies so that meant I had to leave my fur daughter Kyla at home. To make it even more special the fur babies also received race swag, that included a race bib, bandana, and a finishers medal, AWESOME!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better the clock struck 10am and the announcer called for the kids race. What? there’s more… I thought the kids/strollers ran with their parents, but no they had their own race experience. As the children lined up to run 100m, 400m, or 800m you could see the excitement in their eyes and the competitive spirit in the older kids.

On your mark, get set, go, and off they went some by themselves and some like Jaxx Fitts with pacifier in mouth, needed any extra push (no stroller) from mom (Tara), but he finished on his own upright and happy. Some of the bigger kids loved it so much that crossed the finish line did a u-turn and ran it again. I just love to see kids moving!!!

The temperature was already a hot and humid 87 degrees at 8am when the race started. Due to the heat, hydration was a must and there was adequate water stations along the route but smart runners also carried hydration with them (I wasn’t a smart runner). Although the sun was high in the sky and the temperature was raising the route was really shady which was definitely a plus.

At the finish line there was a little surprise twist for hydration, WATERMELON! In addition to regular H2O, there was a table of quarter sliced sweet and refreshing watermelon(I think they read my blog on how to beat the heat).

This added touch made the race feel more like a family affair because you saw runners and their families sitting on the lawn, some with blankets enjoying the watermelon, music and some adult hydrations sponsored by Samuel Adams.

Not only was there a twist with the watermelon but there was another twist, the medal or can you say medallion. The medallion was a great design of the race logo, the twist was it was rubber instead of the traditional medal. Some runners found this to be less than their expectations for bling but I thought it was different, practical and nice. The thought that crossed my mind was the medallion was also given to the kids and the fur babies, so how safe would a sharp and heavy metal be for them.

I can’t say enough about this race, but don’t just take my word, grab your entire family, mark your calendar and sign up for the 5 on the 4th 2019, you will not be disappointed.