traveling for a race solo

[smacky1]

Anyone travel solo to race events? Ive been a SAHM for 7 years and I feel like I could use a weekend away alone!!! I'd love to fly out to a cool location for a half marathon and I think DH would be ok with it. I know his big concern is saftey. What has been your experience with solo trips for a race? Part of me feels like maybe Im being selfish.

 

[cewait]

I am for it. What would really be a way around the safety issue is to hit destination race where you would know someone there. I say go for it.

(But then I travel about 35-45% of the year, mostly solo).

As a coach, I would counsel that you should have run the distance a few times so you know how your body reacts post race.

 

[FFigawi]

I travel to races solo all the time. Sometimes I spend the whole weekend by myself, and others I find friends from various online boards or social networks to hang out with. Either way, it's nice to get away.

 

[stitchfan18]

I did the wine and dine half partially solo. I flew down on my own, and was there for a day by myself before my SIL came to Disney for the race. It was a lot of fun, and I loved being able to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it.

 

[WDWFAN9]

The only race I've done truly solo was my first half in WDW in 2006. I went to the WISH meet, but that was it. I felt very comfortable being in Disney by myself (stayed for a week). With Magical Express and their bus transportation system WDW events are really easy to do solo.

I've also traveled to lots of other races by myself, but always met up with WISHers once I got there. We've done several races staying at hotels with free airport shuttles and races within walking distance of the start. It all depends on your comfort level.

I see you are in Maine, some of us will be doing the Providence RI RnR half in August, maybe you could meet us there?? You would still be traveling solo, but have the option of meeting WISHers if you'd like. Or check out the race calendar to see what other WISHers have scheduled. Sometimes it is just easier/cheaper to travel solo.

 

[SAHDad]

I do a couple races solo every year. As a SAHD, I claim race weekends as my own. It's usually a case of travel Friday, race Saturday, and either travel back on Saturday or Sunday.

 

[smacky1]

Thanks for all the input! Yes, I have run a half and a full marathon in the past. I will probably NEVER do a full again lol, but the half seems to be calling me lately. The Providence RI half sounds doable. I will have to check that out!

 

[MamaCrush]

I have only done two 5K races and I've done them both solo-- and both were at Disney. I too am a mom (but I work full-time outside the home) and I LOVE these weekends. They're different than my trips with the family. I get to do what I want, when I want. As Moms, we tend to focus so much on keeping everyone else in the family happy, we don't get to relax either. My kids think it's amazing I only do one or two rides while I'm there by myself!

As far as guilt goes, my DH fully supports that my running is for our health, and therefore benefits the whole family. And that's how he presents it to the kids when they get a bit whiney. But also, we're DVC members so the kids don't get short-changed in the going to Disney department!

Disney is a great place to run solo. I have met so many nice people on the buses to and from race activities and waiting for the start of the race. I would not hesitate one bit to tell you to go for it!

 

[FireDancer]

I have a couple of friends who I travel with for races but there have been a couple of races I wanted to do that I went solo. I went solo twice to Disney for marathon weekend, to Indy for the mini-marathon, and to a couple of other Ohio cities. I like it. I can check out whatever city it is at my own pace and see what (and only what) I want. If it is a larger event you might even be able to meet up with some WISHers. That Indy event ended up having a pre-race dinner with pretty close to 20 other WISHers.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thanks for all the input! Yes, I have run a half and a full marathon in the past. I will probably NEVER do a full again lol, but the half seems to be calling me lately. The Providence RI half sounds doable. I will have to check that out!

Yes, do that! There will be WISH Team representation there in Providence. I'm looking forward to it too.