• Zoomed in look at Godzilla's head and claw above a building

    Visiting Godzilla on the Way to the Tokyo Marathon

    It was race day – 1 in Tokyo and time to ACTUALLY take it easy. But never fear, we still have a few fun things in store for you. Walk with us this week as we go visiting with Godzilla on the way to the Tokyo Marathon. Breakfast and a Covid Test As usual, our morning started at the Italian restaurant attached to our hotel (aka The Crevice.) And we had our typical Japanese breakfast of salad, rice with curry gravy and coffee. Frankly, I was REALLY into it by this time. What WAS new this day…taking a Covid test. Stephen had to upload two negative tests in order to…

  • Woman kissing a runner at the Boston Marathon

    On the Road from Boston to London

    Hey all! Super quick update for you. This week we are on the road from Boston to London! We don’t really have the quiet time we need to share a more in-depth article so here are just a few highlights. The Boston Marathon Experience with Destination Marathons We had the amazing opportunity to spend time with the team from Destination Marathons while we were in Boston. Here are some pics of the bus tour we took with Tom Derderian winning coach for the Greater Boston Track Club, President of the USA Track and Field New England Association, author and producer of Boston: The Documentary. We also enjoyed doing a Coffee…

  • Woman with wind-blown hair and a man in a ball cap standing on a pier over the ocean.

    Beachy Vibes and Fast Race Times in Jacksonville

    Stephen says, 2023 is the “Year of the Marathon”. His crazy race calendar kicked off with the Dopey Challenge in Orlando and it’s looking like it might end with Honolulu in December. Last week, he shared the race report for the DONNA half. This week, I’d love to share with you the rest of the beachy vibes and fast race time in Jacksonville Beach. The Arrival Unlike our typical trip, our flight didn’t leave until 8pm. This led to a rather leisurely trip to the airport and a little extra time in the Delta Lounge. I took advantage of the unstructured time to have a glass of house Rose’ while…

  • Race medal in pink with a palm treat that reads “Destination Donna 2023”

    The DONNA Race Recap

    What a great weekend in Jacksonville Beach with Destination Marathons (DM) for the DONNA Half Marathon. I think Jill is going to write about the trip as a whole next week so today you are stuck with my race recap.  Pre-Race Dinner and Auction After our pre-race pasta dinner on Saturday evening at the Four Points Sheraton with DM, filled with laughter and great conversation, Jill and I snuck out with a perfectly executed Irish Exit. With our hotel, The Element by Marriott, being only a one minute drive away, I was able to achieve my first race goal of being in bed by 8 pm and asleep by 9…

  • Black suitcase with a luggage tag that reads “Destination Marathons”

    Diplomatic Immunity

    I’m so excited to be traveling down to Jacksonville Beach this weekend to take part in the DONNA Race Weekend as an Ambassador for Destination Marathons. Although diplomatic immunity isn’t one of the perks, it’s exciting to be a part of something that combines two of my favorite things to do, travel and run.  The Mission Destination Marathons provides a VIP experience for runners and spectators. They manage all the logistics so guests can focus on the race, build friendships, and create memories. And I will get to witness this in action for the first time! As one who generally does all the planning that goes into a “racecation”, it’s…