ZOOMA florida weekend

This is a sponsored post. I am a race Ambassador for ZOOMA Florida and have received a complimentary race entry as compensation for my post. All opinions are my own.

I was really excited for ZOOMA Florida weekend, for several reasons. For one, this was a great race last year and it would be nice to enjoy it again. For another, I would be spending a girls’ weekend with my mom at the lovely Ritz Carlton Amelia Island. It’s something we’d been planning since Mother’s Day of 2014, and it was certainly about time.

It would be a great way to unwind from the marathon and to get some R&R.

We headed to Amelia Island in the mid-morning. The drive was just over an hour, with a little break to grab gas and coffee. Perfectly pleasant.

We checked into the hotel and admired our view. You really can’t go wrong with the beach right outside.

Since I had a few activities scheduled for ZOOMA, I didn’t want to leave the property on Friday. I was starving, so we headed down to Cafe 4750 for a quick lunch. We both had the Salmon BLT, served with smashed avocado and capers. Superb.

While waiting for packet pickup to open and for Kristin to arrive, we headed out to the sand. My mom absolutely loves collecting shells, and so we strolled a few miles up and down the beach, just admiring what the tides were washing in.

Kristin texted me and we agreed we would meet at packet pickup. We chatted with Brooke from ZOOMA for a few minutes, and then with Mary Mac from Feetures!

We also ran into fellow Ambassador Mary Beth!

We had a little bit of time so we decided to chill out in our rooms and then grab a quick bite before our evening began.

Yummy sliders at Eight hit the spot.

Feetures! had invited the Ambassadors to a little champagne reception prior to race day, and they had seen to every detail, with fresh fruit and an assortment of vegetables,

as well as some lovely bubbly.

We chatted about the upcoming race and our running experiences as we sipped and snacked. It was nice getting to know everyone a little bit better and was definitely a great way to relax.

Feetures! also generously treated us to some goodies. In the form of socks! I am absolutely in love with my Feetures! Elite Ultra Light and Elite Light Cushion socks, and it was nice to add some more pairs to my running wardrobe.

They are soft and thin, and for someone who really dislikes socks in general, they are perfect because I barely know they are there. They also come in such fun color combinations.

Thank you for a lovely evening!

 After that, we headed to ZOOMA’s mocktail party in the Seaside Room off the lobby. Runners mingled with some delicious snacks and the most fabulous grapefruit infused water.

By this time, everyone had arrived (traffic was nasty) and so the party was in full swing!

We chatted and mingled, and then, at least for me, it was time for bed. Some of the ladies needed to grab dinner and others had to get back to their hotels.

I laid out my outfit

and mom and I settled in for an early wakeup call. I was hopeful that the weather was going to be pleasant rather than raw.

After last week’s pre race insomnia, I was thrilled to drift off quickly.

I was all set for my second ZOOMA Florida race!

What is your favorite race destination?

Do you prefer the beach or mountains?