Mr PugRunner and I were pretty excited to head north for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. It would be our very first Rock ‘N’ Roll event, and my first race in a different state (Yes, I think it would be incredible to run a race in every state. Two down, 48 to go!)
We had been looking for an event to run together, and while we had originally looked at the runDisney Wine & Dine Half in Orlando, RnR Virginia Beach was at a better time of year for us, and packed an extra bonus: we would get to spend Labor Day weekend with my brother- and sister-in-law, nieces and nephew! This is an event my brother-in-law has raced eight times and so it was also nice to be able to do something on his turf that he loved, especially considering he came down to support me during the WDW Marathon.
Labor Day Weekend is a huge deal in the northeast – it’s the last hurrah before school gets back in session and people spend the weekend at the beach (or shore, if you’re from NJ). It’s been quite a while since we actually did a “beach weekend”, and it was exciting to pack up the sand chairs and beach toys for the occasion.
We checked into our hotel, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Virginia Beach – North Beach on Friday morning. This was one of the Headquarter Hotels for the race, and one of the more reasonably priced ones when we booked. We were at the far (read: quiet) end of the boardwalk, oceanfront, on the second floor with a view of the pool and the beach.
The accommodations were fine. The nightly rate was high for a Holiday Inn, and it was a certainly an older building, but the rooms were clean and the staff very friendly. We gave up on the elevators entirely and we did have to have service when we realized that our faucet and half the outlets didn’t work, but once that was handled, the rest of the stay was perfectly pleasant.
After a breakfast of delicious pancakes with the family at the Pocahontas Pancake House,
We got checked in and into our bathing suits.
The weather was gorgeous, and I was able to sit and catch up on my reading while little man did some boogie boarding.
We enjoyed lunch at Cabanas at the Sheraton,
and I was thrilled that the weather was actually chilly. In fact, I had to put on a long-sleeve hoodie (and cracked up when one of the servers commented on it – if he only knew).
With full bellies, we left little man in the charge of his cousins so we could hit up the expo.
The conference center was about a ten minute drive from our hotels. Since we were still early in the day, it wasn’t at all crowded, and we had our packets in a matter of minutes.
Brooks had a huge space inside the expo, full of cute race-themed and regular apparel. We also had to make a stop for Mr PugRunner to get some Bondi Bands, and for his brother to sign up for next year’s RNR Virginia Beach. We checked out the latest flavors of Gu (Yay for apple, boo for maple bacon) and admired all the RNR medals on display.
There weren’t a ton of installations, but enough to make for some good browsing.
After we got some pictures, we made our way back to the hotels for dinner. We stayed up super late, wandering the boardwalk. Fuel was playing at one of the concert venues,
and little man took a bike ride with his cousins.
It was a great night.
Although I probably should have gotten some sleep, I wanted to try to see the sunrise and go pick up fresh donuts with my brother- and sister-in-law. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating.
Of course, donuts can brighten any day. These were made fresh and topped when we ordered. I was so excited to try Duck Donuts, and was NOT disappointed. I only wish we had one closer to home.
Little man slept LATE, so I hung out with him with Mr PugRunner went to hang out with his brother. When everyone was up and running (figuratively), we tried to go to the outdoor pool, but the wind was insane. Therefore, we gave the indoor pool a try. Little man has never before experienced an indoor pool and he loved it!
We had some excitement that afternoon when the power went out, affecting about four or five resort blocks. Yikes! It lasted just over an hour, but they did get everything up and running, in enough time for me to get dressed to head out to dinner with family.
Our reservations were at Mannino’s Italian Bistro, just a few blocks away. I was very impressed by their special menu for the evening
and ordered the tortellini, which was delicious.
I had a lovely glass of pinot noir to settle my nerves, and then we made our way back to the hotel to get some shut eye. We set out our outfits and gear (at which point I realized that I had left my arm pocket at home, which led to all kind of pouting and readjusting).
In the morning, we would run our very first Rock ‘n’ Roll event!
Are you excited to try out new race events or companies?
What’s your favorite pre-race dinner?
I love trying new race venues, it adds to the excitement! I think the RnR series is one of my favorite so far and you looked like you picked a great location! I registered for Diva St. Augustine so I am looking forward to seeing you for the 5K!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Fall Hopping with MySoxyfeet!
OMG I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!
That’s so awesome you got to see your family! I used to be anti- RnR, and then I wanted to run a half last Spring and RnR Raleigh was the only option.
I was BLOWN AWAY. Not only was it a PR, but the race was seamless and I was totally impressed!
Anne@candycrazedrun recently posted…It’s Been a While
It was really well done. It’s definitely a different from smaller, local races, but I enjoy all the bells and whistles sometimes, too. I’m always a big fan of lots of course support and crowd interaction, as well as fabulous bling, so this was right up my alley. I want to try out other ones in other cities.
I don’t have any pre-race traditions yet. I’m walking my 3rd 5K this weekend.
Cassi recently posted…Super Heroine Fitness Week 7
That’s awesome! Way to go!
Awesome recap. Its great you got to see your family. I def would like to add virginia beach to my race calender next year. Looks like a blast.
It was so fun! I love getting to run through new areas and especially by the ocean!
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
Sounds like such a fun time! I love going to destination races, it’s a great way to motivate the whole family. Favorite pre-race dinner is a thin crust pizza.
yum
Cristina @triathlonmami recently posted…Cuban Style Lamb Shanks – A New Family Tradition
It really is! I love pizza, too.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
Love new races and have always wanted to do an RNR! Hopefully next year!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…The Boyfriend Chronicles: Girlfriend Shaming
Oh, I hope you can! It was a great experience!
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
Destination races while a bit extra stressful, are SO MUCH fun! I can’t wait to read about the race itself.
Kind of a bummer the weather wasn’t on your side, but at least you had family to visit with!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursdays Threads
A little stressful, when you forget your arm pocket and it’s raining and you have to make alternate arrangements LOL!
But other than that, I am all over racecations!
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
I had a lot of fun exploring VA beach and the boardwalk last year. Sorry the weather was not cooperating for you all.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…One Week Periscope Challenge
It was kind of a bummer, but it worked out well for race day, so I can’t complain too much. I would have liked to spend more time reading on the beach, but the wind was just too crazy.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
looks like so much fun and tons of yummy food I’ve never traveled for a race yet but I would like to.
Ivanna recently posted…Non-Workout Ideas: How to Workout without Working Out
It’s such a great experience. We love traveling anyway, so to add in something we love (racing) makes it so much better. At least for me. Mr PugRunner may not agree.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
You selected a great end of the Boardwalk to stay on. Other than a couple of restaurants on the south end of the Boardwalk, I much prefer the quieter, north end.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…My Goals for Saturday’s Dulles Day 5k
On the one hand, it was certainly quieter. On the other, it was sooo far from everywhere. Especially with the wind and rain potential. I think I would probably try to scoot a little closer south if we do it again. We had a lot of sticker shock from the hotel rates, though and were trying to go for something a little more reasonable.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
So fun! VA Beach is such a great venue. I ran the Shamrock Half marathon there and loved it. My favorite pre race dinner is some sort of protein with sweet potato fries!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Stay Connected on your Run with the Timex Ironman One GPS +
I didn’t realize the Shamrock Half was there! I have heard great things about that race.
I usually do my protein for lunch and stick with some kind of pasta for dinner. It just works out better for me that way.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
Oooh thanks for the lowdown, I really wanted to run this race as one of my Tour Pass stops for the Rock n Roll series, but I always have to work the Sunday of Labor Day weekend! I knew there was no way to run in the a.m. and then work in the afternoon in DC! Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Feel Gooder With ZonePerfect Perfectly Simple Bars + a Coupon!
Oh, that’s hard – definitely would have been tough to manage a race and then getting back to DC for work. The last thing I would want is to be in a car for that amount of time after running 🙁
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
Ive wanted to do this race for SO long and it looks like y’all had a blast!! So doing this next year!
Jessica recently posted…Week 21 Bump Update
Yay! You will love it!
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend
Rock n Roll always puts on an amazing race series. It looks like you enjoyed yourself and had a great time too! 🙂
rachel recently posted…Talk Like a Pirate Day
It was such a blast!
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: rock n roll virginia beach, expo & weekend