Blog: Feature Stories

Let’s face it. Not every vacation can revolve around your running. That’s heresy to some, but the reality for most of us. Come vacation time, there’s family, theme parks, the beach or the mountains, sightseeing and selfies, or any number of “distractions” to force us off our training schedule. But with a little planning, you can find the time and the place to get your run on. You’ll be glad you did. And odds are pretty good your travel companions will be, too.

Area Race Calendars

Before you confirm the OOO auto-response, keep the laptop fired-up for just a few more minutes to search the area race calendars for an event in or near your destination. Odds are good that if your travel plans span at least one weekend, you can find a race or event to run. And, if you’re traveling with late sleepers, you’ll probably be back before the rest of your crew even wakes.

Crowdsourcing

Yes, social media can be more than a source for doom scrolling, recipes, and graduation pictures. Put it out to the universe and ask for recommendations on races, routes, and run clubs in the place you’ll be visiting. Everyone’s got an opinion on stuff, and you know what they say about that. If you’re the cautious type, keep your travel plans and itinerary to yourself.

Local Running Shops

No one knows the local running scene like the folks who work in and around it on the daily. Local specialty running shops know the gear, of course, and they’re in step with the runners, clubs, and events in their respective hometowns. Google up the running shops in the place you’ll be visiting and give them a call. Too many options? Start with your hometown shop. They’ll probably have a recommendation for an in-the-know shop in your destination.

Hotel or Resort Front Desk

Depending on the local running scene, some hotels and resorts have maps with running routes from or near your location. It’s rare to find a hotel that doesn’t book exclusively online, so save this ask for check-in when you actually might get to speak to a person IRL.

Heat Maps

Want to know where the locals really go? Check the Strava, Garmin, or other providers’ heat maps to see the most popular routes in the area. Well, at least the most-traveled among the folks who also use those services to track their runs… Regardless, they’re generally a pretty good gauge of where runners log the most miles. Most of these platforms have a free version that will get you access at some level. Want something free? Check out popular routes submitted to USA Track and Field at http://legacy.usatf.org/routes/index.asp

Got more suggestions on how to find time and places to run this summer? Let us know! Email ed@runcharlotte.com

Yield: 4 servings

Salad Ingredients:

• 6 cups kale (preferably baby kale)
• ¼ cup dried cranberries (Craisins)
• ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
• 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup olive oil blend
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt & pepper to taste

Method of Preparation:

• Prepare kale. Wash, if needed, and dry with salad spinner or vegetable towel.
• Remove any tough stems from the kale. On a cutting board with a large knife, shred the kale into very thin slices. Transfer to a serving bowl.
• Whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add enough dressing to the prepared kale to thoroughly coat. Toss to mix well.
• Add cranberries and pumpkin seeds, mixing well.
• Lastly, crumble in the goat cheese. Mix just enough to combine.
• Serve.

Notes:  

• Olive oil blend is preferred. Sometimes the EVOO can overpower the other ingredients in this dressing.
• Make extra dressing. Refrigerate for your next salad! Keep for at least a week.
• If goat cheese is not your favorite, you can substitute feta cheese, parmesan, or Manchego.
• If you want to make this vegan, omit the cheese (or use a dairy-free substitute), and swap maple syrup for the honey.

Your feet aren’t off the clock once your run is done. Whether you’re walking, standing, or moving about, your feet are on the job most all day long. Ever tracked your steps outside of your runs and walks? With work, school, errands, and just living… time on your feet can add up pretty fast.

When it’s finally time to kick up your feet, take a few more steps – figuratively, of course – to really treat your feet. Here are some ways runners like you go the extra mile for their feet, after going a few miles on their feet!

Lotion and fluffy socks at night! – Kate Hamilton

Compression sleeves on my feet are like a tight hug (and make such a difference) – Mandy Carter

Shoutout to my nail salon. Pedicures and walking barefoot in the house are key. – Jay Jamison

Being barefoot in the grass as often a possible! – Tia

Scrub after showers and lotion before bed. – Marty Flores

A few minutes a few times a week I do some foot mobility routines. A little goes a long way! – Sandy Johnson

Toe spacers and barefoot/minimalist shoes. – Jonathan Landi

Oofos after long runs! – Haley Heartley

Oofoos in the house while walking on hard surfaces and after runs for recovery! – David Small

Proper socks (shout out to Feetures), Oofos sandals when I’m not wearing shoes, and pedicures. Part of my wife’s gift for my 40th birthday this year was a gift certificate for a pedicure. – Philip Sanford

Hoka recovery slides!  And the occasional use of a foot roller/massage ball when they’re feeling super tight.  – Anthony Cortina

Pedicures — Meg Taylor

Toe yoga, pedicures occasionally, massage, compression socks, good footwear whenever possible, and limiting time in heels. – Jessica Carranti

Got some great tips on how YOU treat your feet? Let us know in the comments, or email is your advice to ed@runcharlotte.com

Maybe your mom’s one of those “mother runners,” or maybe she’s your biggest cheerleader. Maybe you’re the mother who does the running these days. Either way, and no matter your relationship or memories of Mom, running is a tie that binds and heals. With that in mind, we asked some of our Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors about their running, their mothers, and their own memories.

My favorite thing to do when I visit home is run with my mom! She jokes about our paces being different, but it’s the quality time together that matters most. – Kate Hamilton

My mother, who was never able to attend any school sporting event my whole life, came to my second half marathon to cheer for me and enjoy the post-race party with me. One of my favorite surprises of my adult life! She passed away a year later. – Sandy Johnson

Growing up I remember running a few times with my mom, but really she has been my biggest supporter! She’s traveled to many races with me, let me run when we go on vacation, and always allowed me to pick the post-run pizza spot :blush: — Meg Taylor

My mom delays breakfast and gift opening every Christmas morning for me to go get in a run, even though I’m the only runner in the fam! – Josh Rhodes

Mothers Day weekend 2020, I went to Camp Lejeune since my son was restricted from leaving base. My brother was stationed in Jacksonville at the time we ran our own Mothers Day 5K and my son stationed in AZ also ran a 5K same time and we FaceTimed after. — Deanna Nichole

My mom is not a runner, but she is a swimmer!  Years ago we did a triathlon relay in Wilmington with other family members where she swam and I ran.  Being able to be a part of the same race and celebrate that afterwards is a fun memory. — Anthony Cortina

When I ran my first full marathon back in 2019 my mom came to cheer me on. I was beyond nervous about completing this race because I did not know what to expect. By the end I was brutally exhausted and didn’t know how I was going to carry on. Seeing my mom at the cheer section near the finish line meant everything to me and made my finish an amazing experience. — Brooke Shepard

I’ve run the Muddy Princess 5k obstacle for the last 3 years. I have done a ton of events but this run is completed with 2 of my closest friends.  The 3 of us moms do this to show other moms they are unstoppable. – Tracy Dean