Vacation and Running

Last week, we visited a friend in Kure Beach, North Carolina. Kure Beach is located on a island sandwiched between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean about 30 minutes from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Kure Beach is on the bottom half of the island and is about 3.5 miles long.  Kure Beach is mostly residential ending with Fort Fisher and the ferry to Southport.  One of the nicest features about Kure is that no building is allowed to be over 3 stories high and there are only local businesses in Kure.  Carolina Beach is the other half of the island and there are some high rise hotels along with fast food however it is still very lovely.

Kure is also known for its fishing pier and there is a new oceanfront park which was finished last year.  It is the only beach on the East Coast that doesn't charge for daily parking.  Here are some pictures where I ran short runs.  

Kure Beac Pier

Kure Beach Pier

Waterfront Park for Kure Beach

Waterfront Park for Kure Beach

Kure Beach "Boardwalk"

On one of my longer runs (16 miles), I went from one end of the island to the other and ended at Fort Fisher.  Fort Fisher is a Civil War fort at the end of the island.  Look at the way the trees have grown due to the winds from the ocean!

Trees at Fort Fisher

Another day, I ran to Fort Fisher and took the ferry to Southport.  I love the ferry because it is about 25-30 minute boat ride and you can take your car. North Carolina ferry system is the second largest in the country.  I had forgotten however that it is 2 miles into Southport once you arrive and had already ran 5 miles so I had 2 more to do and then ran around Southport before catching the ferry back to Kure Beach.  Southport is known for his lovely southern houses along with movies/tv shows.  Several shows/films shot in Southport are Under the Dome, Safe Haven, Revenge, The Secret Life of Bees.  I love Southport especially the houses.  I loved running here a couple of days.  

Southport Ferry

Cars on Ferry

Kure Beach Ferry -returning to Kure

Christmas House in Southport

Southport Park

Some of the homes in Southport

A home in Southport

Another home in Southport

I also went into Wilmington one evening to a fun run at Try Sports http://www.trysports.com/page/index.  I loved the staff and people and we even went out afterwards to a local restaurant!  I never thought that I would bring my love of running into a vacation but it was so much fun!  How have you incorporated running into a vacation?  This was my first "running" vacation but it won't be my last! 

Another Mother Runner Party

Last Wednesday (October 2, 2013), I had the opportunity to attend Another Mother Runner party in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Another Mother Runner ( http://anothermotherrunner.com/) is two mother runners:  Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea.  These two women have an active website which includes a store, books, forums, facebook and twitter pages along with weekly podcasts.  Their two books are "Run Like a Mother" and "Train Like a Mother".

  











I attended with my friend, Julie and we arrived early so I had the opportunity to take some pictures of the food and merchandise available for sale.

Chips and nuts

Wine and water along with socks and inserts

Brownie squares

Don't these cookies look amazing!

T-shirts, books and sweaty bands

There were also raffle prizes to be given away by their sponsors which included  Nunn, Saucony, SofSole, Skinfare, Smithoptics and Knuckle Lights.  

Nunn and water bottles

SofSole inserts

Saucony (Raffle:  Gift certificates)

Smithoptics

Knuckle Lights

I couldn't believe all the raffle merchandise; isn't it amazing?  I asked what I could do to help since everyone was busy and we had arrived early.  I was asked to set up the registration/check-in table.  

The line started and it seemed like it never ended.  I saw my friend, Elisa who had I met this summer at the Biggest Loser 5K race in Washington, DC. It was so wonderful to see her again and I wished that I had the opportunity to visit more with her.  

After I finished checking in everyone (there were over 200 mother runners), I went upstairs and grabbed some food and water.  Dimitry and Sarah started the evening by introducing themselves and how they started this journey.

Sarah with Dimity off to the side

 Then they read some fun stories from both of their books.  I loved Dimity's story of the "Giving Path" which is a take-off of the "Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.  If you have read their books, they are both full of useful information and fun stories about mothers who are runners.  I would strongly suggest that you pick up one or both of their books!  The ladies did raffles between sharing stories and wrapped it up by thanking everyone for coming.  They were both extremely gracious in signing everyone books and taking pictures!

Dimitry and me

Sarah and me

We were also given swag bags full of merchandise.  Here are some of the vendor merchandise which was included in the bag:  Hyland's homeopathic remedies, Nuttzo bars, Gu, Nunn, LaraBar, Shampoo and Conditioner,  SkinFare and socks (3 pairs).

 I had a wonderful evening with friends, the opportunity to meet two beautiful, inspiration women runners who are mothers along with food, wine and swag!  What more could a women runner ask for except to be running a race and having a pr!

Remember, If you can dream it, you can do it!