Over Valentine’s Day weekend, I had the pleasure of heading to Bermuda for the Inaugural ZOOMA Bermuda races. I work for ZOOMA so technically this was a work trip, but getting to travel to a beautiful island to run/work is pretty much the best job ever. Sarah purchased the ZOOMA race series three years ago and since then every aspect of the race weekends has improved.
Getting to Bermuda
So this was a challenge. It’s Bermuda’s tourist “off-season” so there aren’t many flights heading there. Unless you live on the East Coast, you’ll likely have to connect, as I did, which is fine….if it works.
The night before I received a text saying my flight to Atlanta was pushed back an hour, which would already mean I’d miss my connection. Another text pushed it back another two hours. At that time I questioned whether I’d even make it to Bermuda on Friday at all.
I’ve no idea what prompted me to do it, but at 4:45am, ready to roll over and sleep more since my flight was so delayed, I checked my email and found a message from Delta saying they’d booked me on an earlier fight. AT 6AM!!!!!!!
I live 35 minutes from the airport so going from bed to pushing back from the gate in <an hour was preposterous. Caveman said “get in the car” so I sucked it up and we made a mad dash. As we raced to O’Hare, I checked in for the flight but the connecting flight out of Boston looked full so I had to stop at the desk before heading to security. The agent assured my they’d get me on so I pulled an OJ, sprinted to the gate and made that damn flight! It pays to be a runner, right?
The connection in Boston was just as tight, but I managed that as well. Sometimes I swear the universe just makes everything fall into place. I ended up getting to Bermuda an hour and a half earlier than I would have if my first flight plan had gone according to schedule.
I easily made it through customs, found my pre-arranged airport-hotel transport and was on my way. Phew!
Expo
Me, Cari and Darlene at the expo
The expo was a little different. Being an international race, ZOOMA sent our race shirts/swag to our homes so all we had to do was grab our race bib and any wristbands for transportation/tours we’d pre-booked. Easy peasy. There was food, courtesy of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, rum goodie packs courtesy of race sponsor Gosling’s Rum, a DJ and overall a celebratory vibe, even though I was working the registration table. I was exhausted from a long day of travel, but it was still fun.
Saturday
Saturday morning started with yoga that would have taken place on the massive hotel lawn overlooking the ocean, alas Mother Nature had other plans, so we stayed indoors. It was still relaxing and restorative.
Crystal Caves
The Crystal Caves were beyond amazing. They’re a must-see.
We spent the rest of the morning touring the Crystal Caves and had the first race of the weekend later that afternoon. In a word the weather was dreck. Windy, rainy and cold. By cold I mean 60 but with the wind and dampness it felt cold. We escaped the nasty weather being down in the caves all morning and the weather was “supposed to clear” by race time. Spoiler alert: It did not. Nevertheless, the caves were AMAZING. We followed our cave tour with lunch at the famous Swizzle Inn. Somehow I failed to take any pics there but rest assured, fun was had by all and the food was great.
Lighthouse Run
Thank heavens this was the shorter race of the weekend
Later in the afternoon, our first race of the weekend was on tap: The ZOOMA Lighthouse Run. Actually we walked up to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse for the start of the race and took our sweet time walking down from there, ending on the beach at Horseshoe Bay. The landscape was gorgeous, winding and lush, alas the wind and rain just would not stop so let’s just say my rain poncho came in very handy. Yes, I learned my lesson in Tokyo and brought one.
Rain and wind aside, we still had a blast celebrating on the beach…
…and the medal did not disappoint…not one single bit.
The race shirt may be my all-time favorite. In the 100+ races I’ve run, I’ve never once gotten a PINK TANK! So much love!
Final words: If there had to be a day with bad weather, I’m glad it happened when we spent the day on the Crystal Cave tour and ran the shorter of the two races. Since Sarah retooled ZOOMA, the races keep getting better and better. I highly encourage you to run one!
Stay tuned for the ZOOMA Bermuda 10k/Half Marathon Race Day Recap! Have you run a ZOOMA race? What’s your all-time fave race shirt?
I’m linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, and the Runners’ Roundup with Mile by Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs, Running on Happy, and Faux Runner .
I can’t believe you managed to catch that 6am flight! Well done for trying and succeeding!
What a shame you’re had nasty weather for the Lighthouse Run – but good to see all those happy smiles on your faces. Love the pink tank!
Your flight went much smoother than ours. I could have done without the overnight in Miami LOL. Next year I’m flying through Boston or JFK, which of course means there will be snow…
That’s amazing that you were able to catch that flight! Whew! Sounds like a fun weekend. Looking forward to reading about the half.
Major ZOOMA FOMO in Iowa, let me runfess 😉 I have yet to do a ZOOMA event, but that needs to change. This weekend looked so fun, even with the wonky weather. The one tank I’ve gotten from a race was cotton, and it wasn’t white…so FOMO with that as well. I’m eager to hear more about the weekend!
I agree. Everything worked to perfection. Well maybe except the weather.
Great to spend time with you too.
Just reading about your airport adventure gave me anxiety so I can’t imagine how stressful it must have been for you! i’m thankful that everything worked out and that you were able to actually get there early, that’ awesome!
Sounds like the weekend started off great and I can’t wait to read about the other races.
Dreck is such an excellent and underused word.
You say pulled an OJ, I think of Home Alone’s Run Run Rudolph moment.
Feb is the month of pink — love my Gridiron long sleeve tee, a beautiful soft pink. Odd for footbal,, but yay pink. My favorite is my beloved frozen penguin tee. My first race.
I have been waiting for your recps! Sprinting through the airport is never fun but bonus points for making it! One of the reasons why I did not do the race was bc of the logistics on getting there in the off season. Can’t wait to read more about race day. Thanks for joining the runners’ roundup
I still can’t believe you made that flight. I would have been packing the morning of, so I would have missed it for sure! It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Looking forward to the next recap!
I have run a ZOOMA race, but it was a long time ago (and not a good memory).
I have definitely had to sprint through airports a time or two — and yes, being a runner definitely helped a lot with that! Nice way to get the drama out ahead of time. 🙂
I ran ZOOMA prior to the restructuring and it was only ok. but I’m hearing such great things now. I may have to try one out again. I am about an hour from the Amelia Island event, but I don’t know if I’ll be ready for an October multirace event, especially with a beach portion.
That Crystal Cave excursion looks amazing! I’ve seen it come up so many times that I’m pushing for a cavern tour on our summer vacation. I’m a little claustrophobic, but I think I’m going to suck it up for the beauty of it.
Amazing that you made your flight! And despite the weather, it sounds like you made a fun day of it – aren’t those caves incredible?!
Also nice to hear that ZOOMA’s gotten a much-needed retooling – might have to give it another go in the future.
Wow! What an awesome trip! I can’t believe you woke up at exactly the time you needed to so you could make your flight! 15 minutes later and you never would have made it. I need to find a ZOOMA race to put on my schedule!
Love the pics and the medal, not so much the airport dash!
Wow, I can’t believe you were able to catch those flights! So glad it worked out for you! Looks like an awesome experience.
Oh wow. I don’t know about that flight situation. I would have thrown a temper tantrum. Haha. But I’m so glad it worked out for you!
I would have loved to have joined you guys in Bermuda. I loved all your pics from the weekend. I hope to join for another one sometime soon!
I’m glad your flights all worked out (and yes, I’m imagining you leaping over gates like OJ did way back when (though I doubt security would allow that anymore!).
I’ve never been to Bermuda but going there to race would be awesome!
Those crystal caves look so cool. I have to admit I didn’t realize it got so cold in Bermuda.
Love the medal and the tank!
I would love that pink tank too!
What an awesome adventure – and love that you ladies met up too!
Oh my goodness! I got stressed out reading about your travel adventure. Glad you made it on time. Looks like you all had a great time in Bermuda. I’ve done one ZOOMA race in Chicago a few years ago. I was also supposed to run the one in WI (2-3 years ago?) but then could not make it.
PINK tank? I am SO jelly! 🙁
That ground you hung with looks fun, but thing compared to “our” group!!
Congrats on the race!
Miss you! xo