“Disclaimer: I received a free entry for myself and a friend, as well as a $200 travel voucher for my promotion of the Zooma Race Series as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!”
Friday, September 13th, my friend and co-worker, Brittany and I headed from Illinois to Wisconsin for the Zooma Women’s Race Series: Great Lakes. We both signed up for the 10K. We left around 7am and the drive was around 6-ish hours. We stopped along the way at a Kroger to get some last minute essentials, road trip snacks and of course some coffee.
Continued our drive chatting away and just talking about life. I also stated my anxiousness as I had been having some leg discomfort and didn’t know how things would go. I knew I wouldn’t be racing and I just wanted to enjoy the run!
We stopped at Fazoli’s for lunch and then made our way on the last bit of the trip. I was thankful to have a road trip buddy that didn’t mind stopping a lot to use the restroom and stretch our legs. Zimmerman is also great about this!
Plus, you get opportunities to take photos!
We drove past Lake Delavan and made our way to Lawn Lake Resort, where the race was being held. HOW BEAUTIFUL! The resort was so accommodating and every building connected with a walkway that was indoor. This helped because it was a bit more cold than we imagined.
The expo was small but had so many cute items from my favorite bags VOORAY, to Zooma Gear and much more.
Our room was bigger than I imagined. It had a fireplace, a big tv, a beautiful bathroom, 2 queen beds and our favorite part, a walkout patio with rocking chairs that faced the lake.
What I loved was how the race communicated with the runners. The detailed runner’s guide told us ahead of time that the 10k route would be different than the 5k and half marathon. The 10k was going to be the first 6.2 of the half marathon and then we would be shuttled back to the lodge.
This didn’t bother me until we actually finished. We didn’t have any spectators or family/friends, so that wasn’t an issue for us. I didn’t mind the separate finish, I just had wished there was another photographer at our finish to take our photos.
We were able to ask some other finishers to take our photo at our finish line and then when we got shuttled back, we asked the photographer to take our photo at the finish line by the water. Super nice for doing this for us!
The course was much more hilly than we had expected, but what was nice is that we drove around the town the night before because we wanted to look at all the huge houses!
We got back to the resort and unfortunately our results weren’t there yet as our finish didn’t have cell service and therefore the results wouldn’t be back until everyone finished the 10k and they came back to upload them.
Brittany took 1st overall and I took 2nd overall for the 10k. Since we were told about the wait, we decided to eat, recover and go back to the room to shower, change and pack.
We loaded the car and made our way back to the results table to be told the results were on their way. After 2 hours post race, we were able to get our awards, results and make our trek to the cheese store before heading home on our 6ish hour drive.
I loved the Momentum Jewelry awards they had and I also made sure I got my Starbucks You Are Here Mug!
Plus, how cute are the Zooma medals?!
I would 100% do another ZOOMA Women’s race and have enjoyed promoting their series. I love women supporting women and the community they have built. You should do a ZOOMA race!
Texas Wine Country is this weekend and it’s not too late to register! Use code ZOOMABR15 for 15% off as well!
Q: Have you done a Zooma Women’s Race before?
Q: What’s your next race?!
