Seaside Update 2016

Nine Southern Sole Sisters made the trip for the Seaside Half Marathon & 5k. This was the eighth year for Clairee and Hazel, holders of the longest Seaside streak. We had two Seaside virgins: Ruth & Clarice. This blog post author has been deemed the trip chronicler. The main purpose of the annual post is to be our resource guide in planning the next year. Nothing is ever written in stone but it was often heard, over our glorious weekend, “We have to remember that for next year”. As a matter of fact, this most recent year, I was handed scraps of papers with notes to include in this post. Thus, this post is intended to represent the combined wisdom as told to me by you, my southern sole sisters. Furthermore, this post will be edited and reedited until it reflects all of your thoughts. You can post them as comments or email me and I will weave them in.

The weekend is centered on the actual running events, a half marathon and 5k, although so much more than running is enjoyed by our group.  We always hope to add more of our best running friends to our adventure so a brief running event overview.  The run is held on a Sunday (last February or first March) and is an out/back on 30A. It has been known to sell out, especially the 5k. They have expanded the capacity for the half marathon so it has not sold out in the most recent two years. Typically the run date/registration open is early Fall. The run itself is pleasant, not really hilly compared to Georgia, and features fab swag (tech t-shirt, medal and the coveted Vera Bradley bag-choosing between two designs).The after festival is glorious with great food & beverages, music and if the weather is good, an amazing recovery place-to-be. WE WILL NOT FORGET SUNSCREEN AND HATS THIS TIME, RIGHT Ladies? We had a bit of sunburn from perfect recovery weather this past year. Wrap around this great run experience with a road trip, fun eating & beverage experience, the beach, bicycles, warmer weather, shopping, more beverages, delicious restaurants/bars and a really nice house (or what could be houses as our group expands) within walking or biking distance of EVERYTHING..and did I say, lots of beverages?!

THINGS NOT TO FORGET TO PACK & WHAT DID WE WEAR RACE DAY this year, I started keeping a tally on the topics that we discussed over and over again to our own exhaustion in preparation for the trip. Weather and clothes were, BY FAR, our top two incessantly covered topics. Zelda and I found ourselves tickled as she had asked me the same question several times and I kept answering it, until she found herself answering her own question.  The answer was “Hot Chocolate Sweatshirt!”. 

• Start with the single most important item as told to us by Hazel…SUNGLASSES– The back part of the out/back is brutal sun in the eyes whether you are running the 5k or the Half. Plus you will need them for the after party.
• Pearl says, “As for packing, I will always bring a HAT for the run. I’ll weigh in here, that this would have been awesome to have at the after party as we were unaware that the sun was powerful enough to turn us a bit red.
• Pearl also liked having a light wind breaker.  She bought one of those light scarves and loved having it the rest of the trip to burrow down when the breeze blew off the ocean.  This time of year can still be cool.  
• Beans, Chews or Gu. Yes, they will have some on the course but it may not be what you like or when you want it.
• Bathing Suit could be considered..some do, some don’t.
•  Yoga clothes – we are two-for-two (years in a row) in attending a yoga class Monday with the more seasoned Seaside residents who we want to grow up to be..
• Pre-run foods like oatmeal as well as any snacks, bars and special beverages you want for the weekend.
• Cause we always ask ourselves, "what did I wear when I ran this last year?"..most of us have worn over the past couple of years, tank tops, capris, some with long sleeve or shrug over and for Hazel, gloves this year. Add your race number, cap, sunglasses & put money/credit card* on you for important post race purchases.
• Race Day, we pack a bag, without valuables, that contains towel for post-race lounging in the grass and some warm overclothes. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Leave bag in post race area...

OVER DISCUSSED TOPICS LIST

I tried to come up with a Top Ten, like David Letterman, but could not get to 10. Maybe you can help. Here, in one spot gathered, were the topics we could not seem to stop discussing related to this trip. As tired as I was talking about them, I could not help myself from, sometime,s being the one to bring them up.

1.       Weather – how many apps can be checked several times a day/every day the week before our trip.

2.       Clothes – what are we wearing for the run? What are you bringing to wear post run? What other clothes are you bringing? Heels? Boots? Sweaters? Bathing Suits? Arghhhh

3.       Pre-Run Eating – Don’t eat, do eat. Oatmeal, Coffee, Banana, Nunn. This, of course, leads right into #4

4.       Bathroom Habits – Arggh can we empty our bowels and bladders in the proper timing pre-run? TMI, guilty as charged.#4 can be impacted drastically by #5

5.       Drinking Alcohol Night Before Run – Do you? Should you? Will you? Then, what will you drink and how much? And what will be the result on your gastrointestinal system. See #4.

6.       Bringing to/Bag Checking the Run-painful even to revisit. We must have discussed this one a million times. What are you carrying on your person? What are you bag checking? What are the 5kers bringing for the HMers?

7.       Transport Method to the Run – Should we walk? Should take the shuttle? Can we bike there?

GETTING THERE

Travelling to Seaside by CAR has been the preferred mode of transportation. Typically, different pods of SSS set off from the Atlanta area 5:30am on Saturday to arrive in Seaside around 11:00am.  (Seaside is an hour behind Atlanta). With limited road traffic, one or two stops along the way (Blue Moon café-a fav), it was common to here that it felt fast and the timing was perfect. Not only did it land us before the brunch rush crowd at Great Southern, it allowed our group to choose between brunch and lunch menus at one of our favorite restaurants. This also placed us with full bellies ready to attend packet pick up which began next door at 12pm.

You can also get there by PLANE. Pearl has done this multiple years in a row and tried different airports. Here are her thoughts:

I have decided that I prefer flying into Panama City (ECP) airport.  It's only 30 min away from Seaside.  Ft. Walton (VPS) is about an hour away from Seaside by going through Destin.  The positive for this airport may be food or shopping options in Destin area.   

LODGING ARRANGEMENTS

Houses for rent must be rented for three night say minimum and typically for desired area and size, houses have been renting for around $3,000. The last two years, we have rented a house that can accommodate over 10 people from 360 Blue Properties and have had wonderful experiences. This year’s address was:

848 Western Lake (stayed 2015)

Pros for this house was definitely the proximity to the starting line (Left only 10 minutes before race time, to not use porta potties…PRICELESS). Comfortable, very nice accommodations.

Cons were bathroom arrangements. One bedroom with four bunkbeds did not have access to bathroom unless travelling through other bedrooms or going downstairs.

104 Buttercup (stayed 2014)

Pros-best common area ever, with long dining table that could easily accommodate our large group.  Better bathroom access

Cons-sort of. Some sleeping arrangements were in separate guest house.

236 Spartina Circle (stayed 2016)

Pros-near Publix, 5 full bathrooms, nice long dining table, lots of places to park (garage), nice furnishings, honeymoon suite, five double (either king or queen) beds, plus double bunk room and pull out couch.

Cons-farther away from start. Subzero fridge was interesting. Upstairs living area with sleep below/noise level.

If you have previous years places to make note of.. Or if you know of one, that should be considered for the future years… send them my way and I will insert them into this blog.

ADVANCED RESERVATIONS CONSIDERATION

Besides Lodgings and Race Registration, there are a few reservations that can  be made before arrival. This year, these included:

• Monday Yoga Class
• Extra Bikes (our house came with 6, so we reserved 3 additional)
• Monday Night Dinner Reservations

EATING, EATING AND PLANNING TO EAT

A few random thoughts to take or ditch. Arrival Brunch at Great Southern has become a fun tradition. Three years in a row, this has been a first stop. They have brunch and lunch, which our group, split down the middle on who ordered what…and amazing Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s to start our trip off right.

Past few years, we have dined in the night before the run and found this was nice because we could accommodate different food needs and we can control the ingredients that might come back to haunt us (see most discussed topic #4 & 5). Summarized Eat In Dinner and Recipes later in blog.

Post Run, we have taken in Pizza-By-The-Sea and eaten at the house. This allows post run veg social time. Those are IN for the night, can just hang in PJs. Those who are more adventurous are well fueled for whatever their journey name take them.

In 2016, I’ll also note we particularly enjoyed Monday Happy Hour at WINE WORLD, post yoga. Happy Hours begins at 11:30am.

PRE RUN EAT IN MENU included Seaside Chicken, Roasted Carrots, French Bread, Salad, Orzo Salad and Energy Balls. (Recipes at end)

COMMUNITY BRINGING ASSIGNMENTS AND SHOPPING

In our planning for the trip, we have recycled the list of what we are bringing (folks just sign up) for those important house community needs like Toilet Paper and then we have a Grocery Store trip when we get there. These lists modify a bit from year to year but again in the not to work too hard in planning, here are lists from this year. NOTE FROM 2016, Again we ended up with an overabundance of stuff that resulted in some waste. Repeating nothing set in stone, we can bring less/buy more or vice versa but overall quantity could be considered. Maybe we will improve on this with age?!

GROCERY LIST FOR SEASIDE

Bananas - one bunch about 8

Oranges - big navel -6

Lemon-2

Coffee fixins - half and half

Skim milk - half gallon
Chicken Thighs- boneless skinless 4 + lbs

Onions- 2 sweet onions

Beer- (unless someone brings it)

Orzo-box

Sundried Tomato- jar

Feta- 4 oz container crumbled feta

Basil-

Romaine lettuce heart (comes in bag/ box of 3)-1

arugula (box of)

spinach (bag of)

shaved parmasean in plastic container (thick shaving) not powdered-Over with the cheeses. 

French baguettes of some other kind of bread with dinner

Carrots whole - 2 on bag in produce

Red wine vinegar

Ears of Corn

Pinenut

Decaf Coffee

Kale Salad mix

Angel Hair Pasta

Garlic

Red Pepper Flakes

Zing Zang

Hummus

Carrot Chips

Bottled Water

Chocolate chips

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

Toasted Coconut

Peanut Butter

Honey

Flax Seed

BROUGHT BY US (divide/volunteer/assign)

Seasonings- Hazel

 Salt/Pepper- Hazel

Olive Oil- Hazel

Aluminum pans-

Aluminum Foil-

Stevia-

Coffee-

hand washing soaps
Clorox Wipes-

Toilet Paper-

Paper Towels

Napkins
Dishwasher tab
trash bags

Laundry detergent/dryer sheets
Selfie Stick

Hangers

Gum

RECIPES

ORZO SALAD from FRANCES -I don’t have a recipe BUT everyone knows I don’t cook so it’s one of those that anyone can do. 

Ingredients:

Orzo – Think I only did 1 lb

Sundried tomatoes pack in oil (the ones you find in a glass jar near canned tomatoes)

Fresh basil

1 package of Feta or equivalent fresh parmesan (believe we did feta and I like it a little better than parm)

Olive oil

Cook the orzo.

Take about ¾ jar of the sundried tomatoes and put into a blender or food processor (all the rentals should have a blender)

Add all the basil that comes in the package (removing stems and breaking apart the big leaves)

Add a little more olive oil (maybe 2 Tbls)

Blend until the texture is not smooth and runny but the tomatoes and basil are really chopped.    You’ll need to run the blender, mix with a spoon, repeat etc..

It won’t look like a lot but it goes a long way.  Mix with the orzo and add the feta. 

Oh – and I like the salad better the next day after it’s been chilled.  Great for leftovers!!!

SEASIDE CHICKEN from HAZEL

11/2-2lbs. Boneless skinless chicken thighs (amt depends on how many you are feeding) I sometimes add skinless chicken legs for the kids.

1-onion

Olive oil

Season All

Paprika

Vegetable broth (enough to cover chicken

Pyrex dish (size again depends on how many you feed)

Preheat oven to 375

Put chicken in Pyrex and lightly season both sides with SeasonAll. Arrange chicken in Pyrex and drizzle with olive oil. Slice onion into rings and arrange on top of chicken. Pour vegetable broth over chicken - enough to cover chicken. 

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Cover and bake an additional 45 minutes.

MARGARITAS from BLANCHE (makes 4)

1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/2 cup Cointreau or Patron Citronge

1/2 water

3/4 cup silver tequila

1/2 of an orange (squeezed)

ENERGY BALLS prepared by Petunia

Yield: About 3 dozen

No Bake Energy Bites

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 0 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

·         1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)

·         2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes

·         1/2 cup peanut butter

·         1/2 cup ground flax seed

·         1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or vegan chocolate chips)

·         1/3 cup honey or agave nectar

·         1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1.       Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.*

2.       Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1" in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

3.       Makes about 20-25 balls.

*Prep time listed does not include time for the mixture to chill.  To speed up the chilling, I recommend spreading the mixture out on a baking sheet, then covering it with plastic wrap and refrigerating.

If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #gimmesomeoven. I'd love to see what you cook!

Feel free to check out these other no-bake energy bites recipes too!

·Sweet and Salty Energy Bites

·Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

·Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites

·Nutella Energy Bites

·Almond Joy Energy Bites

·Cashew Dark Chocolate Energy Bites

·Trail Mix Energy Bites

This delicious recipe brought to you by Gimme Some Oven
http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/

I am sure I missed capturing a planning detail or three. Send me what I missed and I'll edit and insert in the blog post. Anxiously awaiting Seaside 2017.

Sadie