This post was originally posted on the Brooks Running Blog here.

Who said running is all work and no play? Yes, training for a marathon or half marathon involves long runs, early mornings, weekend sacrifices and challenging workouts. But it can also be a great reason to explore a new city and plan a fabulous vacation. Or, as I like to call it: a racecation.

A racecation is a trip or vacation in which the destination is chosen based on running a race. After training for months, what better way to celebrate your personal victory and mark your accomplishment?

When I ran my first destination marathon in 2010, my husband and parents joined me for the big weekend. Although we thought we were in for a great racecation, we soon discovered we failed miserably. We did a lot of sight-seeing the day before the marathon, leaving my legs dead for the race. We also booked our flights home literally hours after the marathon, causing us to rush like wild animals to the airport and resulting in a painfully sore plane ride. That marathon taught me many things. But most of all, I learned that racing is also my chance to take full advantage of opportunities and experiences in life with people I love in exciting places.

If you’re considering turning your next marathon or half marathon into a racecation, follow my 6 tips to make it a trip to remember.

See my tips and the rest of this post over on the Brooks Blog here.

What tips would you add for the perfect racecation? What lessons have you learned from races gone wrong that prepared you for future races?