I am 16 days post-marathon (race recap here) and other than a bruised right toenail whose healing status is questionable, I’m in good shape! I feel fully recovered and ready to start ramping up the intensity of strength training sessions and rebuilding running mileage. Before we get too far away from marathon weekend, I wanted to recap my time in Savannah – because it’s a very special city and I had a great weekend visiting!
One of the biggest perks of the Every Woman’s Marathon is its location in beautiful and historic Savannah, Georgia. I got to spend three days exploring (and running through!) this charming Southern city. Let’s dive in!
TRAVEL TO SAVANNAH
Savannah is a four-hour drive from Charlotte but I opted to fly for a few reasons. First, American flies direct so it was a quick up and down flight. Second, I didn’t want to deal with having a car in downtown Savannah and knew that I wouldn’t be venturing outside of the historic district which is extremely walkable. Third, zero part of me wanted to sit in the car for four hours after the marathon to drive home – especially given how volatile traffic can be on I-95.
I Ubered to Charlotte-Douglas on Thursday afternoon armed with a checked bag (for a three day trip – I wanted to have everything I could possibly need with me) and tons of snacks for the carb load. The flight to Savannah was super easy and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is so cute! It was voted #1 airport in the U.S. in the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards and I can see why.
Savannah and the Every Woman’s Marathon did an amazing job welcoming runners to the city. There were signs and flags up all over the airport and the downtown! I claimed my bag and hopped into a shuttle to my hotel.
THE THOMPSON SAVANNAH
My travel to Savannah was covered as part of my partnership with the Every Woman’s Marathon, Team Milk and PET Dairy. The Thompson seemed to be the “official hotel” of the race organizers/sponsors and I absolutely loved my stay here. It’s a relatively new Hyatt property and I would 100% recommend staying at The Thompson if you take a weekend trip to Savannah. The hotel is warm and inviting and there are plenty of options for dining, relaxing and hanging out. There are two restaurants on-site as well as a coffee shop/bakery. The ground floor/lobby level restaurant, Fleeting, is getting amazing reviews (I didn’t get a chance to dine there). There’s also a rooftop restaurant that offers incredible views of the river and downtown.
The guest rooms are well-appointed and have everything you need – a comfy bed, quality furnishings, a modern bathroom (with to die for shower water pressure), Nespresso coffee machine, a desk/work area, a couch/lounge area, big windows with lots of natural light, plenty of storage for clothes and more.
THURSDAY NIGHT OUT
I took myself out on a dinner date on Thursday evening to Cotton + Rye. I poured through “where to eat in Savannah” Reddits and Cotton + Rye was at the top of many lists. I had a reservation for a table but opted to sit at the bar when I got there. I ordered a mocktail with ginger, carrot, soda and lemon that was light and refreshing. I started with a salad with mixed lettuces, grapes, blue cheese, cornbread croutons, pickled red onion and bacon-sorghum dressing. For my main, I went with the blacked catfish on pimento cheese grits at the recommendation of the bartender. I think the last time I ate catfish was 20+ years ago when I was living in Georgia and it might be 20+ years before I eat it again haha. I am generally a huge fish fan but catfish just doesn’t do it for me.
I Ubered to the restaurant because it was about two miles from my hotel and I was on a time crunch but decided to take an after dinner stroll through downtown to go back. Of course I found myself at an ice cream shop on well-known Broughton Street. 🙂
Leopold’s dates all the way back to 1919 and is still family owned. It’s a well-known Savannah landmark for a cold, creamy treat. Expect a line out the door but it moves quickly! I had a double scoop of butter pecan and strawberry in a waffle cone.
FRIDAY MORNING
I slept in on Friday morning because I knew I wouldn’t get the best night of sleep the next night before the marathon. While many other runners were doing their shake out runs, I relaxed in bed with my laptop and coffee and got some work done. I totally get that many runners like a shake out run – I just personally never feel the need to run the day before a distance race (especially 26.2!).
FRIDAY LUNCH + SHOPPING
I made my way out of my room around noon and walked along the riverfront and down famous River Street before cutting up in to the historic district. I found myself at Dottie’s for lunch and it ended up being my favorite meal/restaurant of the trip. Breakfast and lunch at Dottie’s is a casual affair with counter service. Dinner is a sit-down experience and reservations are recommended.
I had a grain bowl with quinoa, hen of the woods mushroom, cabbage, turnips, cauliflower, kale and crispy roasted sweet potatoes. It was like a warm hug and I want to recreate this at home.
lululemon was close by and I couldn’t resist popping in to grab a fresh white Energy Longline for the race.
EXPLORING HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH
After lunch I just wandered all over the historic district taking in the architecture, stunning squares and beautiful trees draped with Spanish moss.
Savannah was first established in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe and was the first colonial and state capital of the state of Georgia. General Oglethorpe and 120 fellow passengers on the ship Anne landed on a bluff along the Savannah River. The city of Savannah was laid out in a series of grids allowing for wide streets and public squares. It is considered America’s first planned city. Savannah had 24 original squares and 22 are still in existence today.
Savannah is the second busiest port city on the east coast and the third busiest in the country.
There are so many different guided offerings for exploring Savannah ranging from Trolley Tours to Ghost Tours to Culinary and Walking Tours and more.
EVERY WOMAN’S MARATHON RACE EXPO
The last stop of my afternoon outing was the race expo! Arriving around 4p was a good call because many of the crowds had cleared out. I grabbed my number and explored the milk lounge. My favorite touch was a huge wall where every single participant was listed and color-coded by what number marathon it was for them. You found your name and then removed it because it was a wearable name tag!
PRE-RACE DINNER
I was so grateful that there was a buffet dinner for us in the hotel ballroom. It made pre-race dinner early and easy. I had a plateful of pasta, salad and bread and some soup on the side. The highlight of dinner was hearing some race day encouragement from Des Linden, Katherine Switzer, Allison Mariella Desir and Danielle Mclaughlin.
I was back in my room and in bed with a cupcake by 7:30p. I spent some time putting together a marathon playlist on Spotify before heading to bed.
POST-RACE SHOPPING + DINNER
I’ll spare you more details on the Every Woman’s Marathon because I think I covered it allllllll (and then some) in this post.
After a much needed post-race shower and some time with my legs stretched out in bed, I got myself dressed and walked back to the historic district. I wanted to buy a print that I’d seen at the SCAD store the day before. I thought it would be a perfect souvenir from the trip and something to remind me of what a great experience I had with the race.
I was ready for an early dinner and found a seat at the bar at The Public Kitchen + Bar. I ordered a salad and a burger and had a great time chatting with the women sitting around me – we had all run or spectated the race. I got gelato at Doki Doki after dinner and then hobbled my way back to my hotel. Hobbling is the only thing you can call it – the body was very sore! I wrapped up the day at 54,000 steps. Definitely a record for me!
I spent the rest of the night in bed watching the UGA/Tennessee game. My legs were in agony – I could have really used a bathtub for an ice bath or Epsom salts (or both) but I persevered. I slept horribly that night – you’d think you’d sleep so well after running a marathon but your body is so jacked up from all the adrenaline and cortisol that quality sleep is hard to come by.
SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST + FAREWELL
I had breakfast at the hotel Sunday morning. I could not bring myself to walk back into downtown so an elevator ride to the rooftop restaurant sounded much more reasonable lol. It was quiet, peaceful and an absolutely gorgeous morning. I had a frittata and chatted with another couple who had traveled from California for the race.
And then it was time to bid Savannah farewell and head home to Charlotte. It was a trip I’ll never forget!
QUESTIONS
Have you ever traveled to Savannah? Favorite things to do/eat/etc?
What’s your favorite southern city?
Are you on team shake out run or team rest the day before a marathon?
