The Kimpton Shorebrake Huntington Beach: What To Wear + Do + Our Half-Marathon Journey
Thank you to the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort for sponsoring this post. + A big thanks to Old Navy and ATHLETA for sending me amazing clothing to wear for my race and on this trip!
Beloved friends — if you’re looking for a place to surf, relax, enjoy beachy vibes, or be samsies with us and book a race in Huntington Beach (like the Surf City Marathon or Half Marathon), this property is something to consider for your stay! They are the best dog-friendly luxury resort in Southern California. Nestled across the street from the beach, you can book a room with a spectacular view and enjoy amenities like a record player in your room and S’mores ingredients for gathering in their gorgeous outdoor seating area.
February 1st we enjoyed the beauty of the resort and the joy of running 13.1 miles on Sunday for our half-marathon! I am so thankful to God who sustains us in the best of times and in the weakest of times.
Running this race made me consider the joy that God receives when his children draw near to him and ask for help. I know that for me, it takes so much effort to ask for help. I want to do things on my own, you know? Be self-sufficient! But I have noticed that when I cry out to God in the darkest moments and in the moments when I need help, he hears me and he enables me to do more than I could have imagined. I pray that this post reminds you of the miraculous nature of your God. He loves you, and you were made to do hard things, but not alone. You are not alone! You have the God of all creation rooting for you. No matter what you have done, God loves you like a proud dad. No matter what you’ve done, his son Jesus died so that you can feel the covering of a faithful father ALWAYS.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you FREE in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8 1-2
Back to the Shorebreak: This resort was an amazing place to stay in Huntington Beach that allowed us to be at the CENTER of the whole race—getting to our packets a couple of days before the race was a fun walk to and from the pick-up spot. The race starts very close to the shorebrake and ends close to it as well, which is IMPORTANT ot me as the runner who doesn’t want to trek too much after the race is over.
The resort has an AMAZING restaurant!! The Pacific Hideaway is the restaurant inside the Shorebreak Resort, offering a blend of Latin and Asian cuisine. I had breakfast with eggs, bacon, and potatoes — they were so delicious; I truly wish I could have that meal right this second! I also loved the view from the restaurant — it was beautiful!
You can have your selfie moment for your #ootd in their amazing lobby. It’s such a gorgeous property that no matter where you sonter, you find some cute things! I loved wearing these super soft and comfy black joggers, black tee and sweater from Old navy and my converse for a sweet and relaxed getting matcha outfit.
SHOP THE OUFTIT
In the mornings, I would walk VERY FAR, about 2 minutes to the cutest little matcha shop, 1 Oz Coffee, that had the BEST MATCHA in Huntington Beach! It was a great place to read my Bible and start the day with God’s direction and love, and mercy. I don’t get very far if I don’t put God first! LOL They also have great food. I had the bagel, and it was delightful.
We took the liberty of walking a TON before the race to get our legs nice and ready. Dodger, Doug and I headed down to pick up our packets and the FUN and ADVENTURE of that alone is fun enough to sign up to do a race! It’s so cool how many vendors just give you FREE things so you can try their products and you get a little goodie bag with your registration items. You get a shirt and your bib; you can get safety pins to put on your bib and shirt. Then you are all set to run!!
We even got the opportunity to take a photo in this amazing FAUX-WAVE!
Then we walked over to the delightful open mall area! Listen, friend, bring you a bath bomb because the bathtub is bath-tubbing. I loved getting into the bath after my race with my cutie little bath bombs, my boo got me!
Such a sweet little way to enjoy some relaxation and take care of the body after a long run and race.
IF they say carbload, we are gonna carbload (responsibly) hahaha! We all took a trip to a cute little pizza place called Zerozero Pizzeria, and just FYI, the Starbucks Right next to it, has surfboards on the wall. Enough said! These two spots are a must-see.
Pepperoni please!
Also; What a cool sign of the Lord to TRUST in HIM and not in ourselves as we were about to do something challenging the next day. I love our God guys. He is such a thoughtful and kind father!
Huntington Beach is just a short trip from Balboa Island, home to the Balboa Fun Zone. There, you’ll find charming rides like the iconic Ferris wheel, arcade, and cute shops. Alongside some amazing local food shops. It’s the perfect day trip if you're looking to step away from the hotel and explore the local scenery!
You can wear a cute little tee from Old Navy and light-wash jeans with white Converse for a cute outfit in Huntington Beach. The converse have been what I have walked MILES in every place I’ve been, including Paris, New York, and now Southern California. They are a true travel statement for me. No blisters and the whole look is adorable with them, even if I was wearing a cute dress, they are still adorable on!
SHOP OUTFIT
ATHLETA and OLD NAVY sent my run day clothing, and I had to take them for a spin at the gym to see how I felt in them. I LOVED every second of wearing the Salutation leggings. So soft, supportive AND they have pockets for my phone. I ran the whole half-marathon with these leggings and my phone inside the little pocket. Granted, if I hadn’t had to be constantly shooting video for my segment, I would not have run with my phone there I did have a belt I could have put it in, however, you do what you need to do!
I also love this gray pullover from Old Navy, it's SOO SOFT and not too hot! And comes in so many cute colors, you can find the best for you!
SHOP MY WORKOUT OUTFIT
Can we just admire the glory of the Kimpton Shorebrake’s gym? Listen. If you want the best gym experience this is it! I was like a kid at a candy store. What should I do?
I don’t know. Let’s get some kettle bells, or a jump rope, or a therapy session with these ball slams!! Bwwahahaha! I loved every second of being in this gym. I felt so good to get a little workout in before race day. I just did a nice upper body day, so my legs would stay fresh!
This was our selfie right before the race.
This is why we train for things. The day is A SWEET CELEBRATION of all the time, effort, (sometimes tears) we’ve poured into the journey. You show up on race day praying and hoping that you did enough to have your body, mind, and spirit ready for this challenge.
All you can do now is trust your training and trust in the Lord with all your heart to take what you have to offer and make a beautiful story of the hard times and the good times in your training journey.
Because it’s filled with BOTH. Really good days and really bad days. Just like life the journey is never predictable but we can trust that it’s producing something strong in us. I pray that as you consider doign a race or just sticking with the race of your life, that you consider this.
A chapter of your life is just that. Make sure you remember that you have a WHOLE STORY being written by the God of the Universe. And if you invite him into your story, it will turn out BETTER THAN YOU COULD HAVE IMAGINED. I love you so much. I pray that you had a fun time reading this post and that it inspires you to run the race set before you. Especially if your race has really yummy food at the end of it, as we had for after our race!
Bondi Bowls was our blessed AFTER RACE MEAL. The BEST aç·a·i bowl I’ve ever had. The cutest little shop you have to come see it and hear the story of the owner. She is such an inspiration. Her sweet story is written on the wall of how she opened up this shop with God’s help, and I sat there reading her story in tears. I loved what she had to say, and I loved what I got to eat after putting my body through so much! LOL
YUM. YUM. YUM..
They also have the best art work and an adorable photo booth !
You can take some cutie little photos !
This was ALSO our post-race meal because we needed two meals in one!
LISTEN. Nobody loves a pastor taco more than this girl, so we ordered that, and ALSO when Taqueria PRIMECUT offers you a pastor Mulita, you obviously say YES!! They have hands down some of the best mulitas and tacos, you need to try them, friend!!
We had a blast and feel so grateful to share every part of this experience with you. Doug ran the marathon at an average pace of 7:19 and I had a Personal Record with my average time 11:10!! What a glory to God moment. He is such a faithful father. If I can run this, ANYONE CAN!!
