#RWHalf Festival Part 1: Runner's World HQ Tour & S'mores

When one gets invited by Runner's World to hang out for a weekend of racing and other fun running-related fun, you clear your schedule and jump on the next plane to Emmaus, Pennsylvania! So that is EXACTLY what I did!

Fine you all are on to me. There wasn't much on that calendar anyway, but let this girl dream. Okay?

The Runner's World Half & Festival took place in Bethlehem, PA October 17-19. I, and 14 other bloggers, invaded Bethlehem on October 16 to get a head start. :)

(Note: Runner's World did sponsor my participation in the RW Half & Festival, but all comments are my own - ain't nobody got time for lyin'!)

I headed out to Pennsylvania on a Noon flight on Thursday, but first enjoyed a pre-flight Harpoon IPA. Cheers to a fun weekend!

Once I arrived in Bethlehem, we headed straight out for a fun night at Runner's World HQ.

That's right. This girl got to go to Runner's World mecca. Pretty sweet.

On the ride from our hotel to RW HQ, we were able to get to know each other. I knew a handful of the bloggers, but was excited to meet the rest of the crew.

Here is a list of who was in attendance:

After enjoying a delicious dinner straight out of Runner's World Cookbook, it was time to have a personal tour of HQ led by the amazing Mayor of Running Bart Yasso and Editor-In-Chief David Willey.

The first stop on the tour was the Kiva. A Kiva is a room used by Puebloans for religious rituals. The writers and editors go in to think, brainstorm and find possible clarity. I tried to bottle up all the positive energy I could from the room. I will be selling it on eBay later. ;)

We continued upstairs to see the actual offices.

As soon as you made your way through the first set of cubicles, you enter an area covered in pictures of Runner's World covers from around the world. In the middle you will find a large table, a standing desk with treadmill and a stationary bike.

A spot where employees can do their work and work out at the same time.

Just around the corner we saw THE wall. The place where the next issue of Runner's World was being drawn up.

Along the top you could see every Runner's World cover since January 2010. David Willey and Bart Yasso shared their stories of their favorite covers. It was fascinating to hear, which they loved more. I wish I had taken down better notes during that time, but I was secretly trying to write Dani and Weight Off My Shoulders on the blank pages of the storyboard for the next Runner's World.

Yeah it didn't work. Darnit!

Then it was time to enter the magical place known as Bart Yasso's office. I cannot put into words the inspiration that room exudes to the people that walk into it. I really did try to harness as much as I could before having to vacate so someone else could get in.

The party continued down the hall to David's office.

David has been the Editor-In-Chief for 11 years and go toe-to-toe with Bart when storytelling. Seriously, I could've listen to those two swapping running stories all night long. I have a lot of reading from Dr. George Sheehan to do based on recommendations from David.

Photo of Dr. George Sheehan hanging in David's office

After a quick visit to the bike room, where the Bicycling Magazine test bikes hang and commuters leave their bikes, it was S'mores time.

Woo! S'mores. I can't remember the last time I had a good S'more. It was great to finish the tour with sugar. :P

Anyone notice Mark Remy totally photobombing my pic? I knew he wanted to get mentioned here on my blog.

After bidding the RW Editors adieu, we loaded on the bus to head back to the Comfort Suites. There was a killer DJ turnin' beats at their bar and we couldn't miss our opportunity to hear some sick tunes!

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Next up? #RWHalf Festival Part 2: Amazing Shakeout Run, Altra Running Fun & Expo!