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Jacqueline Todak Roden

@jackattacktodak

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adventuress (n): a woman who
enjoys or seeks adventure
🌎 80 nations
🇺🇸 37 states
🏔️ 9 14k+ peaks
🏂 35 ski resorts
🔜 Denver 🏔️ Chicago 🏃‍♀️Quebec 🇨🇦

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Even though Guanajuato stole a little piece of my heart, I still get the hype about San Miguel de Allende. Cobblestone streets and parks everywhere, the iconic pink church, rooftop sunsets, flowers and artwork around every corner, and the resident peacocks on the grounds of our beautiful hotel were all a hit. This destination was the impetus behind visiting this part of the country, and it was so worth the detour 🦚

#SanMiguelDeAllende #SMDA #VisitMexico #MexicoTravel #TravelGram⁠ taken in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México by @jackattacktodak

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a month ago

At long last, the final Africa post: Cape Town 🇿🇦

Half of the group headed back to England, but we headed southeast with his sister instead.

Having apparently gotten used to being shuttled around, we packed in an all-day tour with Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, a protected African penguin colony, the colorful Muizenberg Beach, and a hike along the Cape of Good Hope, all broken up by a lovely lunch (minus a bird taking a deuce on my head 😩) overlooking the coast.

We stayed in the V&A Waterfront area which was perfect for our first visit—I had a couple of good runs along the harbor, we had a great tapas dinner on the with @georgiaroden for our last night, and Josh and I split up for our last afternoon, so I could do some shopping and explore the Zeitz MOCAA modern art museum while he checked out the aquarium. It was a great ending to a trip we will never, ever forget ♥

#CapeTown #SouthAfrica taken in Cape Town, South Africa by @jackattacktodak

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a month ago

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a month ago

Okay, back to Africa, so I can get these posts done! Our final stop as a family was Botswana 🇧🇼

Josh’s request for this trip was that we visit the Okavango, the world’s largest inland delta. We stayed at Atzaro, a fly-in, luxury bush camp with the most incredible suites—floor-to-ceiling windows facing a wetland, a huge deck, plunge pool, and an outdoor shower and bath. We knew we were in for a treat when two elephants greeted us right at our deck upon arrival!

We spent 8 + hours a day on safari with our super knowledgeable guide, Rich. The highlights included the helicopter flight in/out, some VERY deep water crossings and wild off-roading (something you can’t do when you explore a national park), swooning over the most adorable lion cubs, seeing wild dogs (one of the most endangered animals in Africa), feeling the rumble of male lions roaring ~20 years away, getting charged by a Cape buffalo, and spending our last “sundowner” drinking champagne at sunset while a huge herd of elephants walked right past us. It’s not at all easy to get to, but the Okavango is truly a magical place!

I am beyond grateful to the Roden family for letting me join this trip of a lifetime and for the many great memories we made together along the way 💕

#Botswana #OkavangoDelta #Safari #Africa #Wildlife taken in Okavango Delta, Botswana by @jackattacktodak

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2 months ago

Guanajuato was supposed to just be a pit stop, but I kinda think I liked it more than SMdA! It has a much local, authentic feel and a bit of a college town vibe. Spent a few days wandering through the colorful city streets in perfect weather, practicing my Spanish, downing guava pastries, and enjoying the rooftop of our adorable Airbnb. Would 100% go back!

#Guanajuato #GTO #Mexico #DiscoverMexico #TravelMexico taken in Guanajuato City by @jackattacktodak

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2 months ago

✨ 38 and so much to celebrate ✨

Thank you to everyone who reached out to wish me well yesterday! I have had a fabulous week in central Mexico—surrounded by wonderful people, eating very well, running, reading, and working remotely in a career I enjoy {most of the time}. These are all things I get to do year-round, but another lap around the sun is a great excuse to reflect on how grateful I am for this life I have created. Cheers to another one!

#Birthday #GirlsTrip #MexicoCity #MexicoDF #ParqueQuetzalcóatl taken in Parque Quetzalcóatl by @jackattacktodak

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3 months ago

Next stop: Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

We spent a few days glamping on the Zambezi River which was the perfect break between safaris. We traded an open air Range Rover for a pontoon boat, spending most of this leg cruising the river. There was still no shortage of wildlife in this area, with endless beautiful birds and plenty of baboons, monkeys, warthogs, hippos, crocs, and even elephants.

After being in awe at the distance from which we could see the massive plume of mist, we also visited Victoria Falls, which was near peak flows after a particularly wet rainy season. The amount of water cascading down these mile+ wide falls—known locally as “the smoke that thunders”—was truly mind-boggling. While none of us were brave enough to bungee jump off it, we did walk across the historic bridge and border into Zambia.

Living in a luxury tent with the sounds of the Zambezi and amazing sunsets and sunrises right outside our door was a tough routine to leave behind, but it made for a great stop! by @jackattacktodak

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3 months ago

After a long layover in London and almost as long in transit, we made it to our first destination: Londolozi. Josh’s parents visited this incredible reserve in South Africa over a decade ago and vowed to return with the kids, and I’m so grateful to have been included in this Roden family experience.

We had our first game drive shortly after arriving and quickly adjusted to our new schedule: 5:30 wake up, quick coffee and pastry, ~3.5-hour game drive, breakfast, a couple hours to ourselves, lunch, another ~3.5-hour game drive, dinner, bed, repeat.

We saw the big 5 and more within our first 24 hours, yet there was still something new and exciting to see on every drive. Though it also turns out that sitting in a vehicle (and eating) all day is somehow almost as exhausting as it is spectacular.

The last night in particular was especially memorable, as we were surprised with a 5 star dinner in the bush with fabulous wine and nibbles, giraffes browsing nearby, a lovely sunset, and a nice chat with our staff.

Endless superlatives about the wildlife, the food, the staff, and the accommodation alike on this first leg of our African adventure 🇿🇦🦏 by @jackattacktodak

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3 months ago

Another late post because that’s all I’m good at 🙃

On a trip to Greece with Josh in 2023, we spent a couples nights on the Albanian Riviera, in the lovely seaside village of Sarandë. Despite it being very quiet and cool so early in the season, the coast and food were great, and I vowed to return. Two years later, I made my return, spending a week+ exploring the country on another of my solo road trips.

I started my trip with a few days in the Albanian Alps which were amazing, affordable, and largely empty. The tiny village of Theth where I stayed was very cute, and I had a nice cabin with a great view, delightful breakfast every morning, and an adorable resident dog. I was training for a marathon, and this was also a great spot to get some runs in.

From there, I explored several old Ottoman villages—Krujë, Kruçë, Berat, and Gjirokastër. The latter was my favorite—it had the cutest markets, best views, and everywhere smelled of jasmine. Then, I returned to the Riviera, this time opting for Himarë which is further north, smaller, quieter, and less touristy, though the water was no less gorgeous.

I ended my trip in Tiranë which is exactly what I expected of the capital of the poorest country in Europe which was part of the Soviet Union until its fall. A lot of block buildings but also some nice monuments, trendy areas with modern construction, and great food. It also has several nice parks and bike/running paths that were well-used and lots of live music. I was also able to quickly catch a friend just starting her Albanian adventure which was fun!

I’m not sure if I’ll make it back for a third visit, but I’m very happy I had this second trip. Between the Alps and the Pindus mountains, history, cute villages, gorgeous coastline, and amazing food, all being uncrowded and at bargain prices compared to its neighbors on the Adriatic, this country offers so much, and I personally think it is highly underrate. It’s likely to continue to grow in popularity in the coming years and is one to add to your list if it’s not already on it!

#Albania #AlbanianRiviera #AlbanianAlps #MaldivesOfEurope #Balkans by @jackattacktodak

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4 months ago

In addition to running the marathon, I also walked over 20 miles around Boston from Little Italy to Back Bay, joined the girls for a “sunset” harbor cruise, consumed every kind of carb I could get my hand on (for those who voted, the final count was 15 different types), ate lots of great seafood, enjoyed all of the blooming magnolias, daffodils, and tulips, did some shopping, and, most importantly, enjoyed the company of the BEST cheer squad! It was cold and largely wet, but my third trip to Boston was still one for the books even without the main event! taken in Boston, Massachusetts by @jackattacktodak

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6 months ago

People often ask if I was always a runner—the answer to that question is a resounding no. I did cross country for a single season; I was not good, and I hated it.

Fast forward to nearly 30—after watching Des Linden become the first woman to win Boston, I was inspired and impulsively registered for my first ever race. I did shockingly well and, largely because of that initial success, in the years since, I have pushed myself to run more. I’ve made a series of running-related goals, most recently including my first 1,000+ mile year AND qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 2025.

Unfortunately, I pulled my quad tendon 4 weeks ago which effectively sidelined me and killed my training plan. Although I never intended to PR in Boston, I had to significantly downgrade my expectations.

I set off from Hopkinton feeling surprisingly good, but by mile 18, I was hurting badly. I desperately wanted to walk, but I knew if I started walking, I wouldn’t be able to start running again. With 500k+ cheering spectators along the route fueling me, I managed to run the whole race, pushing through a LOT of discomfort in not just one but eventually both quads. I crossed the finish line in 3:47:07 (8:40/mile), which was in line with my initial goal to finish between my only two other marathon race times—3:18 and 3:56. I’m super happy with that time considering the circumstances!

It’s hard to comprehend that in just a few short years, I’ve gone from being a non-runner to finishing the oldest and most iconic marathon in the world and in a respectable time despite an injury. I had to get there completely on my own merit and grit, and I am just so damn proud of myself for making it happen.

I am also beyond grateful for the 6 girlfriends who made shirts and signs and flew across the country to cheer me on at the halfway point and celebrate me at the finish, and for the 100+ people who texted, messaged, posted, and tracked me before/during/after the race. The support means so much to me—THANK YOU ALL!!! 🫶

#BostonMarathon #MarathonMonday #MeetTheMoment taken in Boston, Massachusetts by @jackattacktodak

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6 months ago

Third trip to Japan, second year in a row, husband’s first trip to Asia—all a success!

For Josh’s “Ski Week” this year, we showed up to a fresh foot and got another 2+ feet during our trip, though if wishing we had even more was my biggest complaint, we were clearly doing something right. We rode 7 days across 6 resorts in Hakuba Valley (again) and Nozawa Onsen—which was adorable—and had every condition except, thankfully, rain. In addition to time on the slopes, we also enjoyed lots of onsens, trains, views (the ocean from the top of a lift?!), and *obviously* great food, including a fabulous omakase dinner in Tokyo. I’m so glad I got to share these experiences with Josh this time!

Already looking forward to the Japow 2027 trip 🎌❄️🍣 by @jackattacktodak

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7 months ago