I have a feeling this will not be my last post on virtual racing, so bear with me.
I promise to vary the content and the details. After all, there will not be any race recaps in the foreseeable future. I guess highlighting some of the experiences from this temporary "normal" will have to do.
Anyways, we are barely one month into the COVID Cancellation Crisis, and I have already run five virtual races (and done one virtual stair climb event). YIKES. I think I have matched my previous "record" of virtual events, all in the matter of a few ((short?)) weeks. And, this has barely scratched the surface of what is yet to (virtually) come.
To say I have a new found respect for all things virtual would be an understatement. Not only has there been virtual races, but also some virtual Face Time walks, virtual coffee gatherings, and virtual hugs shared (but I'll save those for another blog post).
So far, there has been one virtual race run due to an actual event "going virtual," the
Chocoholic Frolic 10K. The race organizers wasted no time in mailing out the race packets promptly within days (literally) of cancelling the actual race event. Upon getting home from work, late on a rather cold and windy Friday afternoon, I found said race packet waiting in the mailbox for me. Within 15 minutes, I was suited up, my shoes were tied, and the Garmin set...and off I went.
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| Chocoholic Frolic 10K |
A couple of my virtuals were run rather spontaneously. Both were tribute "races" done in the spirit (or in spite?) of the virus that had taken so many scheduled races away from so many eager runners. The
COVID-19 Mile allowed participants 24 hours to complete 19 miles (it took me around 20 hours, dividing up the miles among three separate runs).
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| COVID-19-Miler |
The other, the
Crushing COVID 5K, I learned of on a Sunday evening (right before bed) and ran the next day (after work), appropriately socially-distanced from a runner friend (how's that for irony?).
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| Crushing COVID 5K |
Late last week, I succumbed to peer pressure (in the most friendly way LOL), and registered for the
UN-Canceled Project Series. Sponsored by
Run the Edge, this series features four weeks of virtual race themes (Gratitude, Hope, Humor and Inspiration) and five distance options (5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2, and Ultra). So far, I have run the
Gratitude 10K (last Saturday), and the
Hope 5K (Monday, after work). These races are free, and there's no bling (which is quite fine by me).
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| Gratitude 10K (top, left); Hope 5K (above) |
It occurred to me, this weekend, that I could turn this "virtual gig" into a little challenge for myself. Typically, I keep my Monday runs short (2-3 miles, max). Since I've now done two back-to-back 5K virtuals (both on Mondays), why not make that ritual my Monday routine (for the time-being)? It's not like I need to save my legs for any big weekend races (other than virtual a 13.1 LOL). I usually reserve Tuesdays for recovery anyways...so, why not capitalize on it?
My plan? Run the same route, each week, every Monday. It's about a 1/2-mile distance to get there (for a warm-up), then three laps of a 1-mile "loop" around the main college campus (hence, no traffic crossings to deal with), then a 1/2-mile back home (for a cool-down). Of course, the precise time of day will not be identical, nor will the weather, but the route itself will be the same.
I am hoping to run these Monday 5K's hard, ideally with a concerted effort to PR each week. It can, then, serve as a speed workout. Sound good? Well, already two Mondays in, the PR didn't happen (shocker?!?). This week's 5K "time trial" was a bit of a bust because my legs felt heavy. Even the warm-up felt like I was dragging. I'm alright with it, though. One does not need a PR to get in a good workout. The effort was still there even if my body wasn't a willing participant. No regrets.
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| last Monday (on left) vs. this Monday (on right) |
So, that's the latest in my "new" little world of virtual racing. It's not the spring racing season I'd have chosen, but it's what I was dealt. I'm simply choosing to go with the flow and make the best of it. #
TeamLemonade and all that jazz.
Tell me what's happening in YOUR little world of racing right now. Are you doing the virtual thing? Taking some time off? Scaling back on the training? Or, full steam ahead to train for fall races?
I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up
I'm also linking with Debbie, Rachel, Deborah, Lisa and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup
By the way...are you following me on social media? You can find me at these various platforms:
What a brilliant idea of running the 5k every Monday! Racing against yourself is a great challenge.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm just running high volume and including a lot of hills. However, I should get some proper speed workouts done. After all, I want to be ready when we start racing again, LOL!
I'm trying to stay in shape,too...not necessarily "peak" shape (because I know my body needs some downtime between training cycles), but I definitely want to stay in the game ;-) The 5K distance is still a mystery to me...I've never been a good 5K racer, hoping this thing will enhance that a bit.
DeleteListen, virtual racing is legit. I learned so much from the 5k and 10k that I did. I didn't think it was possible to push myself to get anywhere near to race times let alone PRs and I'm very happy to have been wrong.
ReplyDeleteI agree, virtual racing is legit. I do prefer the real racing environment (who doesn't), but this virtual thing is here to stay for now...and I'm gonna make do with it. We'll see what these legs can do NEXT Monday LOL
DeleteIt's always great to have goals and I do like that they are positive themes. Luckily I'm pretty immune to peer pressure (I guess that goes with being an introvert).
ReplyDeleteIt's also a nice way to sneak in that speedwork. Well done, Kim!
Obviously not doing the virtual thing. I am literally slowing down to experiment with the nasal breathing thing. It seemed like a good time to try it!
This is a perfect time to work on the nasal breathing! I should be working on fueling options since the gels aren't my best friend(s) in recent years.
DeleteI have never been a big fan of virtual races but the ones I've done in the past, I always treated as if it were a true race. Obviously, I'm doing the same with these but they feel different and that's probably because I'm not running them as part of a race training plan.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part in racing virtual, at least for me, is the route and traffic. I'm glad I got the idea to do this 5K thing around a 1-mile loop so I don't have to deal with cars crossing my path. I have a couple virtual 13.1's later this month...those probably won't be truly raced, given the circumstances, but I'm looking forward to running them anyways.
DeleteTotally impressed with your mojo.
ReplyDeleteVirtual races are great motivators.
I’m doing a few. Mostly unofficial ones for the races that have been cancelled.
Thanks, Darlene ;-) The virtual races are definitely serving a great purpose these days for us.
DeleteI think that these virtual races are a really great way to sty active, and accountable, during these crazy times. I am going to attempt to do a virtual race once a week until things are "back to normal". My only requirement is that the race benefit a charity and luckily I've been able to find a few that fit that criteria.
ReplyDeleteI agree...it's great to do the races that support a good cause. I've been doing some free ones, and I do feel guilty that I'm doing them more for myself than someone else's benefit.
DeleteYou have definitely embraced the virtual race life! Since I wasn't really signed up for much, I didn't have a surplus of virtuals in the bank, and I really didn't want to pay for any, since I'm still not running, exactly. That being said, it's great to have the benefit of the accountability and it's nice that race registrations aren't going to waste (even though I know you'd rather be running them real-time).
ReplyDeleteIt's unusual that I didn't have any summer races paid for when all this stuff went down. Ironically, when I had my knee issue, I didn't have much for late summer/early fall races on tap either...and that timing was ideal. Crazy how that worked LOL
DeleteVirtual races take getting used to but I'm so glad they are an option at this time! I'm going to be selective though in terms of what I count and don't count for my #20in20 Race Challenge. So for The Un-Cancelled Project, I've got 8 races but I'm going to count them as one race for my 20 Challenge. But if races are cancelled for the year, I may reconsider that, LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt's tricky fitting all the virtuals in...and even if the "race" is the same distance, I still feel a little weird allowing it as a substitution. But, it's the best we can do under these weird circumstances. Several years ago, I had a goal to do a "new-to-me" race every month, which was tough in the colder months when there were no real races happening in Iowa. I did sneak in a few virtual races for those...
DeleteI also have a newfound love of all things virtual. I am really enjoying this uncanceled series. I am running them pretty easy and not racing them for now. I like the motivation and the sense of accomplishment I get from them. Thanks in advance for linking up!
ReplyDeleteI'm only going to really "race" the 5K's (on Mondays), other than that, there's really no reason to go hardcore with them. They definitely are a good distraction!
DeleteYou've done a lot of virtual races in a short time! I did a 5k and then a 10k and this week I think I am taking a break from the virtual races. I'm still deciding if I want to do a half next weekend, but just in case I figured I would back off a bit right now. It's not ideal, but its nice to have these opportunities to work towards something and connect with other runners!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to do the virtual distance on the days there would have been a "real" race...we'll see. We kind of get to make our own rules with this LOL
DeleteLove the idea of the Monday 5K! I wish I could be so consistent with my running but I have to take it one week, and sometimes one day at a time. I actually did do a virtual group run with City Fit Girls last week, so that was nice, but I'm not a fan of the virtual races. I do love though that they're getting people more motivated to keep running despite all the races being cancelled/delayed. Gotta love our running community!
ReplyDeleteThere's no way I could be this consistent with a newborn to care for, or even little kids. I didn't start running until the youngest of ours was in school...and that's before I had a job outside of the house. Yes, we have an awesome community of runners!!!
DeleteWow! 5 virtual races and a virtual stair climb already! Good for you!!! I have been enjoying virtual races too. I have just been doing 5Ks and all of the virtual races I have done are of the free variety, except, I guess for the virtual half I did when the Asheville half was canceled. I also did a virtual 1K with my 6-year-old grandson (he actually ran with his Daddy). That was a fun way to keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteI'm also loving keeping in touch virtually through zoom too!
We got to make the best of the #covidcrazy situation, right? We'll get through this ;-)
DeleteWay to go with completing 19 miles over three runs! Love all of the virtual running that you are doing!
ReplyDeleteThanks ;-) The virtual runs are a nice distraction...though I'd rather be pinning on a real race bib LOL
DeleteThis is a great way to never miss a Monday! Enjoy it! I haven't done a virtual race yet. Time will tell!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I had that light bulb moment with the Monday 5K's. Now, I just have to hope the weather plays nice, because I don't want to do any of those 5K's on the treadmill...I want to do all of them on the same route. High standards ;-)
DeleteYou are definitely making the best of your spring racing season! I love your idea of making your Monday 5K's speed workouts. Here's hoping you get a PR this Monday.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with all of your virtual races. I am not a big fan of them but decided to do the Uncanceled Project just because. I mean I have nothing to lose. But I like how these races are keeping runners motivated during this time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with us and I am sorry for responding so late.