Since our previous posts Why I Run For Boston and Running Mad, Alice and Wonderland Themed Virtual, we've had many questions about our virtual races so we thought we would post this.
Even though we are not extremely new to running/racing we are
fairly new to the social media arena and a year ago if you would have asked us
what a virtual race was neither of us could probably tell you. Since becoming involved with FB, Pinterest,
and blogging, we’ve seen many mentions of these virtual races. Being the sleuth
that I am, I did some research because I wanted to learn more. Afterall, I couldn’t believe that you would
just receive a medal just because you said you were going to do something (run). So here is what I found out about these
races.
It’s virtual, so you don’t have to attend an actual
race with other runners. You can do it from the comfort of your own
neighborhood, your favorite running trail, or on your treadmill. However, it would be more fun to get a
running buddy or a running group to do these types of runs with.
You track your own mileage. Some virtual races will
let you choose which distance you want to run (5K, 10K, or half marathon) and
other races are already a set distance like 26.2 miles ( This was the distance
for the Boston Remembrance Run). I easily tracked the miles I ran each day
using my Garmin, and then transferring that distance to my calendar. When your mileage is completed you will send
it to the race coordinator. Some have a website you will log into to track your
miles. Each race is done differently so you would have to check with the person
sponsoring it.
Some virtual races give you a block of time in which
the total distance should be complete. For example they may say a virtual race
is for 26.2 miles and you have from August 1st to August 7th
to complete it. Others may say their virtual race is only for a 5k and it must
be complete on such and such a day. If
you have an actual race planned for one of the days that falls with in your
virtual race window, guess what? Those miles count! Virtual races are great to do in conjunction
with some of those smaller local races that don’t give out finisher medals (
you know which ones I mean). You get to
log miles and you eventually get a medal for your effort. It’s a win- win!
·
Like actual races, there is still a registration fee. The proceeds from the race generally go to a
charity. For example, the proceeds from the Boston Remembrance run went to the
Boston One Fund. In most cases the registration fee for a virtual run is much
cheaper than an actual race registration and in some cases the medal is even nicer!
·
That’s right, you get a medal! Medals are usually themed according to the
race. The Boston Remembrance Run medal
was a replica of the Boston strong ribbon, and the Running Mad virtual through
MRTT (moms run this town), was a silhouette of Alice, the Mad Hatter and their
wonderland friends. Some races will also have a bib that you can print out. So
you may not get any snazzy race pictures of you crossing the finish line, but
you will have a bib if you like to put something in your running scrapbook.
Why I think virtual races are cool.
It’s easy to find races in the spring and then again in the
fall, but races are not very plentiful in the summer. I’ve signed up for two virtual races this
summer to keep myself motivated and accountable for my mileage. Somedays it’s so easy to put off a run, but when I know
I have to do so many miles each day to reach my goal for a virtual it motivates
me more.
Before virtual racing, I’ve never kept track of how many miles
I ran in a week or month. I would save my distance on my device ( watch, i-pod,
etc) but never did anything with it. Since virtual racing I’ve recorded all of
my miles on my paper calendar ( yes I still use one of those). I am proud to say that I’ve completed 70.58
miles in the month of June. That may not
be a lot for some people, but I am just happy that I’ve stayed motivated and
remembered to keep track! These virtual
races have definitely helped. The virtual races run off the honesty system (
haha get it,”Run” off the honesty
system, I didn’t even mean to do that), but believe me you’ll want to reach
your goal. Besides, who wants to display
a medal they didn’t rightfully earn?
So how do you get involved with one of these races? There are many people out there that are doing
virtual races and what not. I’ll share a
few of my favorites ( in no particular order).
image from fit4life |
image from usroadrunning |
MOMS RUN THIS TOWN (MRTT): This organization includes us dog
mommas too! In the past MRTT have sponsored a Winter virtual ( Winter
Runnerland) and a Summer Virtual ( Running Mad). As a mother’s day gift I signed my mom and I
up for this virtual and we chose to do the 10K run.
I know there are a lot of other charities floating around out
there that are doing virtual races. Even some that are “Disney” themed. What’s that about a glass slipper virtual? And I know there’s something out there about a
Dopey virtual. If you have a link to any
virtual races, please share it below in the comments.
I should also add that if you are looking to mix things up a bit or work on your cross training, there are some virtual races that are bike races.
What are your thoughts on virtual races? Have you ever done one?
Do you have a link or know of any virtual races coming
up? Please share!
I love virtual runs! I don't have the ability to run organized races (though I did get to run a 10k at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati...that was so much fun). I am involved with Fit 4 Life and US Road Running and love their organizations. they have kept me running all summer :)
ReplyDeleteNice to see another member of Fit 4 Life and US Road Running! They really are great organizations! ( Congrats on the flying pig 10K)
DeleteI have never done a virtual race before, but I definitely will in the future! I think it's a great way to keep people motivated!!
ReplyDeleteIf you do one please keep these organizations in mind! Virtuals are really a great way to stay motivated in the "off" season!
DeleteThis girl raises money for some great charities and she recently had a few Alice in wonderland runs with BEAUTIFUL medals, honestly some of the nicest looking ones I've seen. She also emails you race bibs and you can post finish times and pictures if you like on the Facebook page after the race.
ReplyDeleteAll the races are currently sold out (some of them for the second time) but yesterday she put up a wait list for anyone who would be interested in the races and she might open them up again if she gets enough interest (which I can't imagine her not) I can't wait to see what other races she puts out http://runningdisney.weebly.com/index.html
Thank you for writing about US Road Running!
ReplyDelete