Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend and woke up this morning ready to take on the world 🙂 Today I’m recapping my virtual race that I ran on Friday afternoon.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free race packet from Gone For A Run for the Road Shark Virtual 5 Mile Race. All opinions are my own.
On Friday, July 31, I ran the Road Shark Run Virtual 5 Mile Race. I previously discussed the race here last month. I ran this race virtually with Smitha, Robin and over 1,000 other runners! Believe it or not, this was my first 5 mile race. The race packet included a t-shirt, bib, magnet and medal (bling-bling)!
Who wouldn’t want to run this fun themed race?! |
Even though this was a virtual run, I treated it like a real race. After I got home from work I had a glass of water with lemonade Nuun and a Honey Stinger chocolate waffle and I was ready to go. I opted to do this run on a treadmill because it was kind of hot and humid outside and I also wanted to try to keep my pace consistent. When I run outside, my pace tends to be all over the place and I wanted to try to keep a 10:00/mile pace for the whole run.
I did a quick half mile warm-up and then increased the pace for the rest of the run. As usual, I had my music so I was able to drown out all the surrounding noise and just focus on the run. Once I got to mile 4.5, I checked my watch and saw that I would have to pick up the pace to finish in 50 mins. Luckily I still had some energy left and I “sprinted toward the finish”. I finished the 5 miles in 50:00 minutes!
Gone For A Run encourages runners to share their photos and results on social media, especially Facebook. It’s a nice way to build a community around the runs. Even though these are virtual runs, there is still a great social aspect, which I personally love!
Today I received this awesome email from Gone For a Run. I thought it was a nice touch!
If you’re interested in keeping up to date with Gone For A Run and their virtual race series, be sure to follow them on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The next race in their series is the Sole Sister Run Virtual 7 Mile Race taking place August 28-30.
Source |
Have you ever participated in a virtual race?
Diane says
I have only done 1 virtual race. I found I kind of slacked off compared to how I would run a regular race. We got to choose 4 mile or 10 mile. Since I normally run half marathons, I choose 10 miles but when it came down to me doing the virtual race, I only ran 4 and I didn't run at my regular race speed. It was for a good cause though so that was cool! Sounds like you did a much better job with your virtual race!! Nice work!
kookyrunner says
Hi Diane! Thanks for your comment! I think thats the tricky thing with virtual races. That's why I tried to get my mindset correct before starting the race because I know its easy for me to slack off!!
Wendy@TakingtheLongWayHome says
I did this one too, and I'll be posting my review tomorrow!!!
I didn't get that email… 🙁
kookyrunner says
Awesome! I hope you get the email today 🙂
emmers712 says
I've never done a virtual race! But I am all about the bling and those are some fabulous medals. Love the race shirts, too. And a shoe charm to boot for this next one? Sweet!
Great job on finishing in 50 minutes! That is NOT easy to do on a treadmill!!!
kookyrunner says
Thank you! I'm really considering signing up for the next virtual race in their series based on the shoe charm lol 🙂
Kimberly Hatting says
I have not done any virtuals this year, but have done several in the past. They are great motivators for me in the off season 🙂 I might have to look into this series!
kookyrunner says
I agree! I don't have any races this month so I feel like I need to do a virtual race, LOL