Top 10 Reasons to Run a Virtual Race
This year has left us all wondering what’s going to happen next. When will in person races resume, and what will future races look like is still up in the air. That does not mean that racing has completely stopped. Have you thought about running a virtual race? Running a virtual race is an excellent way to give you something to look forward to!
10 Reasons to Run a Virtual Race
- Keeps You Motivated
My number one reason to run virtual races is that it keeps me motivated. I find that I am more active, when I am following a training plan. Best part, virtual races still require a training plan. Unsure of what type of training plan to use? Check out Running Training Plans.
- Goals
When races began to cancel in 2020, I had to reset a ton of race goals. Just sitting back is not an option for me. I decided to try virtual racing. When running a virtual race, you will still need to set goals. Goals can be for time or distance. Some virtual races are a set number of miles to be completed in a specific time frame. To accomplish this, you would set a goal to run a certain number of miles per week.
- Convenience
You get to pick when to race. Ever notice as a female runner that the race falls at an inconvenient time of the month? Do you work weekends? Since you get to choose, you can race when it works best for you. Life gets in the way of the race? Pick a new date and you are good to go.
- Race Wherever You Like
Running a virtual race means that you get to run on the course of your choice. You could run from your own home, and make your house an aid station. Not a fan of hills? Create your own race course and make it nice and flat. You could pick an amazing trail to run to complete your run. Two of the virtual runs I ran this spring, I chose to run a gorgeous trail. This made the virtual race something to look forward to, and made for some amazing scenery while I ran.
- Avoid Bad Weather
Is it going to rain Saturday when you are set to run? Its a virtual race change the date to Sunday! Most virtual races have a set time to complete the race, but it is usually over a few weeks. This allows you to adjust as needed.
- Swag
Who doesn’t like more bling on their walls? Virtual races still have that amazing medal to show off. Many virtual races still offer various swag such as t-shirts, buffs and medals.
- Get Your Family Active Too
Virtual races are great for kids. You can choose a race based on distance or mileage. My daughter and I completed a virtual in May, that you could run, bike or walk 100 miles in one month. Although she is only 8, she crushed it!
- More Affordable
Many virtual runs cost less than an in person race. This is your chance to rack up the medals for less money.
- No Race Day Nerves
Race day nerves can be for multiple reasons, for example trying to find parking, standing in the coral with other runners anxiously waiting for the start. Ever been in a long bathroom lines, and therefore miss the start of the race? Not with virtual race!
- If You Race is Cancelled, You Will Not Lose Your Training
Is your race cancelled and you’ve spent 8 weeks training already? Don’t want the training to go to waste? Continue with training and find a virtual race to participate in.
Types of Virtual Races
Virtual races can vary in distance from 5 k to ultra distances. Virtual races can also be quite unique, such as the Yeti Challenge. The Yeti Challenge had runners run 5 miles every hour for 24 hours. Another option for a virtual race is running a set amount of miles, over a set time period. The Run Across Tennessee is an example of this. You run 1000 k from 5/1/2020 – 8/31/2020. Sounds like fun right!
Races I am Running
Since the end of March I have done three virtual races. I have run a trail half marathon, trail 15 k and the 100 mile challenge. I am currently working on a 150 mile virtual race that will wrap up at the end of August. The virtual race is called Midwest States Coyote Summer 2020. So far so good, I am right on track to finish this one.
I was looking for something to work on once I am done with the Midwest States Coyote Summer 2020. The New York City Marathon has a virtual option for the 2020 race. The first 1000 entrants could gain guaranteed entry to the marathon in upcoming years. Why not try for a spot? Although I didn’t get guaranteed entry to a future marathon, I signed up for the run for a medal option. The Cellcom Marathon that I was going to run this spring was cancelled, so now I will still get to run a marathon! Let the training begin!
Still Not Sure About Running a Virtual Race
If 2020 has taught me anything it’s that when life gives you lemons make lemonade! I admit I was a skeptic at first, but I needed something to keep me going. To sum up, virtual races are the perfect way to keep getting out there and do what runners do run! The best part they are fun!
[…] came the race cancellations. To keep myself motivated I had signed up for some virtual runs, but that long distance was calling my name. I saw that the New York Marathon was offering a […]