Have you ever participated in a virtual run/race? If not you're probably wondering what one is. I'll admit before last year I had no clue what one was. I had seen a couple tweets come up on Twitter about virtual races but didn't pay much attention to them. That is until one of my favorite bloggers Run with Jess posted about one on her blog. A virtual race is a “race” that can be run anywhere you are, no
specific starting time or starting place. They occasionally have
specific dates, or sometimes the dates will range a week or two to give
you time to finish it. Just pick your favorite course and run.
Last year, Run with Jess posted on her blog that she would be planning a race in her hometown a 5k with cupcakes at the finish. YUM! I wanted to run. However, Jess lived to far away for me to come run with her. She decided to allow others in other states to run with her "virtually". All you had to do was email her your time and you'd be considered a finisher. You could run the race at anytime during the week of her race. I thought it was a great idea. I decided to sign up. She had two options to join. You could join for free and be entered in the raffle or pay a small fee and, receive a race tee. I opted to receive the tee.
Last year, Run with Jess posted on her blog that she would be planning a race in her hometown a 5k with cupcakes at the finish. YUM! I wanted to run. However, Jess lived to far away for me to come run with her. She decided to allow others in other states to run with her "virtually". All you had to do was email her your time and you'd be considered a finisher. You could run the race at anytime during the week of her race. I thought it was a great idea. I decided to sign up. She had two options to join. You could join for free and be entered in the raffle or pay a small fee and, receive a race tee. I opted to receive the tee.
Last year, I went out and ran it alone..came home and devoured my cupcake. It was a great way to get myself motivated to run alone.
Last weekend, my Run, Mama, Run! running group decided they would all participate in Run with Jess Cupcake Classic 5k. We would all meet up and run it together. Then receive our cupcakes after. What fun!! I loved the idea of doing it with friends this year. However, I am in the process of training for some longer races coming up and, had 9 miles on the schedule for that weekend long run. My running buddies and I decided we'd run 6 and then meet up with the rest of the group and run the 5k. So we would get 9 miles in.
The first 6 miles went really great. I was in the zone. I was in minimal pain due to my PF but, I felt good. After the 6 miles we had to stop to meet the group. We waited about 30 mins. before the 5k started. I have no clue how some people do two a days. The 5k race hurt me like no other. I was in such pain. I think part was due to the cold weather and the stiffness of my muscles. Other was my PF was flaring up big time. One of my running buddies and I kept it slow and steady. We finally finished. Exhausted!!
One of the ladies in the group had brought cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes, one of the most delicious cupcake shops around where we live. I opted for the red velvet of course. Yumm! It was heavenly!
This year, Run with Jess had a medal option you could purchase. I did not order a tee or medal this year. I'm disappointed I didn't, they were super nice.
Virtual Run's are a great idea if your looking to do something as a group or solo... yet, don't have the time to do it on a certain day. You have the freedom to get it done when you can.
