Why, yes, I do have this song stuck in my head now… (Did I just date myself??)
Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough (Music Video) from Depeche Mode on Vimeo.
I admit it, I have an addiction. I love races. I love being around the people. I love the treats at the end. And I certainly love the bling.
But, sometimes going to a race is not an option. Sometimes life is too busy or there is nothing nearby. But I still need to get my long runs in. And, I don’t like to run by myself for longer than 10 miles. Yes, I realize that I’ve probably broken some distance runners creed. But, as much as I’m happy to go out for 6-8 miles by myself, after I hit an hour and a half of running alone, I just want to be done. (Now you know the real reason I don’t plan to run another marathon…)
So, if there’s no race available and no friend with a matching schedule, what’s a girl to do???
Virtual Race FTW!!!
I’ve done quite a few virtual races. Early last year I ran two virtual half marathons, I’ve done a ton of races organized by bloggers, and I even organized a well-attended “MCM Mama Goes Masters” virtual race for my 40th birthday.
From the Jost Running website:
For your entry fee, you get a customized bib and a medal. I have to say that the medals are some of the nicest I’ve ever gotten (and I have, umm, kind of a lot). Absolutely gorgeous and very substantial feeling!
This month, Jost Running is donating a portion of the fee to the Disabled Athlete Sports Association, so not only do you get the benefit of a challenge, you also help others. Jost Running is currently supporting a charity every other month, with the hopes that they can eventually choose a different charity each month.
Is it worth it to run a Virtual Race? If it helps to motivate you, then the answer is absolutely YES! We all have our individual motivations and desires for challenges, so if getting bling gets you moving, then I say it’s all good. You can do it anywhere, you can complete it at your own level, and you can take away a feeling of accomplishment. It’s all good!
Know what I’m doing with my medals? Donating them. There are a number of organizations that then give those medals to children who are running a much more important race. Seems like a good way to use them.
Have you run a virtual race? Do you find the “virtual” competition motivating?
Jost Running gave me the medals and race entry for free. All opinions are my own.
I have done a few virtual races for charitable causes set up by bloggers. It’s a good way to raise money, but overall I am not really a fan of counting “virtual” runs as races. However, if a virtual race helps motivate someone to get out the door they can’t be all that bad, right!
On the other hand, I am very happy to see that you are donating your medals. That is cool.
I have a hard time counting virtual races as actual races, I like the medal and all but it doesn’t have the same feel as toeing the start line with lots of other runners. I do them sometimes.