EPISODE 57 LISTEN HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/57-all-about-virtual-races-what-is-the-point/id1446735036
How & Why Virtual Races are the answer This has been a CRAZY time of year with races being cancelled. We were scheduled to do a podcast today on the Grandma’s Marathon course preview but it along with thousands of other races this spring and summer have been cancelled! We are faced with the decision to either not race at all or participate in ‘virtual races’. Prior to COVID-19 social distancing I do not think many runners participated in virtual races, but now they are all the rage 🙂
What is a virtual race & when was the first time you heard of them?
Time trials Are virtual races hard or easier? Why?
Is there a benefit to doing virtual races or should we just continue to train and race when things open up again?
Fear of not running to your potential… rusty.. etc Do courses make a difference? Downhill? Perfect weather? etc?
Is it okay to pause your watch?
Do PRs count as real PRs? Do you expect to see a lot of runners PR in virtual races?
How long do you think until regular running comes back?
What are ways you can stay excited about virtual races when there isn’t a race day atmosphere?
What is even the point?
Should you do them even if you are not excited about them? How many virtual races is too many?
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❓SHOULD YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE VIRTUAL RACES?
✅There’s no right or wrong answer here! These virtual races are great for fitness checkpoints to see how you’re progressing. They also help to prevent getting rusty from racing! Practicing that mental race preparation and the physical act of racing is important to do every few months 💪
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❓HOW CAN WE MAKE THESE VIRTUAL RACES FUN?
✅Get creative with the planning! Utilize mapmyrun.com or another route planning app to find your perfect route. Give yourself a sense of freedom to choose the course you want. Talk to other runners and see what courses they have used in your area! Decide if you want to challenge yourself on a hilly route or get a fast time on a flat or downhill route 🙌
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❓DOES THE PR COUNT?
✅The PR is for YOU! If you feel that it counts, then YES! As amater runners, it’s all about 🔥YOU vs. YOU🔥
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❓SHOULD YOU STOP YOUR WATCH?
✅The best option is to find a route with minimal need to stop, so one with less intersections, pedestrians, etc. If you can’t do that and have to stop your watch, then use your ELAPSED time instead of your MOVING time (you can find the two different numbers on your GPS watch or Strava) •
❓HOW MANY VIRTUAL RACES IS TOO MANY?
✅You can sign up for all the virtual races that you want and run them, but choose a select few as your “A” goal races and run the other ones easy so you aren’t overdoing it! It can be easy to jump into all of them, so choose the ones you are most excited about to actually “race”!
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