Tuesday, May 26, 2015

BadAss 5 Miler Virtual Race Recap and linkup

As you know from my last post about this race,  I was a little skeptical about running a virtual race. I didn't know how to prepare for this race and how to make it special, since I run 5 miles most days. Do I run it on a different course? Do I run it in my neighborhood? Do I wear the bib? And when do I run it? The race dates are scheduled for May 29-31, but due to scheduling conflicts, I'm not able to run it on any of those days. I'll probably get a 5 miler in next Saturday, but I have to work, and I don't want to "race" before I head into the office to see patients. I decided I'd run it this weekend, but again, where? I had a variety of options in my head. The forest preserve? The retention pond? Do I wait until we head up to Wisconsin and run up there?

After consulting the weather forecast (which is a must when racing, even virtual racing), I made the decision to run this race here, at home, in my neighborhood, on the 5 mile route I run most days, the one that starts and ends at my house, on Saturday. The weather for the rest of the weekend looked iffy. Heck, the town where are I live already cancelled Monday's Memorial Day parade, based on the the prediction of thunderstorms. Seriously. We are becoming a bunch of weather wimps, if you ask me.

So in my planning, I discovered the first advantage of running a virtual race. Flexible scheduling! No need to plan around the race, I planned the race around me and my schedule. The second advantage I already was realizing is that weather would not be an issue for my race! I picked a beautiful spring morning--it was 52 degrees and sunny at "race time", which was about 7:10 by the time I got moving. The conditions were perfect for a PR.

Anyways, once I made the decision to run at home, I felt a sense of relief. Yes, I was feeling a little pressure around this one! I wanted to PR this race, besting my 5 mile PR of 40:45, which I got last November at a Turkey Trot. If you're going to run a virtual race, you need to make it meaningful, right?

Ready to run!
I fueled with 2 cups of coffee and chocolate soy milk, and headed out to my driveway  the starting line. I considered putting a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner on my running playlist, but thought that was taking it a little too far. Instead, I grooved to Killing in the Name of by Rage Against the Machine while I waited for my Garmin to find a signal. After about a minute, I got the go ahead and I was off!

It didn't take long for my legs to fall into a groove, which I was pleased with, since I didn't foam roll after my heavy lifting session with Becky earlier this week. As I ran, I was thinking that I didn't have that surge of adrenaline I get at the start of a race, but then a loud motorcycle sped by me at high speed, and I just about jumped out of my Asics. Ok, then, my heart rate is up!

I continued to weave through my neighborhood, listening to my half marathon playlist. I was moving pretty fast, and kept trying to hold back. My legs wanted to fly, and that was a pretty awesome feeling! I saw a couple of my neighbors out walking their dogs. I waved and kept going. I didn't see any other runners, but I did see some cyclists.

About mile 3, I started to get a side stitch, and my tummy was cramping a little. I didn't want to stop to use the bathroom at the park fieldhouse, because my Garmin stops when I do, and wouldn't that be cheating? So I ignored the cramps, slowed down a little bit (you can see that reflected in my splits), and let things settle down. I picked up the pace again, and headed for the homestretch.

The final stretch takes me along the frontage road that runs along a highway. I was moving really fast, and was starting to feel a little lot nauseous. I looked down at my Garmin and saw my time--I knew I was in the vicinity of a PR, so I pushed through the discomfort. I turned the corner onto my street, and as I approached my house the finish line, I hit mile 5 and pushed stop on my Garmin.

My splits. And a 7 second PR!


Well, seeing that just put a huge smile on my face! Even though it's not an official PR, it is a PR to me, and I glad I was able to push myself that hard without the motivation of a live race environment. Running a virtual race is a different experience--it's a different kind of mental prep. I put the finisher's medal around my neck, set up my phone to take a finisher's photo, and went in the house to have breakfast. 


A few more thoughts about running a virtual race: 
-A virtual race is A RACE. It might even be a little tougher than a live race because you don't have the race environment to motivate you. Set a time goal for your race. Make it meaningful. 
-Prepare yourself just like you would for a live race. Plan what you're going to wear. Take photos before and after. I took a picture wearing the bib, but I didn't race in the bib. I felt a little foolish, and my neighbors already think I'm weird. Maybe that wouldn't bother you, tho!
-Keep yourself honest. Sure, there's no official start/finish pad to track your time. No one but you will know if you cheat. But really, what's the point of that? You don't get to be a better runner by cheating yourself. 
-Plan your course ahead of time so you aren't weaving around to get the miles you need. I knew this route well because I run it all the time. And there is the definite advantage of running a familiar route!
-Savor the flexibility! Check the weather, run at the time of day that suits you the best. To me, this was a huge advantage. 

Overall, this was great experience for me. I loved the need for self-discipline, and the t-shirt and medal were awesome. Would I do another one? Well, it looks like I already have one on the calendar. I won a free entry to the Skirt Sports 13er, which is in June. That one is going to be a little more challenging. Local friends, if you want to run part or all of it with me, let me know! I'm working on the course/route as we speak!

52 comments :

  1. My sister is also doing the Bad Ass 5 miler. I just love those shirts! -M

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  2. I think you should put the Star Spangled Banner on your next playlist! haha
    So awesome!

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  3. I have done a lot of virtuals, mainly for training miles. Last year, with my goal of 14 distance events in '14, I needed a few virtual races in the winter months to keep me on track (no pun intended). I agree, they are harder than "real" races because all the motivation and "crowd support" is up to YOU. :-)

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    1. I couldn't do it all the time, but this was fun. We'll see how my half goes in June.

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  4. Hoorray for a PR!! Well done.
    Love the t-shirt and medal - worth it for those alone.
    Great running!!

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    1. I'm sure that's why they asked me to do this one, designed with me in mind... LOL...

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  5. Love me some Rage against the Machine. Great job as always on your speedy pace and congrats on your PR!

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  6. I'll be running the Bad Ass Virtual next weekend, and its my first virtual race. I'm really excited!

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  7. Way to go on the PR! I've done a couple virtual races but never thought to make them super special. I always ran my usual routes in the city. Next time I should push myself more!

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  8. Your splits are just awesome! How I wish I could run those times! I haven't done a virtual in quite a while! I've been running with a group of friends and I need to suggest we do one to change things up! Thanks for the motivation! :)

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    1. This was a run experience. It would be even more fun with friends!

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  9. Awesome!! congrats on the PR and the great splits. You've sold me on a virtual race!

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    1. I wasn't so sure myself, but this was a lot of fun. Next up is that Skirt Sports 13er. Might be a little tougher to motivate myself for that one!

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  10. woot woot- love how you constantly push yourself - awesome time!!

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    1. I couldn't have asked for better conditions for a PR, that's for sure!

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  11. I have never tried a virtual race but maybe I should just to mix things up?

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  12. Awesome! Great splits girlfriend! I'll be doing this over the weekend!

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    1. I had to do mine early...life got in the way next weekend...

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  13. Well done! Cute name for a race. Virtual or otherwise.

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  14. Oh dang. Did i miss it? I thought it was next weekend. ... regardless, congrats

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    1. It is next weekend...I had to do it early due to scheduling conflicts. Ah, the beauty of a virtual race!

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  15. Congrats! In my opinion, every single PR counts. :-)

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  16. I kind of love this....my first ever blog post in Jan 2015 was called "Running My Own Race", and the virtual race does remind me a little bit of that....You should have put the Star Spangled Banner on your playlist!! That would not have been taking it too far at all.... As a matter of fact, maybe I will put it on my ipod for some extra motivation before some of my races !

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  17. Awesome job! I've never done a virtual race, but would like to sometime. I love your tshirt and the bling!

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  18. That's so cool that you could PR on a virtual run. I tend to take it easy when I run at home so I am not sure I could conjure up enough pressure to get me to top speed. Cute medal too!

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    1. I figured I needed to make it worth my while, since I run 5 miles on a regular basis. It was fun to push the pace!

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  19. So awesome that you did a virtual race and PR'd! I love that Rage Against the Machine song, too...definitely on my playlist. Thanks for sharing your report on my linkup.

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    1. Dang! Not sure what happened to my profile!

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    2. I'm not much of a pop music listener-- I prefer much more intense music. What can I say?

      I see your report on this link up! Thanks for linking up!

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  20. way to rock your run! amazing splits!! :)

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    1. It was really fun! Who knew I could push that hard without a race environment to motivate me?

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  21. You are a badass runner! WTG with the PR.

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  22. I really need to do one of these!! Great job on the PR!!

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  23. Race recaps are my favorite posts to write! This is awesome that you started this. Nice. Can't wait to contribute!!

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    1. I actually didn't start it--wish I could claim that--it's Jessica at the Silvah Lining. Anyone can guest host with her. Maybe you should email her to do a week!

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  24. Nice job on the PR! Good for you because I can never push myself on my own. I've tried running my own 5Ks and usually end up slowing back after a mile. I need all those other races to help push me to a PR. Hopefully will get one at my 10k this weekend!

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    1. I knew I had to post a recap as part of my free entry, so I had a lot of motivation to make this meaningful!!! We'll see how I do with my virtual half.

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  25. I've never done a virtual race before! I've been wanting to try Beat the Blerch

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    1. We're actually reading his book for this month's book club, if you want a little background!

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