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!