Crush Your Virtual Race (Part III: Race Day)
Read Part I: Mindset
Read Part II: The Route
In the earlier blogs on this topic I wrote about several positive aspects of virtual racing, and Race Day planning is a big positive! With virtual races, we can curate the perfect race day experience for ourselves. Here are some things to consider while planning your race day:
The Date
Are you going to run on the originally scheduled race day or choose a different day? While it can be motivating to think of all the other virtual runners somewhere out there running their virtual race, there are many runners who opt to customize.
If running on THE day is important to you, by all means go for it! But don’t forget your options! Generally a race date can be moved up or pushed back by a week without too much adjustment to the training schedule. (For bigger deviations from the original date, the training plan would require more adjustments.) I encourage runners to dial in on a race date within ~3-4 weeks of the virtual race at the latest. When the race is on the calendar, it increases our focus on the goal.
Start Time
Pick a start time for your virtual race, or at least a starting window. Plan your schedule of the day in advance including drive time (if necessary). Of course, one of the great things about virtual racing is that you can be late or early to your own event, and I highly encourage some flexibility on race day. There’s no need to stress over hitting the start time to the minute! However, planning the start time in advance brings more focus and intentionality to race day.
In-person races are almost always scheduled in the morning which works well for most people. But all you night owls - it’s time to seize this moment! The ideal start time for a virtual race is the time that suits you best.
Announce Your Intention
Tell family and friends your race date and invite them to be part of your endeavour. Ask them to encourage you along the way, meet you at the finish, or check in with you later on to see how it went. Know some runner friends? See if someone will run with you for part of the way, or maybe the whole way! For runners who carry their phone: consider sharing your location with your supporters on race day so they can follow your dot!
Bringing others into your event adds excitement, accountability and motivation. This is an important way to make a virtual race special and memorable (and add a little pressure)!
Rain Date
If something unexpected comes up (illness, storms, family responsibilities, etc) I encourage all runners to consider their options. As your race day approaches check the forecast, consider your life schedule and evaluate your mental, physical and emotional health. Moving race day up or pushing it out by a day or two might be a great decision.
Adjusting the race date strategically is not a sign of weakness or breaking of a commitment. It is setting yourself up for success in every possible way.
Nicole Sifuentes is a full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. She is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.