Say Yes to Virtual Races
I’ve been hearing a lot of hate for virtual races lately so I am here today to give them some love!
As race cancellations and postponements continue for all the normal race events, it’s time to focus on the options we do have: virtual races, virtual challenges, or simply training.
Virtual Races
Virtual races are not meant to be regular races and it doesn’t make sense to compare a virtual race to a normal race. Virtual races are an entirely different and awesome experience.
From my perspective, a virtual race is essentially a “Time Trial” which is something I did many times as a professional runner. A time trial is one single effort over a set distance with the goal of racing the clock rather than racing competitors. For many recreational runners, this is the goal in normal races too.
Make it Special
For my time trials, I arranged for help from a pacer and invited other runners to run with me. I always had at least a few “spectators” (friends or acquaintances) come out to cheer me on. All of this was to help me perform well, add excitement and also add pressure. Time trials were nothing like a normal training run or even a hard workout, and this is how a virtual race should be approached as well.
Virtual races should be given special attention, advance planning and hype. A virtual race means committing to perform at a very high level (sometimes with a near-maximal effort) on race day.
If you’re interested in seeing a time trial performed, click to watch the video. You’ll notice the pacer, the teammates running with me, coach present and other voices cheering. This particular time trial was a short distance of only 1200m (3 laps) but virtual races or time trials can be any distance.
Payment is an Investment
I never paid or registered to run a time trial and similarly virtual races can be done for free at any time. On the other hand, registration for an event pays for a race t-shirt, finisher medal, and sometimes even helps support a good cause or charitable organization. What if you get a new PR? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a commemorative medal?
More importantly, payment means commitment and accountability. Paying for virtual events is not a scam or a waste of money. I firmly believe that payment is a great motivator in bringing out our best effort. (Please note: I am not connected to any virtual event or race.)
Virtual Challenges
A virtual challenge is a running event that stretches over days, weeks and months. Usually it means running a certain distance in a day, a week or month(s). These challenges are a great way to make a running commitment and bring focus to our training during the pandemic.
Again, these challenges can be set up and done anytime without paying a penny. But investment helps with commitment and there are many options that donate the profits to a good cause. I just recently registered for a virtual challenge I heard about on Instagram: 1 Million Miles for Justice. It’s a fundraiser and is also the kick in the pants I needed to get back on track (no pun intended) with my goal (which is to consistently run 25mpw).
Training
No goals, no races and no challenges? More months of just training? I know I’m not the only person whose motivation starts to nosedive without anything on the calendar. Why not just go for it?! 2020 is the year for virtual racing.
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.