104 Comments
Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I ran Virtual Full Marathon in my neighborhood vs Tomoka on 3-29 -2020. And I PR’d by 18 minutes.

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I haven’t run any virtual races but one thing I want to say is the importance of supporting already established races. I have race director friends and they say the growth of new virtual races has taken away from in person turned virtual races. They won’t be able to put on the in person events next year because of it. I never really thought about that!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I'm doing the Social Distance Run on May 23, which is Memorial Day Weekend. It is for a good cause, of course, the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Figure I if I can help, I will. It is a good way to stay motivated with the training plan and the online cheering on Facebook.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I signed up for the virtual Best Damn Race New Orleans. I love that series but never travel that far for a race (yet). Taking the virtual option reimburses the race organizers for the shirts, medals and other things they already have printed and can’t use next year maybe. I feel like it helps support the race and it keeps me motivated to run during tough times. (I don’t unpack the swag until I complete the race). BDR sent me my packet within a week of me signing up!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

In general a virtual race is not my thing. When it has a cause I am passionate about then I’m all for it. When it’s an in person race, cancelled because of this craziness that I previously paid for? Then yes of course that too. I understand refunding the money will basically ensure that race doesn’t exist next year. Competition produces your best results, that’s where you PR and don’t have to wonder if your garmin’s 3.11 was 3.01 or not. Races give you the opportunities to also try new products thanks to the sponsors. You lose a lot when it’s not in person. Otherwise virtual races are more of obtaining medals for our hangers in my opinion. No one actually wins a virtual, no ones results can truly be trusted to be accurate time or the distance....just one mans opinion.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I signed up for the Potty Paper 5K and 4 additional charms. My reason was that I wanted a medal to remember this time in our lives. A 5K was a good distance for me to do by myself. My time between and the first 5K and the fifth 5K went down 5 minutes. And, surprise!, I didn’t have a heart attack doing them.

There are local challenges on Facebook, like streak challenges, that I am doing as well. These Challenges keep me engaged and I have a competitive streak in me.

My favorite is the half and I look forward to when we can participate together again.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I will be doing my first virtual race on April 25th; the inaugural (and hopefully final) "Stay Home" half marathon. I signed up because I needed the motivation and the tagline on the shirt is a blast. I got to select my own bib number (042520)and once I turn in my time, I'll get the medal. I may or may not do other virtual races, but despite the somber aura of the world right now, I wanted a race to commemorate this time as a snapshot in history. And since I'm the only one running in my race, I'll be an elite and a back-of-packer at the same time! (LOL, LOL). Go figure!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Had hoped to run a race a month this year as a personal challenge. Once races started getting postponed and/or cancelled I had to take the challenge virtual. I really like RunMotivators and their virtual events as well as the fact that part of what they make is donated to a variety of charities. Yes, I am no longer registering for live races as I don’t want to risk paying for an event that ends up not taking place. However, my preference (and that of many runners I would hazard a guess) is to participate in live races. Live events will suffer in the short term but I believe there will be a pent up demand for them post pandemic and we will see registrations increase.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I ran my first virtual 10k last weekend to support a local race director. I did not wear the shirt while I ran in a local park, but did put the shirt and medal on to send a picture back to them. I had not run a virtual before and didn’t see the point of it. Now I feel it’s a good motivation to get out and keep moving and stay in shape for when we can get out again. And to support local race directors who probably already spent money on the event logistics, and who I’ll want to still be there when we get back to normal.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

i have always thought virtual races were kinda dumb. why am i gonna pay money to do something i am already doing on my regular running route. so i've never really been a fan. and thennnnnn....lol. this week a local organization is doing a virtual Donut Worry 5k. i love donuts and the shirt has a big donut on it so....i caved:)

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Thank you I’ll try strava tech support Let me know if you know other ways to confirm virtual race miles

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I've signed up for a few virtual races just to motivate me to run more than 3 miles on the weekends.

The biggest challenge is finding routes where it's easy enough to follow/there are sidewalks and you're not just running in the middle of traffic, and where you can maintain appropriate social distancing (all my usual routes on the trails/beaches/parks are closed, and LA is not exactly known as a pedestrian-friendly zone).

However, the biggest benefit is setting my own schedule. I don't think I've ever run an in-person race that started any later than 8 a.m. The "race" I ran last weekend I decided to start at 4 p.m., after sleeping in until noon and that was nice!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I've run two of them - the Allstate Hot Chocolate and the Another Mother Runner 10for10. Both were 10ks which I'm trying to keep as my base so I'm ready to ramp up for a half. It helps me to have something on the books. Nothing compares to the real thing, though!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Before this pandemic, I had never run a virtual race. But now, to keep motivated, it seems I have to. For 3 weeks now, I’ve signed up for a series of virtual runs that benefit food banks - if you choose to. Cost for the 5k each week is either FREE or $10 that goes to a different food bank every week. Info is here.... https://iwant2run.com/

Stay safe everyone!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I signed up for the Horsetooth Half, a race here in Colorado. It was cancelled as it was to be run on April 19th. I will run it virtually tomorrow here in Cripple Creek. I appreciate that it went virtual so that I could stay on track with my running and not just quit because it was cancelled. It is important for me to train for at least two races a year and the virtual platform at least gives me a goal to set and a reason to train.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I started out running Virtuals as a way to keep my motivation up when I didn’t have a race. I am actually organizing one with Huntsman Cancer Institute to help raise money for them.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I run virtual races pretty regularly, at least 2 per month, either from Gone for a Run or from A Better World Running. I have run several “live” races with A Better World Running in Santa Monica and had signed up for 5 or 6 at various distances this year; they have converted them to virtual and I’m doing those. Half Marathon this Sunday. I run a 5K neighborhood loop and have a bottle of water and some fuel on the front porch. As I complete each loop, I drink some water, have a snack if I need it and shed the clothes I don’t need. And I get a pretty medal! I don’t wear the bib while running, but put it on after for a pic.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I belong to Potterhead Running Club. Have for over 3 years. Supportive group and raises money for great causes through Charity Miles, a running app that tracks miles/steps and is supported financially by corporate sponsors. Best group for fun and #DOINGSOMUCHGOOD.

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Apr 12, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Oh you’re right! It was a 15k! I completely forgot. Great swag

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Apr 11, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

While I want to support race directors during this crisis, virtual runs feel like I'm paying for swag while out doing my normal weekly long run. I'm a lover of all things involving the community aspect of running so I struggle mentally with a a solo race. I'd rather just make a donation to the race cause and skip the swag.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

First Virtual race was for the Colorado Marathon that was to be May 3. Ran it on Sunday (also my first 1/2 that I trained for to run. Harder than I expected. But I have walked a few with my mom- so I did absolute love that we could pick a day that was nice, our own starting time with no early morning freezing wait, and we chose a canal road so NO traffic. Did miss the excitement of the people, the pre-post event fun and the fun little freebies. BUT I am excited for the medal. It will forever be a remembrance of why we had to do a virtual race in the first place (and this virus didn’t take away everything!!!)

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have a Fitbit and IPhone I heard you must have Strava to do a virtual race and it isn’t compatible with my phone Help how do you confirm the distance with the virtual race director Deb Running Happy in TX

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I think it is a good time for a "do it yourself" solo (or with a running buddy) race. Pretend you are the race director, where would you think it is really cool to have a half or full? Then go run it. By definition, this will probably be out away from traffic, a mountain run, a beach run, a trail run. Measure it on Google earth (that is very accurate) and go do it. Next winter, the races will be back. I can already see in our area, people have had enough of being locked up. (I ran 4.5 and biked 12 this morning.) So many people are out, and starting to be a lot of cars again too. Regardless of what the politicians say, the people are "voting with their feet".

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I run virtual races all the time...mostly they are for a cause, one I ran was for Australia through badass running. I ran a virtual race for 100th year of National Parks, etc.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

For the Social Distancing 6K (https://www.letsdothis.com/us/e/social-distancing-6k-187564) participants will be able to upload a link to their strava workout to validate the results they report. Of course there is no way to account for different course and weather conditions at least we have Strava to help verify the submission.

Check out the medal and the shirt at the link and sign up to reserve one for yourself.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

First virtual race I ran was Marathon Training Academy 2018 and 2019 because liked their swag, and ran them the same day I had another race , two for one, now I am opting for the virtual to the races that I signed up for if offered, and signed up for another one I heard about because wanted to support the RD and their cool swag that was offered, and couldn’t travel to the west coast to run it anyway , so will continue to search for virtual if this continues, love to train for a race

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I ran a virtual 50 miler. It was my first Ultra. The event was a substitute for the in-person event. I liked that I could follow through on my commitment. I liked the feedback and encouragement from the Race Director. I liked being part of something. I did not like the lack of energy for me on race day, and running it alone. The last 10 miles were tough. I do not think virtual races will replace in-person races when things normalize.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I ran the Modesto 1/2 virtually. I miss running with people.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I’m loving the virtual races given all races for which I've registered through June have been cancelled. 2 I’ll do virtual and I’ve registered for other virtuals. I have NO intention of not going back to live races once they can be held again. I have 3 half marathons scheduled for later in the year and will be at all three, in person, if they are held as scheduled.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I‘ve run several times the AppRun ‚Wings for Life‘. Worldwide .Very nice.

https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/de

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have not run a virtual race, but now I am scheduled to run two in the next month. Should be interesting. I am trying to decide whether to run on a track in order to make sure my distance is 100% accurate. However, this might get way too tedious.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I completed the runDisney Star Wars virtual half, earlier in the year. The medal is Chewbacca inspired. Love it! The wife and I are doing a couple of others, which were converted from regular to virtual.

Opinions vary when it comes to virtual races, but for those regular races which have been cancelled and they offer a virtual option, it's a great way to support the race organizers and the charities supported.

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I signed up for the Marine Corps 17.75K in Virginia on March 28, 2020. It was cancelled but it became my first virtual run since I have been running. I liked the fact that I did it at my convenience, without pressure and very close to my home. I missed the crowds and the enthusiasm of the group. I did not have the opportunity to meet other runners and take part in all the festivities associated with the event. I already received my bib number, the shirt and medal. Also, I am already signed up for their marathon on October 25, 2020. It was a great experience for me.

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have never run a virtual race. I am at the end of April though & will let you know!

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Apr 10, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Super cute metal, is that a Disney run?

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Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k virtual run. The swag is the reason. Love the jacket and it comes with chocolate (and a medal) :-)

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Hi Terrell and friends,

So far, I’ve done two real races turned virtual and have three more to do by the end of May. I haven’t signed up for any purely (normally) virtual races yet, but I’m considering one for June.

The thing for me that I’m able to work from home full time now, and I don’t have the 2• hour daily commute. So I have time to train and time to run now that I don’t have in normal times.

I do miss swapping stories with other runners in the starting corrals, though. That’s the biggest downside for me.

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Wanted to add a picture but couldn't.

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I thought I was done with running in the cold and snow but I was wrong after yesterday. I had blowing and drifts of 4 to 6 inches I was running through. I got 4 miles in and felt good after my run.

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I have run a few in the past and ran 2 so far during this pandemic. It gets me moving, which I like, but I miss the closeness of community when running a live race. It is what it is and I’m glad I have something to motivate me.

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I have I phone 8 purchased June. 2019 and I have Fitbit watch

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I’ve done virtual races and really enjoyed feeling like i was pushing against myself. The solitude was actually refreshing. I still look forward to organized races too

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If you're looking for something different, check out the cool virtual opportunities at RealBuzz! https://www.realbuzz.com/virtual-events/

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