'Starting a marathon by yourself is weird... when you're ready, you just go'; plus in-person races you might love in California, Colorado, Connecticut + South Carolina
I too ran my first Virtual Marathon, and it was the same Boston Virtual. This was the first time I qualified at age 65 last September so I may never get to compare it to the real thing, but Carissa describes the feeling down to a tee. When it was all said and done, we have only ourselves to push us to do our best and to know what we are capable. I got to the finish line which was my front door. The feeling of accomplishment was still very much there!
I had an extremely strained gluteus maximus from overuse this summer and was unable to run as the week came up and was but I strategized a mix of running and walking and was still able to finish in the same time I finished 2 marathons 10 years ago! Thank you for your kind wishes and congratulations!
I also live in the south... Leesburg Florida. I run 95% of the days rain or shine. Trying to squeeze out five to six miles in the mid nineties can be daunting but with a book on tape playing in my ears it makes it bearable... I long for the winter months where on an early Sunday morning I can do my long runs and also dream about the marathons I've done in the past but at 71 there aren't going to be anymore PR's... I love to run and that about says it all......
You captured exactly how I felt this past Saturday at my first "VIRTUAL" half marathon. Normally we would have been up at 3:30 am to get on the bus by 4:30 am and head up Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah to run all the way back down the beautiful canyon. It was a bit challenging mentally as you said, but we just ran, one step at a time, being grateful I could run. Thank you for your inspiring story and congrats!
Awesome. This year I ran two virtual marathons: one "official", completely on the trail. It was 4:05 and ran with a friend. Last weekend in Lithuania, where I live, took place Vilnius marathon. In this marathon with the crowd ran the same friend from the previous virtual marathon, so before the official start, I sent him a selfie with a running outfit and message "It will be much easier to know you are not alone" and completed solo 42.2 km in 3:40 while he finished 3:54. Solo marathon is very nice form of meditation.
I too ran my first Virtual Marathon, and it was the same Boston Virtual. This was the first time I qualified at age 65 last September so I may never get to compare it to the real thing, but Carissa describes the feeling down to a tee. When it was all said and done, we have only ourselves to push us to do our best and to know what we are capable. I got to the finish line which was my front door. The feeling of accomplishment was still very much there!
Oh wow, I do hope you get to do the real thing! Congrats on your finish. 💙💛
I had an extremely strained gluteus maximus from overuse this summer and was unable to run as the week came up and was but I strategized a mix of running and walking and was still able to finish in the same time I finished 2 marathons 10 years ago! Thank you for your kind wishes and congratulations!
Sorget 71... I hope to still be running at 81!!!!
I also live in the south... Leesburg Florida. I run 95% of the days rain or shine. Trying to squeeze out five to six miles in the mid nineties can be daunting but with a book on tape playing in my ears it makes it bearable... I long for the winter months where on an early Sunday morning I can do my long runs and also dream about the marathons I've done in the past but at 71 there aren't going to be anymore PR's... I love to run and that about says it all......
I can't speak for everyone, but I think for many of us the dream is to be running at 71.
What a beautifully written article Carissa! It actually brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing your experience and congrats!
Thank you for your kind words Melissa! 🥰
It brought me to tears too. Running....Boston....big challenges....big accomplishments. Loved your article Carissa
Thank you so much Lynne!
Really enjoyed this Carissa! I’m planning to do the MCM virtually in a few weeks. I’m sure it’ll be strange, but special in its way. Thanks!
Awesome, I hope you have a great 26.2! MCM is definitely on my to do list.
You captured exactly how I felt this past Saturday at my first "VIRTUAL" half marathon. Normally we would have been up at 3:30 am to get on the bus by 4:30 am and head up Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah to run all the way back down the beautiful canyon. It was a bit challenging mentally as you said, but we just ran, one step at a time, being grateful I could run. Thank you for your inspiring story and congrats!
Congrats on getting it done! Kind of like 2020, just one step at a time. ❤
In what park did you run your marathon? It looks familiar (Chattahoochee Pointe Park?).
That's the one!!
Awesome. This year I ran two virtual marathons: one "official", completely on the trail. It was 4:05 and ran with a friend. Last weekend in Lithuania, where I live, took place Vilnius marathon. In this marathon with the crowd ran the same friend from the previous virtual marathon, so before the official start, I sent him a selfie with a running outfit and message "It will be much easier to know you are not alone" and completed solo 42.2 km in 3:40 while he finished 3:54. Solo marathon is very nice form of meditation.
How cool is that?! Impressive finishing times, by the way!
This is moderately cool :) My PB is 3:25 and my dream is 2:59 I hope I can have enough training someday and fulfil my dreams.
Love this! Good luck in your training for sub-3.