Disclaimer: I received a complimentary virtual race entry. I was not compensated financially for my participation in this virtual race. As always, all opinions are my own.
This past Friday-Sunday Gone for a Run hosted their most recent virtual race in their race series, the Road Shark Virtual 5 Mile Race. Since I had a 12 miler on tap for my half marathon training, I debated whether I wanted to devote five miles of Saturday’s long run to the virtual race. However, I felt that by doing so I might be “cheating” the idea of a virtual race, and decided to complete my virtual race separately from my long run.
Since I wound up taking an unplanned rest day last week, and my right calf has been bothering me a bit (I’m attributing this to wearing worn out running shoes far past their life, but I started breaking in a new pair of shoes last week), I decided to power walk the race instead of running it. This presented an opportunity for some extra cross training on Friday, and a great warm up to my long run on Saturday.
Because of the high heat and humidity on Friday, I headed to the gym to complete the race on the treadmill. Like with other long cardio sessions at the gym, I brought along my trusty iPad so that I could watch a couple old episodes of the Amazing Race while I power walked. This was a great way to stay motivated and focused, and helped to have the miles fly by.
I successfully power walked my five miles in 1:11:26 (14:17 min/mile pace). I must admit, I was able to maintain a much faster pace than I originally anticipated. Although the baby is starting to slow me down some, I underestimated my ability to still keep up a good pace.
After I completed the race, I awarded myself my race medal. Although it was a bit awkward to put my medal on at the gym, you can’t complete a race without proudly showing off your bling!
Thanks again Gone for a Run for hosting another fun virtual race. Once again, participating in the race was a great way to motivate myself to squeeze in a couple of extra miles last week. When’s the next virtual race? 🙂
QOTD: How do you motivate yourself to stay active when its hot and humid outside?
Nice job! It is really hard to get motivated when it’s hot and humid. Having a running partner helps me get out the door. We can be miserable together, but we are also accountable for each other.
There’s a lot of value in a partner for that very reason.
I ran this one too!!! I love that you power walked it!!! Great job girl!
Thanks Mindy!
Great job! I have read a few virtual race recaps adn it looks like a great one! 🙂
It most definitely was!
I definitely would take it to the treadmill if its too hot outside. Otherwise the run is just miserable. Love that you proudly displayed your medal in the gym.
And nobody has time to be miserable!
That’s a great pace for walking on the treadmill! I love my Ipad for treadmill and elliptical workouts. I’ve definitely binge watched a couple shows that way.
Me too.
I love virtual races and it’s great that you are modifying your workouts so that you can keep going. Nice!
Thanks Deborah!
That’s a great medal!
I managed 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday after getting caught in a crazy hail storm on my way home from work. The treadmill isn’t my favourite, but the run needed to get done.
And sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.
That’s a good power walk pace! I do 2/3 of my weekly runs on the treadmill to avoid the heat and give my legs a break from the high impact. I try to do all my long runs outside, but in the summer that means waking up before the sun gets too hot!
Good for you! I hate waking up early on the weekends, which sometimes means that I’m running in slightly warmer than preferred temps.
I try to get up as early as possible to beat the heat… doesn’t always work but I try to remind myself getting my workout in early will be much easier than waiting until later in the day to try!
Most definitely!
It’s been ages since I did a virtual race. I have always had fun with them though.
They’re definitely a lot of fun!
Nice job! I loved this one. Next up, Sole Sisters in August! How appropriate… 😀
And I think I got an e-mail about that one today. 🙂
Oo this was one of past #fitmyth Twitter chat topics, for me having cute work out shorts is motivating and also spicing things up so adding more water sports and weight training as opposed to running in the sun. Thanks for sharing!
Cute workout clothes always helps keep me motivated too.
Great job! I love virtual races and that medal is pretty awesome!
Yes it is!
you are amazing! i’m so motivated by your successes in keeping active while pregnant. you are an inspiration!!
Aww thanks Courtney!
I love that you awarded yourself your medal at the gym! I’m getting so tired of the heat and humidity, but I’m just trying to keep my eyes on the prize!
Netflix is what keeps me on the treadmill!! It’s the only time I have to catch up on shows, so I actually look forward to it!
Way to go! I can’t powerwalk lol. I actually just cannot walk fast. Fastest I can set the treadmill to walk is like 3.8 and I’m already huffing and puffing then haha. Nice job!
That is actually a really cute medal, so fun!
Great job on your virtual race! I have never tried a virtual race before, I may have to give one of those a try sometime!
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