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Do you have a virtual race coming up? Or are you thinking about running one?? Here’s how to show up and truly run your BEST Race. This is part 2 in our series about Virtual Races. If this’s your first time listening or you missed it – check out the previous episode for 7 Steps to Get Ready for a Virtual Race podcast 123. It’ll help you train and prepare for the distance.

Say ‘Hi!’ and chime in sharing your run for today with @RunEatRepeat on Instagram 

Get the 7 Tips Checklist on RunEatRepeat.com

Today we’re talking about how to RUN YOUR BEST VIRTUAL RACE. And to get started – let’s warm up!

Warm Up:

Since this is part 2 of the Virtual Race series we’ll keep the warm up quick…
2 things:

1. What are you training for? Chime in on this @RunEatRepeat Instagram post!

If you’re already registered and training for a race – please chime in on yesterday’s IG post with which race so everyone in the community can help support and encourage each other.

Bonus: It’ll help you stay accountable!!

2. Changing my Long Run Day!

I’ve decided to change my long run day to mid-week. This might seem like no big deal but, I’ve been running long on the weekends, usually Saturday for 10 years now. I feel like I’m so trained to have that as a long run day it’s going to make me dizzy and confused – like I have a sorta jet lag, but for running??

I’ve tried to change my long run to Fridays in the past and it never really stuck. But I’m giving it another try because with the COVID19 social distancing rules and restrictions – a lot of public parks and paths have been closed for months. Now that they’re opening up and people have serious quarantine fatigue – it seems like there are more people out taking walks and on bikes on the weekends.

As someone who has run weekdays and weekends in the same areas I’m running now for years  – I’ve noticed there are a lot more people out walking. I think that’s great!

But, even though these places are open for activity we’re still supposed to keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet. That’s sometimes impossible when there are a lot of people out. And there are a lot of different rules about face coverings depending on the area.

It seems like the most common rule is – if you’ll be in a situation where other people will be closer than 6 feet from you – you should wear a mask. So I’d definitely rather avoid having to wear a mask to run if it’s safe to do so and running on a day that will have less people around is a good idea for me right now.
I’m not saying any of this to tell you how or when to run – do what’s best for you. And I realize not everyone can change up their long run day.

I have the freedom to switch this up because I work from home and don’t have a partner or kids to consider into this mix. I’m sharing this because I think it’s going to be sooooooo weird and I feel like I’m about to try and switch my routine in a way that’s going to feel like I’m trying to make myself nocturnal or something. I think I’m on the spectrum of some anxiety situation because change like this (or any change actually)  makes me very anxious. [1 minor example: I refused to go to my 8th grade graduation because I was having a complete meltdown about the change, even though 86% of my friends were going to HS with me.]

It’s weird, I know.

Luckily running helps me feel better…

Question: What day is your long run? Chime in on Instagram @RunEatRepeat 

 

7 Tips to RUN you BEST Virtual Race

7 Tips to RUN Your BEST Virtual Race – You Can also listen to the tips on the Run Eat Repeat Podcast episode 124.

And I created a checklist you can screenshot or print out – for an easy way to double check that you’re hitting every one.
This is Part 2 in the podcast series about virtual races.

If you want the steps to get ready for a virtual race listen to the previous episode – Run Eat Repeat Podcast 123

If you don’t know what a Virtual Race is or just want more info start here: What’s a Virtual Race and How Do You Run One? 

How to Run your BEST Virtual Race

1.Treat the race like a RACE. 

Your results are directly related to your hard work. We’re told over and over that running is 80% mindset and 20% physical training – so it’s important that you think about it like an officially timed race. You have to respect the distance and do the work if yoy want to walk away knowing you really gave it your best effort. [Take it seriously. Prepare and Train like it’s a race. Tell people about it. Do the work.]

2. Plan the Race – Day/Time and Route.

If possible – make it a route where the finish line is somewhere fun/note-able.  Be sure it’s the right distance and that it’s clear to run. Check the elevation if necessary. Drive the route, run it or bike it if needed. Once it’s all set – tell people about it. If your family or friends are usually spectators – share this with them and ask them to meet you at the finish (if possible) or check on you after.

Bonus: draw the finish line the night before with chalk.Plan out your race day route.

3. Prepare for Race Day head to toe.

Do all your usual pre-race rituals. Lay out your clothes the night before. Grab your lucky charm. Do you usual pre-race routines. Do a visualization exercise. Remind yourself of your positive mantras and all the training you’ve done.

4. Create a Race Playlist.

If you don’t listen to music while running – a playlist to pump you up and get you excited while you’re getting ready can help too!

5. Fuel Up Smart! Prepare your body to run it’s best race by giving it enough food and hydration leading up to the race. Fuel yourself like an athlete. Fuel your body to run strong and feel good. Make sure you’re eating and drinking what you need to have the best race both the night before and day of.

6. Bring hydration & fuel

Plan what you’re going to eat and drink during the race. Make sure you have it on hand. And plan out hydration and/or fuel stops along the route.

Since you’re running a virtual race – you won’t have the perk of aid stations like in traditional races. So you have to plan how/when/where you’ll get fuel and hydration. Here are some tips on how to eat and drink during a virtual race.

Bonus: This tips also work for long training runs!

Virtual Race Hydration and Fuel options:

• Carrying everything you need. This probably requires a handheld water bottle, fuel belt or hydration pack and running fuel in your pockets or in the belt.
• Carrying fuel and hydration AND planning to refill along the route OR doing an out and back so you can stop back home or your car to refill.
• Getting fuel and hydration along the way. Plan and prep whatever you’re going to eat & drink to be ready and easy to grab and go during a quick pit-stop. You may be able to do this by stopping back at home, your car or a neighbor’s house (give them the fuel before so you don’t just show up asking for a banana at 7am out of the blue). Another option is to bring money and run into a store to buy a drink and food (I suggest a slurpee from 7-11!! Go big.).

7. DO YOUR BEST.

Do your best. DO YOUR BEST. Read that again and tell yourself over and over leading up to the race and during the race. You are here to do your best with what you have today.

Show up. Push yourself. No ‘do-overs’. This is the race you’ve been training for – give it everything you’ve got that day.

My Favorite Running Fuel Belts, Water-Bottles and Fuel:

• Clif Shot Energy Gel – Variety Pack
• Clif Shot Blocks Energy Chews – Variety Pack
• Margarita Shot Blocks
• Nathan Handheld Soft Flask 18oz 
• Women’s Running Nathan Waistpack (fuel belt)
• Men’s Running Nathan Waistpack

 

Today’s Awards:

1st Place: Watermelon. My #1 all time favorite food is in season and I’m buying all of them so this is your head’s up.

*If you haven’t seen it before… watch my How to Cut a Watermelon video – it’s super fast and easy!!

2nd Place: Scissors – they’re cheap and I’ve decided to put them everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

3rd Place: Soda Stream

Show notes and more information are on RunEatRepeat.com

Check in with your workout for today and tag @RunEatRepeat on Instagram so we can connect!

If you have any questions or topic requests – email or DM @RunEatRepeat on instagram!

If you have some time – please rate and review this show. It really helps and I really appreciate it.

Thanks for listening! Have a great one!

Question: What day is your long run? Chime in on Instagram @RunEatRepeat 

More Tips for Running Virtual Races: 

• How to Stay Motivated & Train for a Virtual Race – Podcast 123 (part 1 of Virtual Race series)
• What’s a Virtual Race and How Do You Run One?

 

Keep Going with these: 

• June Workout Calendar for Runners free printable 
• 4 Minute Standing Core Workout for Runners
• What to do if your race is cancelled 
• How to Cut a Watermelon tutorial

 

Follow @RunEatRepeat on Instagram to connect daily, get motivated and stay accountable!

You can get more Running Tips, Training Plans, Recipes and more on RunEatRepeat.com