Top Ten Tips for Virtual Race Success
In June of 2020, Coach Katie from our Elmhurst location ran her first “Virtual Grandma’s Marathon”. Along the way, she learned some new & valuable lessons that she hopes will help you if you’re going to be stepping up to the virtual start line of your own race. Best of luck to you and don’t forget to enjoy the journey!
Treat the week before the race just like you would if you were running a real race. Hydrate, eat well, get to bed a little earlier each night.
Continue with your regular race rituals. Whatever you would do before a regular race, do before this. Lay out your clothes the night before. Have your meals planned out for the night before, the morning of and after the race. Keep as much as you can the same to give you “the race feel” leading up to the big day.
Make it important. Doing little things like laminating your bib will help you treat this like more than another Saturday long run. Buy new socks or shorts for the virtual event. If you would normally take the Friday before the Chicago Marathon off of work - take off the day before your virtual race.
Ask for help. Reach out to friends and family to cheer for you on the course or to set up a mini-water station. People will gladly help you with this amazing feat.
Take advantage of being at home. When have you ever done a race that starts potentially in your driveway? Make your favorite pre-race dinner at home. Enjoy sleeping in your own bed! Sleep-in the day of - but be sure you have enough time to eat and digest.
Bring some extras to your mental tool kit. Remember all of your mantras, your little tricks like - breaking the race into 5 - 5 mile races and then a 1.2. And try something new like making a list of 26 people - each of whom you will dedicate one of your miles to. Carry that list with you and pull it out when necessary.
To race or not to race. Make the decision if you are going to treat this like another training run or if you are going to “race” your course.
Have a bathroom plan! (Don’t laugh - you might need it!) It’s not as easy to pop into a Starbucks to go to the bathroom anymore mid-run. If you are fortunate to run near park district buildings, you will likely have access to bathrooms. Not comfortable with public bathrooms, plan to loop near your house or a friend or family member where you and they are comfortable.
Take time to reflect at mile 25. At mile 25 or so, if you are running with friends, ask them to to give you a minute or two. Take some time to reflect on the journey that has led you to this virtual marathon. Think about how far you have come both physically and mentally.
Have fun! Less that 1% of the population has completed a marathon and I’m pretty sure the percentage that has completed a virtual marathon is much smaller than that. Enjoy every moment of this amazing adventure - the good, the bad and the ugly. Take it all in and have a great time!