is latest to hit the scene: It’s a September race where teams will have 31 hours and 15 minutes to run as many miles as they can, relay-style, on any route they want, anywhere in the world. I’m already signed up for this, because the race takes place on a friend’s birthday, and this is how she wants to celebrate—by relay-racing virtually with me and four other women.Before trying a relay, however, I had to race this Brooklyn Mile.
This lesson is simple: Unlike in traditional racing, no one shuts down your virtual race route for you—so scope it out in advance.I wound up on a flat paved trail and jogged a mile down to find some “landmarks”: a trail marker at about 400 meters, an orange traffic sign near 1200 meters, and an open fence gate at the “finish” would have to do. Then I did some drills to get loose, lined up behind a crack in the pavement, and ran as hard as I could.
I had hoped that seeing my chosen trail markers would be enough to get me to “dig.” Unfortunately, without other runners nearby, my adrenaline refused to surge. When I finally glimpsed my finish-line fence up ahead, I tried to pretend an old man walking nearby was a competitor, but he was already past my finish line, and he was. Finally I reached that fence... but, thanks to GPS verification for results, I had to keep running until my watch beeped.
The lesson? In traditional racing the course is measured for you. In virtual racing you must be a slave to your watch. Be prepared and don’t let up until you hear that beep.When I got home, I still needed to upload my result. In anticipation of this task, I had restarted my watch for each part of my run—the
Entered a couple to support a cause. Truly miss race day experience—just another training run.
We appreciate the attempt to motivate but it's simply not the same as an actual race. The energy of the crowd, the sights, the sounds... Likewise the ability to connect to others virtually exists but it can never replace in person gatherings.
I enjoy them. Get some swag & they do motivate me to run. Little goals along the way to a big one.
Don’t like it
I don't. Think about it, that is. To me virtual racing is just going for a run, it adds nothing other than the additional work/expense to sign up.
It serves no real purpose for me as a runner. It may be leaning towards the organizers side of benefits. I honestly wouldn't, on any day, pay money to continue my own training.
I really can’t get motivated by them at all. I’d like to but I can’t. I’ll just set my own personal challenges/goals to keep me motivated. I’m pleased for other runners who can get something out of them though.
👎🏼
I have to pay to read online articles?
Better than no racing!
I really don’t understand the point of virtual races.
davenport_lorna
Not a fan, really. Have done a couple for a cause. Four races this calendar year that went virtual I opted for a refund of race fee. For me, the race day experience and fan fare I value and minus that I'll just cont. My running/training for later dates.
Those who are competing with the same few people may enjoy it. But without the fun and encouragement of other runners on the race course there's no benefit. My GPS can tell me about my progress.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Virtual Venture Capital Panel and Pitch NightDownToDash presents a virtual night of networking & learning from Venture Capitalists. Our CEO Just_Kate will be one of the panelists!
Source: Women 2.0 - 🏆 149. / 63 Read more »
Source: YahooNews - 🏆 380. / 59 Read more »
Source: NBCNews - 🏆 10. / 86 Read more »
Source: trtworld - 🏆 101. / 63 Read more »
Source: ELLE Magazine (US) - 🏆 472. / 51 Read more »