Runs cancelled during COVID-19 pandemic, virtuals popping up everywhere

With the threat of the Corona virus still looming over us and quarantines and social distancing becoming our new normal, getting in a workout is a bit of a challenge for many.  Going to the gym isn't an option, but hitting the streets for a walk or run is still possible for most people.

With races all over the world being cancelled, many race directors are either rescheduling, offering a deferred entry for next year's race, or giving the entrant the option to run it virtually.  There are even separate virtual runs popping up everywhere with crazy-cool medals for entrants.  There are plenty of sites that offer virtual race swag, and a favorite is Run Motivators, where you can get in on some action with the Potty Paper Race 5K.  Yes, the medal looks like a roll of toilet paper running down the road.  There's even an option to order up to 4 charms to hang on the larger medal, so that's five chances for you to challenge yourself and wear that virtual potty paper around your neck  proudly (I'm still running most every morning, so of course I ordered all the charms too).

Gone for a Run also has some pretty awesome medals up for grabs, and check out Peak Virtual Races if you'd like to take it a step further and support a charity with your efforts.  There are plenty of other virtual races that are as near as your keyboard, so do a quick search and see what piques your interest.

Don't have the money to sign up for the virtual medals with the fancy swag?  Come up with your own! If you usually run with friends or a running club, pick a theme for your own virtual race.  Cut up some cardboard or card stock and get creative with markers and stickers to make a medal, and don't forget race bibs!  Take it a step further and encourage dressing up to fit your theme, and have a contest for the best costume, most creative medal, etc., instead of  just awards for fastest pace.  Everyone can win!

Being stuck in quarantine doesn't necessarily mean stuck inside, so just be careful to follow social distancing and other protocols during the pandemic, and get out there and move.  I am.

~ Marie Anne

2020 Running/Walking/Fitness Challenges - Run the Year 2020

So ... I've mentioned a couple of challenges in passing, and probably should share some of the details.

The first challenge I signed up for this year was the Run the Year 2020 Challenge hosted by Run the Edge.  The goal is to run (or walk, or other equivalent activity) 2,020 miles in the year 2020.  Because of past/current and the potential for future injuries, the majority of my miles will be accumulated by walking.  There are few rules, and you can choose to count all of your daily steps, or just your intentional workout miles.  You can also join a team with up to four other participants.

I signed up for the whole package with some great swag!  It included a t-shirt, finisher's medal, challenge coin, a couple of stickers, and a cool chart where you color in a spot for each mile.  You can sync your Fitbit or sport watch tracker, and also add or edit your mileage manually, and the site tracks all of your stats.

I get a good chunk of steps in daily by dedicated walking around the house, but it's often not enough to bother starting my watch to track it.  Since those really are additional steps, I'm counting all of my daily Fitbit steps towards the main goal of 2,020 miles by December 31 (an average of 5.5 daily miles ... easy peasy, and I'm already well ahead of the game), but I'm also keeping track of my intentional workout miles to see just how far I can go with that (I'm pushing for at least 1,500 miles, which would be an average of just over 4 miles per day, and I've banked some extra there already too).

Another participant gifted me her coloring chart and I'm using that to visually track my dedicated workout miles.

There is a Facebook group for the main RTY2020 challenge, as well as groups for individual demographics such as walkers, marathoners, those doing it for weight loss, etc, and also one for each state so you could even meet up with others in your area if you crave more than virtual motivation.  It's fun and encouraging to interact with and support other crazy like-minded  people who are taking this journey with you.

In additional to the main challenge, you can also sign up for six additional streaker challenges throughout the year, and I'll cover those in another blog post.

RTY2020 might have been the first challenge to spark my interest this year, but it seems to have started a fire.  Follow along to hear about the rest of the goals I'm striving to meet with other challenges.

~ Marie Anne

Are you doing any challenges this year?  Tell me about them!