It seems that virtual races have continued into the new year, and probably are not going away any time soon. I believe there are many benefits to virtual races. Not everyone loves them, but most runners have done at least one since the time when in-person races started getting cancelled last spring. Preparing for a virtual race may be a little different than what you are used to, so I am going to share some ideas to help you plan and train appropriately.
Make sure you check out my announcement and giveaway at the end of this post!
6 Tips for Preparing for a Virtual Race
1. Choose your virtual race wisely
Will you be registering for an “organized” virtual race, or just doing your own? Or maybe your in-person race has gone virtual and you have options like deferring, getting a refund or running virtually.
As you plan out your virtual race consider when you will run it and factor in the weather. How much time will you need to train? Do you have some flexibility to do it over the course of a few days or weeks? One of the benefits to virtual races is flexibility, so make sure it will work for you.
Make sure you are choosing a distance that is appropriate. This is a good time to try out shorter races if you usually do longer runs. Most runners find it is easier to run a 5k virtually than a half-marathon.
2. Set a goal
Even if you don’t consider your virtual race a “real race” (some people do, and others don’t!) it can still be really helpful to set a goal. Remember that your goal does not need to be a PR. Consider your current fitness and what a reasonable goal is given the time you have to train. Or you can make the decision to just do the race for fun.
3. Follow a training plan
It’s important to have a plan, even if it’s a loose plan. If you are already running regularly, can cover the race distance, and are doing the race just for fun, you will probably be just fine. If you want to try to get faster or run longer distances make sure you are structuring your workouts appropriately to avoid injury or burnout.
Check out my training and racing resources!
4. Work on your mental strategies
Mental strategies may be even more important in a virtual race than in an in-person race. Things like visualization, positive self-talk, and creating a mantra can help you prepare for when the race gets challenging. Practice these things in training and leading up to your virtual race for them to be the most effective.
5. Prepare for your virtual race
Map out where you will run and plan for how you will take fuel and water. Set out all your gear the night before. Make sure all your electronics are charged. Make sure you try out any new gear before the day of your virtual race!
6. Seek out support
The hardest part of virtual racing may be the lack of support, both in training and during the race. But it doesn’t need to be that way! Find people to “train” with you virtually. You can also consider having family or friends cheer you on during your race. The Instagram running community is great place to get daily support during training.
Want more help preparing for a virtual race?
I’m so excited to share that I have put together a virtual race package that includes everything you need to prepare for your virtual race. I created a 16 page guide with training plans for the 5k, 10k, and half-marathon, checklists, goal-setting templates, and more! With the purchase of the virtual race guide you also get weekly motivational E-mails for 12 weeks, access to the Mile by Mile Virtual Racing Facebook group, and a 15 minute coaching call that can be used any time within 6 months of purchasing the guide. You also have the option to upgrade and get an individualized training plan!
You can learn more about the Virtual Race Resource Guide here or check out my FAQ page.
Or your can buy the guide right here!
You may also like:
Can You Set a New PR in a Virtual Race?
How Not To Run A Virtual Half-Marathon
Why It’s Important To Have a Virtual Running Community
Are you running any virtual races this year?
What is the biggest challenge of virtual racing for you?
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs , and Laura Norris Running to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
What a great idea to create a guide for virtual racing!
I’m sure a number of points can be helpful even when in-person races start to happen again.
Well done!
Yes, definitely! And I think we can learn so much by training and racing on our own.
These points are so important especially when you want to take the virtual race seriously. The virtual races I’ve actually prepared for have been the most enjoyable for me. Of course, not the same like an in-person race but I found them rewarding on a personal level. Those I didn’t prepare for didn’t feel as rewarding.
They can definitely be rewarding in a different way! It takes alot to be able to push yourself when you’re not in a live racing environment.
I did quite a few virtual races last year. Initially, I enjoyed them but as the year went on, my enthusiasm waned. Doing the race on the actual course, like I did in January when my trail race went virtual, was definitely a great alternative. It was a lot of fun, too!
I wish there were more race options like that! I feel like around here we have had very limited options (nothing close by). Hopefully that will change in a few months.
I keep saying that I am done with virtual races and yet I keep doing them! I needed some motivation in the winter to keep getting out there. Sounds like you have some great resources coming out!
For me I think it’s helped to spread them out alot. I did a bunch last spring and then one every few months. Now I’m trying to find a day to do my 5k in between all the snow!
Oh yes, virtually racing is here to stay, even if it decreases as in-person races return. A lot of the ones I did last year, were done more for fun than anything. The ones that I did run “seriously,” though were a lot more challenging than I’d anticipated because I had to create the “race course” and then act as the crowd support and timer while running the race itself.
There’s alot to do when you’re running a race alone! I didn’t take mine as seriously as an in-person races, but a few of them I ran pretty hard.
Working on mental strategies is the most important one for me. Staying motivated and focused without an “in-person” race on the calendar is tough. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Yes, definitely! It can be so challenging to push yourself when you’re not around other runners or in a race environment.
These are great tips, especially working on a mental strategies. It can be hard to run a race without crowds or other runners so a strong mental game is key!
So true! Mental strategies are so important even in regular races, but when you’re racing alone you really need those skills to keep you going.
Impressive package, Lisa! I have to admit when it comes to the course for virtual races, I will think about it — but I still just wing it on “race” day.
I do think it’s always important to train for the distance, whether you plan to race or not — otherwise you can get injured, and that’s definitely no fun.
Yes, definitely! It seems like 5ks are the most popular virtual race distance, which makes sense because that is a manageable distance to train for alone.
If you asked me to define myself by the type of distance I love, I’d tell you I’m a half marathoner. That said, I will not do a virtual half. Just can’t get my head there.
I love this idea as I think virtuals are a key part of a racing strategy even when we get back to “normal”. I think of times when I ‘m training for a Half and might not be able to find a 10K locally that wroks.
It’s really tough to do a half-marathon virtually. It’s not at all the same as doing a live one! But last year in March I said I wouldn’t do a virtual half and now I’ve done two. I even considered doing a virtual full, but I don’t think I have it in me!
I’m hoping to only do in person races this year but great tips nonetheless.
I totally get that! I hope there are some live races you can do this year!
These are all great. I tend to just treat virtual races as a training run, but it would be fun to bring a little more pomp and circumstance to them.
Can’t wait to see your guide!
They can be great to just do as a training run! I think what’s nice about them is you can really do them in whatever way makes sense to you, and you don’t have much to lose.
I’m really bad about training for a virtual race. I use them as a run. I just need a crowd to get motivated.
But I do agree that’s it’s a good idea to have a goal and train.
I’ve done some of them just for run/for a training run, but I’ve also trained for a few. I like having something to work towards, especially right now when I don’t know when I’ll be running a live race again.
Your guide sounds so valuable! The mental aspect of a virtual race would be so challenging. I have not really done any, but I think if fall races were to get cancelled I would end up attempting a virtual half marathon.
That’s a good plan! I’ve considered doing a virtual marathon but I just don’t think I have it in me. But I said that about half-marathons and ended up doing a few of those virtually, so who knows!