This week I completed my third virtual race in a month. After the announcements of race cancellations were made I decided it would be fun to do some virtual races so I jumped on board with the Rambling Runner’s Virtual Race Series. I ran a 5k, a 10k, and this week I ran a half-marathon. While all of my races have gone surprisingly well, I haven’t put much preparation into my race execution. Let’s talk about how not to run a virtual half-marathon.
Rambling Runner’s Virtual Half-Marathon
The half-marathon could be completed any time between Friday and Sunday (4/17-4/19). I chose to run mine on Friday for a few reasons. The first was the weather. It was supposed to rain on Saturday. Another reason was that I like getting harder/longer runs done early in the weekend. Also, it was mentally easier for me to take a day off of running on a Thursday than a Saturday (since I didn’t want to run the day before my race).
Running 13 miles on a Friday morning meant a very early start. Rob leaves for work around 6:30 and Grayson gets up at 6. I like to be showered before he gets up. So my goal was to be back home no later than 5:45. I assumed I could run a half in about 1:45 but I was hoping for faster than that. If I was on track to run significantly slower I knew I might have to throw in the towel. I wanted to give myself a little wiggle room so I wanted to be hitting the start button no later than 4am. Ideally, a few minutes before that.
Race Morning
I woke up at 3, pumped a little bit (so I wouldn’t have to worry about feeding Grayson as soon as I got home) and ate a honey stinger waffle and a piece of a homemade granola bar. I drank some coffee and water. By the time I cleaned up and got stressed it was already 3:40. I had prepped a water bottle and fuel the night before, so I grabbed them and headed outside. Maybe I did a lunge or two as I was putting on my gear, but it certainly wasn’t a real “warm-up”.
I left my water bottle on the curb so I could grab it as I needed it. My run took place around my neighborhood and could run past my house whenever I needed to. For fuel I had some raisins and pieces of a honey stinger waffle because I realized earlier in the week that I didn’t have any gels.
I ran for 2 minutes as a warm-up before resetting my watch to start my race. By the time I started it was 3:56. Never in my life did I think I would be starting a run at that hour. Off I went, making lots of loops around the same 2 miles over and over. Long story short, 1 hour, 41 minutes, and 57 seconds later, I was done. With a 1 second PR to show for my efforts. I snapped some pics, took off all my layers of gear, and headed in to start the day.
I managed to pull off a PR, but I did SO many things that I would never do in a real race.
Here is how not to run a virtual half-marathon:
- I didn’t taper at all. On Sunday (5 days earlier) I ran 10 miles. Throughout the week I did 2 strength workouts and kept up with my regular runs throughout the week.
- I didn’t warm up (other than like 2 lunges and a 2 minute jog)
- My plan was to take water every 2-3 miles, but only stopped for it once. I felt like it slowed me down too much.
- I didn’t take the fuel I brought. Ok, I ate 3 raisins. I just didn’t feel like eating. I think I would have taken gels if I had them. The process of eating real foods while wearing gloves was too complicated, slowed me down, and used too much energy. I also knew if I was eating I would probably need water, and I didn’t feel like dealing with that either.
- Skipped my cool down. I maybe ran for 1.5 minutes to get home after my race ended.
- No stretching post-run. (I did foam roll later in the day).
- The night before the race I ate ice cream. I don’t think this had any negative effects, but it’s not something I would usually do before a real race.
- I did my race at 3:56am. This is not recommended. While I am used to running early even I was tired on this run. I went to bed at 8 the night before which helped.
I guess it’s good to know that I can still run well even when I do everything wrong. While I am thrilled to have run a PR in these conditions, my original race goal for my May race was faster than this. I do think I have a faster time in me, especially in a real race and with a full cycle of training. (Plus a taper, warm-up, etc.) But for now, this will have to do.
Weekly Run Down
Monday: 3 Miles + Strength Training
Tuesday: 5 Miles
Wednesday: Strength Training + Foam Rolling
Thursday: Yoga
Friday: 13.1 Miles (+ maybe .4 miles for my warm-up and cool-down)
Saturday: 3.1 Miles + Core + Foam Rolling
Sunday: 5.5 Miles + Hip/Glute Exercises
Since this post is already pretty long I won’t go into detail about my other workouts from last week. I’m planning to take it easy next week, but I feel like there are no rules these days when it comes to running/racing. Clearly I broke all the rules on race day, so why would this week be any different? 😉
[Tweet “Planning to run a virtual half-marathon anytime soon? Here’s what NOT to do! @milebymilerun #weeklyrundown”]
Have you broken any rules when running virtual races?
Have you done any of these things during a real race?
How were your workouts last week?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Amazing on so many levels! First of all, congratulations on your PR! Second, congratulations on getting up at 3 am for the virtual race! And then running it in loops! That takes so much grit.
I have done things in my virtual races I normally wouldn’t do: take photos, no fuel, no warm-up and built in extra hills.
Thank you! I think its easy to slack off a bit in the virtual races. In a way its kind of nice because theres just not the same pressure as a real race.
OMG, that is dedication and getting it done. I ^might^ be able to make myself get up and out the door that early, but I would not be able to push myself that hard that early. So, what time did you crash on Friday night?
Thank you! Haha, I think it was like 8:30 or so. I always go to bed early though. Honestly I thought I would have been more tired but I didn’t feel too bad!
Great job on the 13.1! It’s amazing when everything comes together with less-than-ideal conditions. A few years ago, I ran a 13.1 the morning after our high school’s prom…so I had minimal sleep (maybe 90 minutes?) because I’d worked at the after-prom party. My race was on a hilly route, but I finished with a respectable 2:08 (I think?) and that included a 2-minute potty stop along the way LOL Not sure where all that adrenaline or energy came from, but I was most thankful. Too bad we can’t have that happen ALL the time, right?
I remember when you did that race! I really couldn’t believe you raced on such little sleep! Its crazy what our bodies are capable of even when we don’t treat them as well as we should.
Oh my maybe doing all the things you shouldn’t works for you! You crushed it. I always say this but, I really am impressed by your dedication and how you juggle everything. Nice job!
Haha thanks! I think I thrive off of being busy. Honestly there was no way I would get as much done if I wasn’t a morning person.
If that’s how NOT to run a half marathon, then I say it’s all good! I have my virtual half this weekend and like you, I’m going to do loops–the same route I did for my 19 miler. That way I can stop at home for bathroom and fuel. I’d never do a race like this but hey, all bets are off right now! Unlike you, I won’t be starting at 4 am….lol
Nice work, Lisa!
That’s smart to not run at 4am:) But at least I didnt have to worry about seeing anyone! And hopefully me neighbors were sleeping and didnt see me running all those loops past their houses. Hope your race goes well this weekend!
My most common “real” race mistake is to forget to do my warm up routine, either because I forget in the excitement or because it’s too crowded to do leg swings. I’ve had some great races with no warm up and of course I’ve had some bad races that wouldn’t have been helped by the warm up. I said it before and I’ll say it again, a PR by yourself with no course support is just incredible. I can only imagine what I will be able to do once I get back on a real race course.
I’ve skipped my warm up for real races too, usually because I am running late. Its not ideal, but for longer races I just warm up during those first few miles. Thanks so much! And congrats to you on your race!
You are hardcore to start a virtual race before 4am! And to PR on top of everything is amazing! Bravo!
Thank you! I will admit I felt a little crazy starting a run so early…
WOW! I’m so impressed! 3 virtual races and you totally killed it! GREAT job!! I signed up for a 6 week virtual run challenge and have week 1 in the books! It’s been so nice to have running to lean on through all of this!
Thank you! I totally agree that its been great to have running right now. And Im enjoying the virtual races more than I thought I would!
Congrats on the PR! My first half was a virtual race and I did absolutely everything wrong. Bad training, no tapering, basically you name it I did it. I think you did great!
Thanks! I did a lot of things wrong in my first half too (and that was a real one). I definitely didnt take any fuel because at the time I had no idea you were supposed to eat anything during a long run!
I am still in disbelief that you were able to not only start a run that early, but also complete 13.1 miles all before getting ready to start your day with working from home and a toddler. Amazing job!!
Haha thanks! To be fair, I was off on Friday so at least I didn’t have to work from home that day. The toddler kept me busy enough though!
So impressed that you did this. I have definitely broken a few rules here & there, but i can’t even imagine running a half on so little fuel — and with almost no hydration! I’m a thirsty runner. I carry — and use — water no matter the length of my run.
Congrats on the PR! I’ll be if it had been a real race you would have met your time goal.
I need alot of water when its warm out but in these cooler temps I can usually make it pretty far without anything. It was nice to know the option was there if I needed it.
Well you are clearly in fantastic shape and have a solid base because despite breaking all the rules, you had a fantastic finish time for your virtual 13.1, so huge congrats!!
Thank you so much! I’m hoping that whenever I can run a real race again that I can push myself as hard.
Great job, even if it was all wrong LOL!
I mean, I’ve been up at 2:30 for a race before – Disney races start stupid early and you have to be there by about 3:30 or so to make it to the start line on time. So I get it, for sure.
I’m so proud of all the strong running you’ve been fitting in!
I’ve heard that about Disney races! I think I would be annoyed if a race started that early…its different when you decide on your own to get up in the middle of the night! But I guess the atmosphere there makes up for it.
Wow! That is a speedy half! Congrats on the PR, even if it is a 1-second PR. My marathon PR can]me the day after I flew across the country (3 time zones), went to see a band with my son and his then-girlfriend, drank beers, and didn’t get to bed until midnight. And I didn’t eat breakfast before the race. Sometimes we have to break our own rules! 🙂
Wow!! I guess there is something to be said for not following the “rules” of racing! Maybe it just makes us more relaxed or something.
So impressive! 3:56 am! I love it. And despite all the things you say you did wrong, you ran really well! Congrats!
Thank you!
Great job on getting a 1-second PR on a race where you did a lot of things differently than you would have done if it hadn’t been virtual. I signed up for a virtual Thanksgiving race a few years ago only because I liked the shirt and wanted it for my real (in person) Thanksgiving Day race I was running. I just signed up for a Virtual Mother’s Day 4-Miler this year. It’s been on my radar for years and it seems like a great year to run it as my comeback race (of course, I may need to run/walk it, but we’ll see).
Hope you’re having a great week!
That sounds like a great plan for a comeback race! Virtual races are a nice option to have right now.
Way to get it! Thanks for the tips. Usually I have a hard time eating for any early morning race, so I can imagine that running at 4 in the morning can make this a challenge. I usually have to force myself to have a little bit of something because I know I will be wishing I had later. Thanks for sharing Lisa!
Yes eating before an early run can definitely be tricky! Now that I know what works for me I just stick with it as best as I can.