Staying motivated to run, that is the question, whether it is nobler to hibernate during the winter months!
It is hard to stay motivated, especially when you run solo most of the time. And although I love exploring the trails I personally need goals rather than just aimlessly running.
January 2017 I discovered Virtual Races … these are not where you sit on your sofa, plugged into technology and run virtually against others. These are where you can set the location and, most of the time, the date to run a specified distance. The only competition is yourself. For those new to running or shy of racing events these are a revelation. I had only ever run 4 races up to this point and suffered anxiety before each one. The pressure you put on yourself to run PBs, the self inflicted unrealistic comparisons that you make with other runners, the self consciousness of your appearance in lycra with a crowd of spectators can be unforgiving. Virtual races give you a goal to aim for, whether it is to run a set distance for the first time or to challenge yourself to run a distance at the fastest pace you possibly can without the pressure, without the comparisons, without the crowds.
Now I unashamedly admit that my enthusiasm meant that I indiscriminately signed up for loads. My February and March became filled with virtual challenges of the bling kind, as well as the hill climb and distance goals set on Strava. But looking forward I am being a little more disciplined, otherwise every training session will become a race … not that there is anything wrong in that … but I’m now focussing on those that are more of a challenge to earn, that are for charities close to my heart, that are a little bit quirky, although there will always be ones that just appeal!
So Race At Your Pace with their monthly goal of x amount of miles is a definite for the time being, to motivate me to get out there three times a week, whatever the weather, to gradually increase my mileage. February I ran over 50 miles, this month I’ve set my target as 75 miles. And maybe, just maybe I will break over the 100 mile threshold in a month!!!
Hogwarts Running Club is a must … I’m such a Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts geek that I am up for anything they can think of. Boy the Nargles 9k challenge 13th February was a challenge in head-on wind and driving rain … but I did it, I certainly earnt it!!
Now to squeeze in the D.A. 5k this weekend after a gruelling 10k on the Saturday! But the medals are awesome and so so so worth it.
And then there is Virtual Warrior who have a fab imagination behind their challenges and great variety of distances so there is a challenge for everyone. My first virtual run was the Virtual Warrior’s Jester 15km where you had to run as a bear or with a bear. No problem. I just took Denys with me on the running adventure and we conquered hills and mud together with a few laughs from passer-by along the way. It was a hoot! It certainly wasn’t about the finish time as we stopped for so many photos along the way, but it was one of my longest runs at that point and I enjoyed every step … and I think Denys enjoyed it too, although he felt like a lay down at the top of Haddon Hill and in the snowdrops when we finished.
I’m now signed up for their year-long 730km challenge, a Remembrance 10k where I plan to find the muddiest place ever to run to resemble the Somme and pay homage to those that fell, and I’m signing up for April’s Dragon’s Kisses 20km and The Samarai 15km with added hillage for a future challenge.
In addition there is the quirky free running app that the British Science Association release for Science Week … next week I plan to ‘Run To The Deep’ in a 10k seaside run with a virtual app descending me into the depths the further I run. Run the Solar System will be another adventure I plan to sign up for later in the year, having missed it last year it is still available to sign up for whenever it fits in to my running plan.
Let’s just say my running horizons are broadening at an astronomical rate 😀
Little Legs Big Dreams 