Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Virtual Lincoln Park Run for the Zoo as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Well, after a great amount of consideration, I decided that my favorite thing about virtual races is that I can wake up at whatever time I want to, and get out to run! It is going to be a bit of a shell shock to my system when I have to start rolling out of bed in the wee hours of the morning again to get my miles in. Of course, I also like that I can still help to support organizations like the Lincoln Park Zoo from home - the virtual Run for the Zoo supported them in Chicago, and even though I ran in New York, my miles helped to support them and the animals that they take care of.
I completed my virtual race on July 7, the date that the Race for the Zoo would have taken place, had it not gone virtual. If I had been able to attend the race in Chicago, I would have gotten to see some animals along the way, so in the spirit of that, I decided to bring Riley along for the beginning of my run, to have a bit of puppy companionship.
The temps were going to climb into the 80s in NY on “race day",” so I decided to head out in the morning before things got too heated. I geared up with my BibRave tank and Hat, plus some sunscreen and a pair of Knockarounds to keep the sun out of my eyes. I pulled on some headphones and queued up a podcast, and once Riley had his running leash on we headed out for some humid miles.
We kept things local, doing loops of the blocks around our house. Riley alerted me any time he spotted another animal, from other doggos also out on walks, to birds and the occasional bunny – each time he spotted one he pulled me forward, begging to run faster than I was planning to. As we approached mile 2 he started slowing down, tongue out as we trotted along. I returned him to the house so his fluffy self would not overheat, and he headed right to his water bowl as I headed back out to finish my 10k.
It was a bit of a struggle for me, but I kept shuffling along, one foot in front of the other. The sun was rising higher into the sky, and I was checking in with my watch to see how many miles I had ahead of me still as I continued onward. I eventually was able to settle into my pace again, and keep making my way towards my “finish line.”
I got close to home around mile 5, and re-directed my route so I could get to 6.2 without having to loop back and fourth too much, and somehow the last mile seemed to slip away, even though I had been struggling leading up to it – my breathing had just not been cooperating, and I was glad when my watch finally ticked over to 6 miles, and then I counted the houses as I finally got to 6.2, and my personal race finish.
The miles may not have come easy this time, but I still got them done, and earned my “Run for the Zoo” race shirt, which features and ostrich!
If the Chicago marathon goes on as planned this year, I am hoping to make a trip to the Lincoln park zoo, so that I can check it out in person!
What Virtual races are you planning to complete this summer? The next one for me? The DC wonder woman virtual 10k!
