The Year of the Virtual Race: The Scooby Doo Run

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Scooby Doo Run to review 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!

The best thing about virtual races? You can do them on your own time, at your own pace.

I am still missing in-person races, but until they return, I will continue to enjoy virtual ones – and thanks to the team at BibRave, I had the opportunity to participate in the scooby doo run. I grew up watching scooby doo, and was excited when I spotted the swag that I could earn in the race – a water bottle, a hoodie, and a medal for me, PLUS a bandana and a collar for Riley! It was a special treat that they even had pet friendly swag.

I signed up, and when my race package came in the mail, I may have broken one of my cardinal rules – usually I am very superstitious about not using any of my race swag before race day, but I could not resist trying the bandana on Riley!

I signed up for the 10k option, and since that is a little far for the pup to run along with me, I started taking him on shorter runs so that he could cumulatively finish a total of 6.1 miles. He usually was able to run about 2 miles at a time before he got tuckered out because of the summer heat. Some days we even had to stop for water breaks, but the pup was ultimately able to finish his miles, and earn his fancy little collar before I finished my race!

I was planning to take on my virtual races like I usually do, by running around by home, my husband biking along to support me through the distance – but when “race day” came, we decided to shake things up – and walk the distance together! Another perk of a virtual race – there’s no pressure on your pace if you don’t want there to be. We took our time as we explored our neighborhood, taking paths that I don’t usually follow when running. We even had an aid station at mile 4…. In the form of ice cream from baskin robins! If that’s not a delicious mid race stop, I don’t know what is! It took longer than a usual 10k for me, but the miles were high quality, on a beautiful early fall afternoon.

There is still time to register for the scooby doo 10k or 5k, and take on your miles in the way that best suits your day, and you can even bring a furry friend along for the journey.

Tips to make Virtual Races a Real Life Experience!

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Virtual DC Wonder Woman Run and the Scooby Doo Run to review 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!

The first race that I was registered for that fell victim to 2020 was the NYC United Airlines Half Marathon – my favorite race, which I had ran for the last three consecutive years. My friends and I constantly checked the NYRR website for an update, and we were shocked when the cancellation hit just days before the event was supposed to take place. At the time Corona cases were rising in NY, and it made sense to play it safe. We all agreed that losing the NYC half would make the Brooklyn half that much more exciting – surely the would would have returned to normal by May, right?

Well, spoiler alert – the world did not return to normal, and cancellations continued for the rest of the year. Local races, destination races, RunDisney events and world marathon major races all were cancelled, one after another. The first ones were disappointing, but eventually it just became almost expected. I was supposed to run both the NYC and the Chicago marathons this fall, and once those got cancelled, I found myself with a big race void, missing the end goal that my training usually works towards.

Prior to 2020, I had completed one virtual race – the 2018 Star Wars Light Side half marathon, as a part of the Kessell Run Challenge that RunDisney hosted. If we are being honest, it was the Millennium Falcon medal that you earned by completing the virtual and in person half marathons that convinced me to sign up. I guess you could say I am motivated by some good swag.

With typical races being cancelled for the most part, I have come to appreciate virtual races more than ever before – the flexibility of not having to wake up at the crack of dawn combined with a reward for finishing my miles has gotten me out the door when I was feeling less than motivated more than once this year.

I like to make my virtual races an experience – here are some of my favorite ways to make things a little more special:

1.     Have someone complete the race with you!

 This one has to be done safely – for me, my husband has been biking along for my races, helping me keep a good pace and passing me water. Other times, I have been bringing the dog, Riley out to run with me. Riley loves it when he gets to trot along with me for a run.

 2.     Have a photo op setup for the finish line

When I completed the Wonder Woman 10k, I pulled out some chalk I purchased earlier this year and had fun making a backdrop on our driveway! It was a good way to cool down post race, and I loved the photos that I got.

3.     Save the swag I earn for after I have completed my mileage

When I get a package in the mail with race swag, it is hard for me to not immediately start using my new goodies – and for this reason I like to save them for AFTER the race – that way I have something to look forward to earning.

4.     Enjoy a sweet treat after my run

This one is pretty self-explanatory – usually I go for an Italian ice or a big cookie!

5.     Share a photo on the next #MedalMonday!

You never know when your virtual race photo could inspire someone else to take on their own challenge, and for that reason I love sharing my photos with the running community and seeing all of the posts that people share of their medals and accomplishments each Monday. It is an inspiring way to start the week. 

There are lots of virtual races to choose from, but two of the races I have registered for are the Wonder Woman 10k and the Scooby Doo 10k! There are so many runners participating in these races on social media, and it has been fun to see everyone’s take on their virtual mileage!

My favorite swag from the Wonder Woman race is the ¼ zip – it is comfy and high quality, and I am sure it will become a staple in my winter running wardrobe. I was so excited to get to wear it when I finally completed my 10k.

For the Scooby Doo Run, there was so much gear to pick from, but my favorite is actually not for me – it is for Riley! Don’t get me wrong, the pullover that I will earn upon completing my miles is sweet, but they included the cutest little collar for him, complete with his own medal! If you are a dog lover or have one in your life, you need to check out this bling!

What virtual races are you taking on in 2020? Up next for me is the RunDisney Wine and Dine vacirtual two course challenge!

The Year of the Virtual Race: The DC Wonder Woman Run

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Virtual DC Wonder Woman Run to review 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!

I am missing racing these days, from the social aspect to the away from home courses, and of course, the accountability that comes with training for a specific goal. The swag and bling are a nice bonus too, come race day. I think it would be a fair statement to say I am a sucker for some good bling, as I have signed up for more than one race after seeing a really awesome medal or swag.

Well, the swag has drawn me to another virtual race, which I am excited to have in lieu of a regular race, even if the fan fare is a little different. When I first found out about the DC Wonder Woman race series, I checked to see if there was a race happening near New York and was bummed that there was not one. I considered planning another trip to Georgia to take part in the event that was supposed to happen there - but traveling quickly disappeared as an option within 2020 for me.

But a silver lining emerged when the race series announced that they would be going virtual – which meant I could still earn some sweet swag without travelling too far from home. The virtual race offers two distance options, a 5k and a 10k. I opted for the 10k, and I want to share the sweet swag that you can earn from taking part in this virtual event – registration includes a ¼ zip pullover (available in women’s and men’s sizes), a medal, a bag, and wrist sweat bands (which have pockets!). I haven’t gotten mine in the mail yet, but I am looking forward to it arriving. 

The race can be run through 11/1/2020, so there is plenty of time to register and train for your virtual event, if you want to join me and complete the virtual DC Wonder Woman race! You can register for the race via the event website, DC Wonder Woman Run.

The Year Races Went Virtual: The 2020 Run for the Zoo

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!

Running isn't cancelled: Virtual races still have a real impact!

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!

I shared in a previous blog post that I am looking forward to running the first ever virtual Run for the Zoo - an event that usually takes place in Chicago each year, but this year was forced to become a virtual race as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

This race helps Lincolin park remain open and free to the public, while taking care of many animals - the proceeds that the race brings in help to fund animal care, and now that it is virtual, its reach can extend beyond Chicago! Now that I am following Lincoln park on instagram, the animal photos that they share always bring a smile to my face- so today I want to share some of the cute animals that this run benefits.

If these adorable faces have inspired you to want to help the place that cares for them, make sure to use code BIBRAVE10 when you register for the virtual run for the zoo here.

You can even have your own “Race Day” Fun at home - I ordered up some sidewalk chalk and am looking forward to drawing some animals around my chalk finish line! In times like these, it is the little things that you can still do that I find joy in.

Let me know if you’ll be joining me, and running for the animals!