Staying motivated to train since Covid-19 has been challenging. Events and races usually keep me focused on my goals, but everything I’d planned to do this year has been cancelled. Fortunately, I’ve been finding a number of virtual events that appeal to me for various reasons, such as benefitting charities, flexible timeframes and locations, and fun swag! And, since there’s less pressure to compete with others, I find I’m enjoying all my regular activities more.
In April, I participated in Virtual Strides Coronavirus Relief Virtual Run. Virtual Strides, which was founded in 2014, has a simple mission statement: “Raising money for charity while promoting physical fitness and better health.” Part of the fees for this event support Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 90 countries. By May, they donated almost $70,000 to Direct Relief.
All participants in the event received a 3D coronavirus medal, featuring a toilet paper patterned ribbon, an attached silicone keychain containing a 1 fluid ounce bottle of hand sanitizer, a “Wash your hands, ya filthy animal” button, and a thermometer sticker you can use to take your temperature. Couldn’t resist getting this one – it’s likely to be one of the more unique medals in my collection.
In August, I joined the Run Like a Wolf 100 Mile Virtual Challenge, benefitting the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental organization protecting and preserving North America’s wolf populations through education, advocacy, and active species recovery. Participants are challenged to complete 100 miles of running, walking, or hiking during the month of August. My goal is to complete the 100 miles with a few to spare, but that amount of running is quite an increase over what I normally do. I’m breaking down the distance into 3 short runs (2.5-4 miles) in my neighborhood, 5 miles on the trail around Parker Canyon Lake after I swim, and then a long (10-13) mile trail run on the weekends at Oracle State Park.
By mid-August, over $70,000 was raised for the wolves!
In September, my niece, Christina, and I are signed up for two events: Beat The Blerch Virtual Race and Virtual Strides The Dragonfly. The Blerch is a race inspired by this comic about running, written by The Oatmeal. You can run a 5k, 10k, half, or full marathon (I’ll be doing a half), and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
The Dragonfly event supports the Dragonfly Foundation, a non-profit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, committed to delivering emotional, relational, and practical support systems for families affected by pediatric cancer. For this event, I did another half marathon in Oracle State Park on September 13.
On September 15, I started the Tahoe to Malibu 700 Mile Cross-Train Challenge. Participants have 6 months to complete 700 miles, which can be done by walking, running, cycling, swimming, or anything that covers distance. The event organizer’s goal is to raise $100,000 to support local California food banks and hunger relief programs, including the 42 food banks and hunger relief programs supported by the California Association of Food Banks (they exceeded their goal). When I finished on November 23, I was 31 of 50. The event runs through February 15, 2021, and over 400 more participants have registered since then.
My final event for 2020 was RUN for RBG, 87 mile run/walk challenge, which celebrates the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her dedication to Equality & Women’s Rights. The event’s charity partners are National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood, Foundation for Women’s Cancer, and Girls Who Code. The race swag includes: T-shirt, 5″ stained glass medal, and race bib…and I added on the “I Dissent” buff.
I’m actually starting to enjoy running more than I have in a long time; so, with hopes that I can sustain the momentum, I’ve registered the Bryce Canyon 30k in May 2021!