We're in the middle of a pandemic. We might be nearing the end of it; we might just be gearing up for another wave. WHO KNOWS?
All we athletes know is that we don't have gyms to go to and all of our races are being cancelled.
... or are they?
Enterprising companies started hosting virtual races. Some were just the natural alternative for a race day that could no longer be held. Some just seem ridiculously on brand (see: IRONMAN, Rock 'n' Roll and their swag which includes masks ...). Others are just to give us racing and competitive types (or medal hounds) something to chase after. And some, well, it's just for the community aspect as that's a big reason a lot of us do sport - for the community aspect, and that's been taken away from us.
We can't see our friends at a race, so why don't we do the same race virtually?
... sure, let's go with it.
In any case, I've done three recently. I haven't put them in the race log (... because they're not actually races imho), but I figured I could at least make them into some blog content.
Race #1: Mother's Day Smashfest Virtual 10K
Smashfest Queen put on a Mother's Day virtual race for either the 5K, 10K, or half-marathon distance. I decided on the 10K because why not. I actually attempted to race the thing, too.
Race cost some money, for a swag race shirt. That I'll get some time in June. Because SMASH. Part of the fee also went to charity - No Kid Hungry.
With my bib. Yes, I printed all my bibs out. No, I didn't actually wear them running. #selfconscious
Husband got me as our run paths crossed.
I haven't actually raced a 10K in quite some time, so this kinda hurt. And also reminded me why I don't particularly like the distance.
Result: 6.26 mi in 1:05:05
Race #2: Skirt Strong Frickin' Women Virtual 5K
A couple of the current ambassador captains came up with the idea of this virtual race and, as an ambassador myself, of COURSE I was going to do this.
Race was free. It was for everyone. You could walk it or run it or whatever.
Note the new race hat - it's a T. rex! Thanks to a random friend for introducing me to Bandanna Running in Boise and then Bandanna themselves for shipping to Colorado.
Didn't race this one nearly as hard. Also ran it with B, so that was partly why. Also it's really hard (at least for me) to click into race mode without the whole atmosphere and stuff.
Result: 3.12 mi in 33:03
Race #3: Conquer COVID-19 Virtual 10K
What, another 10K? Yes, I know. B and I both signed up for this one. Since running the Dino Half a few years back, we still get emails from Runtastic Events. With the whole shift to virtual ... they got creative. And really, we just ran this one for the medal.
So yes, we paid for this one. Did not pay extra for the t-shirt. Mostly just paid for the medal. Also had to actually upload results. They also donated $5 from every entry fee to a local running store. I chose Cadence Running Company in Arizona, since apparently that's how I'm getting shoes now.
The ever elusive both feet in the air running shot.
B coming into the "finish."
Done! The medals look like rolls of toilet paper. There's a spinner in the middle that looks like the coronavirus. The stuff on the back is along the lines of that Stay Home logo thing you see on Instagram.
My medal Monday shot. You get a sense of the ridiculousness here.
I will say we signed up for this basically solely for the medal. I'm hoping that, sometime in the future, we can look back on this medal as a humorous reminder of a pretty tough time.
Also B remembered with me why 10Ks suck. We didn't run this one nearly as hard as I did the Smash one the week prior.
Result: 6.21 mi in 1:11:25
*****
I think the virtual races do have a place, but they definitely don't replace actual racing (for me, at least).
The other thing that's emerging, however, is virtual challenges. One I know a lot of people doing is GVRAT - the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee - run however many miles it is for the length of Tennessee (... somewhere around 1000, I think?) over the course of the summer. I'm not interested in that, but local company 3W Races is doing something on a smaller level - hike, walk, run, and/or bike the length of the Colorado Trail (486 mi) over 90 days (essentially June, July, and August). You can do it with a team or solo - Brandon and I think that we can hit that mileage across all those disciplines easily.
Check back for the May recap next week to see if we actually pull the trigger on it ...
There are a lot of start lines in our lives.
Birth, jobs, relationships, friendships, races, projects.
It only stands to reason that there are finish lines, too.
Some are our own, but some we're only witness to. We may not have seen our grandmother's start line, but we've probably seen her finish line.
Some are worth mourning. Some are worth celebrating. Some, you feel nothing but relief.
In terms of racing, I've seen 125 start lines and 120 finish lines. Of those five missed finish lines:
- four I'd make the same choice on missing them again.
- one I regret.
- one which was nothing but relief.
- one where I still wonder "what if."
(Note: the "what if" and the regret are not the same race.)
Some finish lines in life blindside you. The end of friendships, divorces, death. Some leave you feeling relief; others bitterness; others joy. Some leave you feeling all of the possible feels you can feel.
The announcement of Skirt Sports' possible finish line is doling out the latter - feeling all the feels.
I understand and respect Nicole DeBoom's decision to explore another path in her life.
I'm deeply saddened at the potential loss of a brand that has been there for me for 13 years; one that I can know automatically if I purchase something that it will fit.
I (okay, really B) feel a bit of relief that I no longer have to get creative with closet and drawer space to fit in even more Skirt.
I also feel relief that Skirt is so well made that I will continue to have those pieces for another 13 years if I so choose to since I know they'll last that long.
I feel anger at the circumstances that forced their hand while simultaneously understanding that this decision would probably have come regardless eventually, but maybe just not. right. now.
I rejoice in the friends and connections I have made, knowing that those won't just go away because the clothing brand connecting us might.
I don't even know how to describe one of my feelings - of what I might miss out on, whether it be some amazing new fabric or print or product, or even new friend that might now not be made. Not fear, not angry ... impotence? Frustration? Sadness of what will never be? Mourning of lost possibility?
My first Skirt was a shirt, and I wrote a poem back in 2018 about what that one simple item of clothing meant. I converted to Skirt fully in 2010. I became an ambassador back in 2015, a captain in 2016, a model in 2018. I attended retreats each year I was an ambassador (this year not withstanding)(dang COVID-19)(2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
I'm thankful a friend talked me into doing Tri for the Cure in 2007, not only for sparking my torrid love affair with triathlon, but for unintentionally teaching me about Skirt Sports (the apparel sponsor).
I'm thankful for the silly SkirtChaser series that Brandon and I decided to run in 2008 which got me my first actual Skirt.
I'm thankful for the wide range of products and awesome patterns that got me sucked in.
I'm thankful I took the plunge and introduced myself to Nicole at the Tri for the Cure expo in ... either 2011 or 2012.
I'm thankful for the reboot of the ambassador program (the current one to this day) and for them accepting me in 2015.
I'm thankful for that first retreat in part for introducing me to Kim and Jake's.
I'm thankful for their faith in me and choosing me to be a captain in 2016.
I'm thankful for the countless connections I have made through Skirt.
I'm thankful for the community they gave me at a time in my life when I deeply needed one.
I'm thankful for them pushing me out of my comfort zone in so many little ways that I didn't even realize it was happening at the time.
I'm thankful for their trust in me to become one of their Real Woman models, and thankful I ignored my fears to even model a sports bra.
I'm thankful I was able to honor the company's 15th anniversary by wearing the newest iteration of the Race Belt Skirt at IRONMAN Wisconsin, the race Nicole won while wearing the very first Skirt prototype.
I'm thankful that while I wasn't there at Skirt's start line, I stumbled upon their race, and will be able to celebrate with them at their finish line.
Nicole, thank you. Thank you to you and to everyone I've known at Skirt HQ over the years - Sarah, Noelle, Keri, Jen, Chris, Amy, Jenelle, Rebecca, and so many others I'm forgetting (not to mention Tim and Wilder). I feel blessed to have stumbled upon you and become a teeny tiny part of your story.
Another month has passed us by ... even if it's hard to tell. How did it go for me in terms of working out? Why, well thank you for asking; I'll let you know right now.
Swimming: 0m (0 mi)
Cycling: 161.82 mi
Running: 44.81 mi
Lifting: 30 sessions (8:32)
Other: five walks (2:45), one session yoga (:19)
Still no swimming. Really starting to miss it. My goal for May is to get in the water somehow, whether it be because the gym opened up again or I finally throw myself in a lake/reservoir.
Cycling numbers went up nicely. I think there may have been a trainer ride or two in there, but it was mostly outside. I'm pretty thankful for that.
Running also has been coming along well. I have signed up for a few virtual races - two 10ks and a 5k - so I'll do "recaps" for those as I do them.
Strength work continued to skyrocket - the TIU app was free (besides just the daily workout) for a while so I did a few extra classes. I also added in some dryland swim work just so I don't lose all my swim fitness. Hopefully.
Otherwise ... I finally cracked yesterday. I'm sick of all of this crap. I'm sick of exercise being the only way I can get out and explore. I'm sick of riding and running the same paths and trails. I'm sick of not being able to travel. I'm sick of everyone else not being able to travel because it's hurting my husband's livelihood. I'm just sick of it all.
