Why I Love Virtual Bling
It's surprising how many people within the running community don't understand what a virtual run is. Basically, a virtual run is a race that you sign up for online, which you can run at a time, date and location convenient to you (although there is usually a deadline.) You submit 'evidence' of your run by uploading a Strava screenshot or similar and then, when it's been approved, you'll receive a medal in the mail. Many virtual running sites compile a leader board so that you can compare how you did and they have social media pages where you can chat about events, share photographs and basically encourage each other. In many cases a percentage of the entrance fee is donated to charity.
I read somewhere that virtual runs grew out of the practice of high school runners in the U.S., posting their times in for a national competition. So, although many 'purists' would try to say otherwise, virtual runs are not only for beginners and people who lack the confidence or ability to enter 'proper' races. On the contrary, virtual races are enjoyed by all sorts of runners, including very experienced and astoundingly speedy ones. (Just go and have a look at some of the results tables, if you don't believe me.)
Let me first of all deal with a few common misconceptions.
Misconception 1: Surely you're just paying for a medal
Nope. You're paying for a 'race space' just as you would be if you entered any race. If you don't turn up on race day, you don't get a medal. Likewise, if you don't complete your virtual run and don't submit your evidence before the deadline, you won't get your medal either.
Misconception 2: Surely you're just rewarding yourself for a training run, something that you should be able to do without needing a medal
I don't feel the need to reward myself for every training run I do, and I'm sure that goes for most other people too. Sometimes, however, the prospect of a medal can provide some extra motivation. For instance, if you're attempting a new distance for the first time or trying for a particular time.
Misconception 3: It's lonely. Who wants to run on their own?
Although you might be running alone (it's not always the case. It's quite common for a bunch of friends to get together to take on a challenge) you have a supportive online community at your fingertips, somewhere to share your experiences. It can be inspiring to compare stories and to learn a bit more about why someone is running, why a particular medal or a particular charity appealed to them.
So, why do I love virtual runs so much?
The medals are often nicer
They tend to be sparkly and colourful and inspired by a range of themes, so you can find something that is quite personal to you. For instance, I'm always going to be drawn to a medal design that incorporates cats, Alice in Wonderland, dragonflies or unicorns. They look lovely hanging up in my window!
It's a way of contributing to charity
For those of us who aren't in a position to be able to raise massive funds for charity, it feels nice to be participating in something that helps a good cause. It might not seem like we are contributing much individually, but as a community we can make a difference, and that's very satisfying.
They spur me on
At the start of this year, I decided I wanted to run a half marathon. At that stage I wasn't sure it was a realistic plan, as I was recovering from an injury, but I browsed the virtual running sites and signed up for a lovely, sparkly half marathon medal. It could be done at any time over the 12 months, so that took the pressure off. But I really wanted to earn that piece of bling, so I didn't hang around. I got on with the training and one beautiful morning in early spring, I set out alone and ran my first 13.1 distance. I followed it up with a 'real' half marathon event a month later. I treasured both those medals equally. They both represented a fantastic achievement for me.
No race day stress
Although I enjoy the buzz of a race day, there's so much to think about before you even start running. With a virtual run, it's just a case of stepping outside my front door and off I go. No hassle with queuing for toilets or standing around in the freezing cold.
Variety
I like conventional races and I like virtual races. I wouldn't want to see one replace the other. It's the combination of the two that makes my running life fun and varied. I don't necessarily feel like I've earned a medal more just because I've done it under official race conditions. Sometimes I remind myself that running a distance without spectators to cheer you on requires a special kind of determination and strength. The truth is that all running challenges, whether virtual or non-virtual, are character-building, great for self-esteem and a way to measure and reward progress.
Sometimes I think I'm a bit like a kid with a sticker book. I've always been a collector. Since my childhood I've collected various things - from postcards and stamps to tarot decks and voodoo dolls. My minimalist mother despairs of me and my 'clutter.' There's something I find quite therapeutic and calming about watching a collection grow. So, perhaps medals are just a natural progression from that. Collecting things that you have truly earned has to be the most satisfying collecting of all.
Here are some of my favourites - a mixture of virtual and non-virtual.
I read somewhere that virtual runs grew out of the practice of high school runners in the U.S., posting their times in for a national competition. So, although many 'purists' would try to say otherwise, virtual runs are not only for beginners and people who lack the confidence or ability to enter 'proper' races. On the contrary, virtual races are enjoyed by all sorts of runners, including very experienced and astoundingly speedy ones. (Just go and have a look at some of the results tables, if you don't believe me.)
Let me first of all deal with a few common misconceptions.
Misconception 1: Surely you're just paying for a medal
Nope. You're paying for a 'race space' just as you would be if you entered any race. If you don't turn up on race day, you don't get a medal. Likewise, if you don't complete your virtual run and don't submit your evidence before the deadline, you won't get your medal either.
Misconception 2: Surely you're just rewarding yourself for a training run, something that you should be able to do without needing a medal
I don't feel the need to reward myself for every training run I do, and I'm sure that goes for most other people too. Sometimes, however, the prospect of a medal can provide some extra motivation. For instance, if you're attempting a new distance for the first time or trying for a particular time.
Misconception 3: It's lonely. Who wants to run on their own?
Although you might be running alone (it's not always the case. It's quite common for a bunch of friends to get together to take on a challenge) you have a supportive online community at your fingertips, somewhere to share your experiences. It can be inspiring to compare stories and to learn a bit more about why someone is running, why a particular medal or a particular charity appealed to them.
So, why do I love virtual runs so much?
The medals are often nicer
They tend to be sparkly and colourful and inspired by a range of themes, so you can find something that is quite personal to you. For instance, I'm always going to be drawn to a medal design that incorporates cats, Alice in Wonderland, dragonflies or unicorns. They look lovely hanging up in my window!
It's a way of contributing to charity
For those of us who aren't in a position to be able to raise massive funds for charity, it feels nice to be participating in something that helps a good cause. It might not seem like we are contributing much individually, but as a community we can make a difference, and that's very satisfying.
They spur me on
At the start of this year, I decided I wanted to run a half marathon. At that stage I wasn't sure it was a realistic plan, as I was recovering from an injury, but I browsed the virtual running sites and signed up for a lovely, sparkly half marathon medal. It could be done at any time over the 12 months, so that took the pressure off. But I really wanted to earn that piece of bling, so I didn't hang around. I got on with the training and one beautiful morning in early spring, I set out alone and ran my first 13.1 distance. I followed it up with a 'real' half marathon event a month later. I treasured both those medals equally. They both represented a fantastic achievement for me.
No race day stress
Although I enjoy the buzz of a race day, there's so much to think about before you even start running. With a virtual run, it's just a case of stepping outside my front door and off I go. No hassle with queuing for toilets or standing around in the freezing cold.
Variety
I like conventional races and I like virtual races. I wouldn't want to see one replace the other. It's the combination of the two that makes my running life fun and varied. I don't necessarily feel like I've earned a medal more just because I've done it under official race conditions. Sometimes I remind myself that running a distance without spectators to cheer you on requires a special kind of determination and strength. The truth is that all running challenges, whether virtual or non-virtual, are character-building, great for self-esteem and a way to measure and reward progress.
Sometimes I think I'm a bit like a kid with a sticker book. I've always been a collector. Since my childhood I've collected various things - from postcards and stamps to tarot decks and voodoo dolls. My minimalist mother despairs of me and my 'clutter.' There's something I find quite therapeutic and calming about watching a collection grow. So, perhaps medals are just a natural progression from that. Collecting things that you have truly earned has to be the most satisfying collecting of all.
Here are some of my favourites - a mixture of virtual and non-virtual.
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