Start Your Engines Virtual Race

Start Your Engines Virtual Race 5k/10k/Half-Marathon
February 22, 2014 9:30 am, Trenton, MI
Temperature: 34 degrees, windchill 22, wind gusts 40 mph
Race #5 in 2014
Race #15 all time
Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
Time: 33:45, PR is 30:31
Finish: The race was with ourselves, not others (of course, aren't they all?)

Blinged out Photo Credit:  Missy Smith

This was my first virtual race.  I had no idea what to expect, but I was very pleased with everything about it!  I belong to a running group (for ladies only), called Moms Run This Town - Downriver, MI chapter, as this is a national organization.  Our group leader, Janie, organized this event.  Everything from date, location, measuring the course, to balloons on her car to signal the meeting spot!  Fantastic job Janie!

While this race was for the Moms in the group, it would have been perfect, given the dry pavement, to have my boys run along with me...however, they had a grueling hockey practice, scheduled at the same time, to prep for the state tournament coming up.

I joined this running group after the race was already planned out.  The medals had already been ordered. At some point, at least one person dropped out, so I was able to get a medal after all!  I would have still run the race just to do it, but we all know that bling makes a happy runner!  Janie had created an event tab on the group facebook page, so signing up was as simple as stating you were "going" on the facebook page.  Easy peasy!!  Communication was done through that page as well, including telling us about the course lay out.

Another Mom from the group, Nicole, took a shirt order for anyone who wanted shirts.  I personally have too many race shirts to begin with (and it's growing every weekend), so I did not order one.  However, many of the moms did.  They were $12, a white cotton t-shirt, and had the Start Your Engine logo on the front.  Very nice job with the shirts Nicole!

There were 15 of us from the group that ran today (not including husbands and children that ran as well). We met at Elizabeth Park at 9:15 am.  Janie had printed us bibs to wear, so we received those and pinned them on.  Amanda, from our group, was so kind to bring everyone water and bananas for after the race.  So we set the stuff out by our cars so as we each finished, we could hydrate and snack while waiting for the others.  It was CRAZY windy, with wind gusts to 40 mph. It sure felt a lot colder than what it really was.

There is a one way road that makes a loop within the park.  The road was dry!  It's the first time I have seen dry pavement in 2 months, I kid you not!  Janie used chalk to mark areas where we needed to turn around so our exact distance would be 3.1 miles.  For this virtual race you had the option to do a 5k, 10k, or half-marathon.  14 of us did the 5k, and 1 did the 10k.  For the 5k, we looped the course twice, then went out a distance and turned around, per the chalk marks, to come back to finish at exactly 3.10.  Again, excellent job by Janie!!

  

As we all finished, we stayed to cheer each other on to the finish line.  We received our medals, shirts, and took a group picture.

Conclusion:  This was a very fun, relaxing race. It cost me $9 for the medal (optional), and the shirts were $12 (also optional).  I LOVE the medal!  There was no pressure in this race to do well or beat anyone...although Nicole and I have some friendly competition between us :)  Through our group, we all know that each of us is on a separate journey, we respect that, and applaud each other for a job well done today!  I can't wait to do the next virtual race with this group of amazing ladies!

Race on runners
AP Running Mom :)