Virtual Running Virgin 🙊

[SaskAlliecat]

To help keep my motivation going this winter and to push my distance to a half marathon, I wanted to enter a half marathon race this winter. There are 2 in Saskatchewan - the Hypothermic Half in February and the Brainsport Brainfreeze in March. As the names imply, it can be freaking cold on the Canadian prairies during these months, especially with the winds we often see. Both races are a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive to get to the cities they are ran in, in good driving conditions. After reading kimchoc08's post on C25k where she and Sadie-runs wrote of a virtual 5k they're doing in March, I searched the virtual runner site and saw they had a run for Millie's Half marathon distance in March. It needs to be run in one shot but can be done anytime in March, allowing me to pick a decent day to actually run it. I received my Tailwind nutrition (thanks again misswobble ) this week so I'm ready. Bring it on! Half Marathon badge, here I come.....

[misswobble Marathon]

Let the training commence! 😀 💪😃

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Smart way to approach the challenge of a prairie winter Sask. I know you will go and smash that thing! I was also looking into a virtual medal for January to give me some motivation to finish this HM training which finishes in early January. But sadly there are no HM races available 🙁 haha well I guess I saved a few bucks anyway.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. There wasn't many virtual races for the HM distance. I think I saw 2 and both were in March. I checked a different company as well from the US and they didn't have any either. Guess you'll need to run with me in March 😁 .

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yep thats what I found too. Will be signing up for the Chilly Half in March so I will be running with you then 👍🏼. As for the training HM in Jan, if I complete it, I will maybe treat myself to some run gear or something 😁

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

That sounds like a perfect reward! Great plan! Some sexy running gloves perhaps 😂

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Oh I just bought some MEC mitts which look very warm, so I’ll be testing them out tomorrow on my 17 (gulp) if its not 20 below again. Maybe a flip belt though...

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

I miss MEC. I used to love going there on my days off. I could waste an entire day there trying everything on, looking at all the lovely gear. Ordering online just isn't the same.

The flip belts are great. It keeps my phone from freezing so it continues to track my runs and play my music. I can use my watch to track the run, but I need my phone for music. There is a clip to hold a key if needed. I've ran on call with my belt, holding 2 iPhones and a key. You could carry gels or a credit card easily if needed as well.

Good luck on your 17k run tomorrow! Hopefully the weather improves so you can run outside. That would be a lot of laps on your short track 🤢. We're in backwards land .... we're above freezing and you guys are in the deep freeze now. Crazy!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yep they just put a new MEC in down the road from us which is a bit dangerous for my wallet, but its a great shop. My belt us. Spi belt, but the compartment is barely big enough for my phone. So the flipbelt looks great with the full size compartments. I may do the 17 today as the temp is down to -5 with -10 wind chill. I hope the legs will hold out as I also have to go to a Marlies game tonight which is way downtown by the lake. Feet don’t fail me now!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

That sounds like great weather for your run. I'd go for it! In regards to the game tonight, you just gotta get there and then someone can get you a beer and you've got a couple hours to rest. Perfect! Getting up after the game might be a bit more difficult as the muscles tighten up.....

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Got back in and showered, but didn’t get through the full 17 today. Could only pull off 14. Not sure if it was the extra layer of snow and slush or just me not being 100%, but I stopped early. Something felt off. Could have forced it, but did not want to risk an injury especially with the game tonight. My daughter’s school group is singing the anthem and some carols tonight. Looking forward to the cold beer part though!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Too bad on not making the 17k but 14k is still a great achievement. Sounds like a smart plan to not push it especially with everything that's planned tonight. Running in snow and slush is a lot harder than dry pavement! Sounds like you still earned your beer 😄. Enjoy the game and the singing!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yep, can’t get there on every run, but it was a good day overall and had some overpriced stadium beers too, so all was good 😁

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Do you have a buff to help with the wind chill? I got a light merino one that I thought would be too thin, but it is the best! It is nice and thin so it doesn't chafe and easy to breath through if needed. And surprisingly toasty warm.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

No buff but I have a north face windbreaker with a hood and a huge collar and a felt liner that zips over half your face. That helps a lot!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

That sounds so exciting 😎