We runners are competitive by nature—if not with others, then certainly with ourselves. We don’t think twice about devoting several months to a single race, nor about braving the elements, sacrificing sleep, COVID-19 Relief Races.
With the cancellation of the spring (and quite possibly summer) racing season, that internal fire is rising to the surface in a number of creative ways that not even shelved goals or city lockdowns can suppress. As we ride out the uncertainty and dream of races to come, here are some alternative outlets to unleash your competitive drive.
Race Virtually
This is a great way to see how you stack up against opponents in different places. If you were slated to compete in the coming months, first check to see how organizers are adjusting. Running USA offers a current (though not exhaustive) list of race cancellations, postponements, and changes, including a section devoted to races gone virtual. Several well-established races, like the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and the Pittsburgh Marathon, Races - Places.
New events are popping up by the day. The Un-Canceled Project race series by Run the Edge is free, runs all April long, and features 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, and ultramarathon options. Virtual Run Events is putting on a number of Advertisement - Continue Reading Below, which also include a range of distances and cost $22 each, a portion of which goes to a coronavirus-related cause.
Spar on Strava
Tap into Strava’s road and trail network and then track your runs, pore through the data, and contend with athletes around the world for segment domination (which comes with the titles of King of the Mountain, Queen of the Mountain, and Course Record holder). A Strava login is free and can be upgraded to Summit membership, with advanced features for $5 per month (after a free 30-day trial).
Try a Time Trial
Go old-school by racing the clock at a local track or on a marked course near your home. They may not have the atmosphere or official results of an organized race, but time trials are a great way to monitor your progress, stay focused on your goals, and not get too far removed from the racing mentality.
Time trials are also good practice in pacing and pushing yourself, two skills that can get lost when you exclusively train and race with others. For more tips on training like you’re preparing for a race, even when you aren’t, read this.
Work Out With the Pros
Several top runners have been stepping up in response to country-wide gym closures by sharing strength and core routines with their cooped-up fans. Check out Gwen Jorgensen’s At Home Gym Session, Emily Sisson’s Core Series, Molly Huddle’s Band Exercises, and Emma Coburn’s 5-Minute Home Workout, and keep the exercises you like most in your regular rotation.
Do a Running Scavenger Hunt
Inspired by a children’s bear hunt, a trend taking off in neighborhoods around the world, one Massachusetts running group is hosting its own version of the scavenger hunt for adults. Participants post the designated symbol—a heart with the club’s letters in it—in a first-floor window of their home and share a general neighborhood reference with the group. Teammates then hunt down the hearts on runs or walks, photograph as many as they find, and post their catches to the group’s Facebook feed.
Accept a Social Media Challenge
These help you to stay connected to friends and training partners while also breaking a sweat. The See 10, Do 10 pushup challenge was one of the first to gain traction and is now spawning variations featuring canned food, spouses, babies, and pets.
If space isn’t an issue, consider the #SpartanHome obstacle course challenge. Even if it is, vie with Pan Shancu’s or Elisha Nochomovitz’s eye-popping feats—ultramarathons completed in a living room and balcony, respectively—if you dare. (Just don’t hold me accountable for any injuries that follow.)
[How One Runner Is Virtually Racing Every Week Free Workout Streaming Services to Use at Home.]
Start a Streak
Shoes & Gear running, stretching, yoga, core, strength training, or form drills. was published in 2016 said so well, it’s a great time to work on aspects of your training that are easily neglected during seasons of heavy training and racing.
Start with something you’ll ideally be able to keep up with post-pandemic chaos, build it into your routine, and enjoy the satisfaction of ticking off your one thing, day after day after day.
Becky Wade is a three-time Olympic Trials competitor with a 2:30 marathon best. Her book about global running cultures, Run the World, was published in 2016.
