Food Truck 5k Race - Virtual
I ran this race in my local neighborhood. I had plans to drive somewhere, but the air quality was steadily getting worse due to local fires so I got out the door and ran asap to beat the smoke. This run became more of a run/walk since my son kept jumping out of the stroller to pick berries, follow squirrels, look at a snail and pick up sticks. Ha! That’s racing with a toddler for you! I had fun no matter what; and let’s be honest, running while 32 weeks pregnant is not going to win me any speed records anyway! I was just proud to have completed the race! It was great that I could do this race anywhere, because it made it easy to get out and run with a stroller. I wish I could have run on their live course, but it was a little far for me to drive in person.

Silicon Valley 10k Race - Virtual
I ran the 10k on a weekend and chose a course that would really entertain my toddler riding in the stroller, the Golden Gate Bridge. I had some great views and was right by the water for that extra SF Bay breeze! I actually felt better running the 10k than I did on the 5k. Running the race in a new location made it seem more like a race and wearing my race bib got me some cheers from others on the bridge. I even ran into a few other runners out doing virtual races! One offered to take my picture. I would definitely recommend wearing your race bib, even on virtual races, to get some support from other runners or walkers around and help keep your mindset in the right place. It is still a race, after all. Challenge yourself and make it seem like you are still meeting up for the live event.

Run 2.0 Challenge
Medals and swag from the running the Run 2.0 Challenge was amazing! I snagged a shirt for the 5k, a shirt for the 10k, medals for both races, and a bonus medal for completing the challenge! These medals were BIG and high quality.

Was It Worth It?
This was definitely a virtual race I would do again, though I hope it is in person next year! I felt like the race organizers were on it every step of the way. Having live courses you could run was an awesome perk, just one I wasn’t really able to use due to distance from my house, being pregnant and bringing a toddler along! Their communication was on point through email and social media. I also loved that the swag arrived at my house before race week so I could earn it immediately after my run, just like at a live race.

I definitely hope to do this race in the future and hope you will join me!