Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K

Today, I participated in my first virtual 5K, the second annual Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K in honor of Katie Foster's birthday!  Katie began the Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K on her birthday last year and she had such a great turnout, so she decided to do it again this year.  I've heard a lot about virtual races and I was looking for the right virtual race to get my feet wet.  Katie's blog was one of the first blogs I started following and when I heard about her virtual race, I was excited to participate!

Happy Birthday, Katie! 

If you have never participated in a virtual race before, it is a race done on your own, as your schedule allows, which is nice for me, because this means it is not an early wake up call as most races are!  A virtual race gives you the flexibility to participate outside or on a treadmill and to run or walk as you'd like.  In this case, Katie asked us to run or walk 3.1 miles (5K) today (her birthday) and post our results to her Facebook page, as well as on her blog.

I loved the accountability provided by signing up to do the virtual race!  I took another rest day yesterday and I was really looking forward to logging some miles today and tomorrow, particularly since the weather was supposed to be so nice.  In all honesty, I should have gone for my run first thing this morning, particularly since my children decided to wake up earlier than normal, but I slept so poorly last night, that staying in bed and attempting to get more sleep proved to be the winning option.  After a busy day, Jack and I settled in for a late nap and I nearly missed my window of daylight to go for a run.  It was so tempting to stay in bed, but I really wanted to participate in the virtual 5K, so I got up, threw on my running clothes and headed out the door to do a quick run in our neighborhood before the sun set.

I have to say, I missed running on my normal (flat) trail, but getting in some hills was probably very beneficial for my training.  I guess I never realized how hilly parts of our subdivision are.  It's always a little different running in the neighborhood and dealing with cars and dogs, but it was a nice change of pace.  My pace was a little slower due to the hills, I suppose, and the fact that I haven't run since Monday, but overall it was a great run and I'm glad I was able to participate in the virtual race.

Side note: I just figured out to screen shot on my phone!  I might be the worst iPhone user ever.  Thanks, Mer, for teaching me this! 

Katie also provided downloads for a race bib (see above) and t-shirt logo, which was a really nice touch.  She is also offering a few Runner's World subscriptions as prizes!  I'm keeping my finger's crossed, but even if I don't win, I will be purchasing the April issue for sure since Katie will be featured along with her Ragnar Relay team. 

I hope Katie continues her birthday tradition next year!  It was a great experience and I've enjoyed reading the recaps from other participants.  

Did you participate in the Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K? 

"Either you run the day or the day runs you."