Virtual 5k

Okay, so my virtual friend has proposed that we (the couch to 5kers) do a Virtual 5k. Kind of like a coming out (like the olden parties when you were introduced to society), but without all of the people watching us do it. I figured I should be in my 8th week of the program by then (knock on wood) so I'll be running for 28 minutes anyway, why not race for it? I know my time will be atrocious compared to the people already completed with the program, but eh. I'll do it for me.

However, I do not have to be the only one doing this Virtual 5k. You can do it too! Here, have some details from 's original post.

When: July 12-13
What: 5k and 2 Mile virtual race
Who: walkers, beginner runners, c25k grads

Register Now

Why participate in the C25K Virtual Race Weekend?
This is the perfect opportunity for you to get your feet wet with racing without the added pressure of a huge crowd or an unfamiliar route. If you've raced before, this can be your chance for a new PR or to practice for your next race.

How does it work?
You simply choose the best time and place for you, measure out the distance, and run! Keep track of your time and then post a new entry in this community with your time, race report, and pictures if you have them by noon on Monday, July 14th. We'll post the official results Monday night.

Who should participate?
Everyone!! To accommodate those still in the program as well as the graduates, we have 2 distances and 3 divisions. You can run either a 5K or a 2 Mile race and we'll recognize the top 3 runners in the following divisions: current c25k runners, c25k graduates, walkers.

I'm in! Now What?
First, make sure you register so we know what division and distance you are running in (you can run both distances if you want, but must register separately for each).

Second, tell us a little about you and your running, and help us promote the race. Post an entry in your own journal telling us about your running (how did you start, why do you do it, etc) and what your goals are for the Virtual Race Weekend. Post a link to your post in the comments so we can check it out.

She just said it so well, I didn't feel like paraphrasing.

So. Me and my running. I think I'm gonna take a cue from this fellow runner for my questions.

1. When did you start running?

My first run was on May 23rd, 2008. Before that I'd always said that I had such bad knees and ankles that running would be a stupid fantasy. Even in elementary school, when they made us run, I didn't run properly. I'm sure being overweight and out of shape didn't help, but I hated running with a firey passion of doom. So yeah, May 23rd, 2008, and not a single day before. Ever.

2. Did you follow a plan (C25K etc.) to get you started running? If so, what plan did you use? If not, how did you go about getting started?

I'm currently plugging away on the couch to 5k program, and hating loving every minute of it. No, I kid. I don't really like the running in and of itself. I love the before and after feeling. More on this in a minute.

3. Why did you start running?

. . . Because if the zombies come, I would die. And yes, you have permission to take that with a grain of salt. Through a friend I found The Post Apocalyptic Workout. And yeah, it's about what would you do if the zombies would come, and yes, if they came, I would probably die, but it's also about all of the other terrible possibilities in the world that if something disastrous happened, I'd want to be physically and mentally fit enough to handle it. And if, in the process of preparing myself for the hopefully non-immanent zombie invasion, I slim down, get stronger, condition myself to run for an hour, and learn good things to know anyway, like basic first aid? All's the better.

4. Now that you are running regularly, what do you find to be the biggest benefits?

Before and after--definitely not the during. As I said before, I don't really like running (although the more I do it, the more I forget how much I don't like it), but I like the anticipation of accomplishing a goal, I like how I feel when I've finished my run for the day (accomplished, endorphins, whatever), I love being able to say "I ran twenty minutes today." I love that I can do things now without getting winded (like walking up stairs, or running down the street to catch up with my friend). I love being outside and seeing wildlife on my runs.

5. What are your future plans for running? Short-term and Long-range.

After finishing c2k5 the first time, I plan to do it again. I'm currently adding 25 minute walks to the end of each of my runs, and when I finish I want to go through the program again. I think what I'm going to do is to double the length of my second program, week 1 run week 1 faster, going for speed, followed by 30 minutes of walking. Week 1 run 30 minutes followed by week 1 of c25k normal. I think. I'm not sure about the logistics just yet.

Longterm, I'm planning to run the Peachtree Road Race next year. My parents reserve me a number every year, in hopes that one day I'd get up early on July 4th and run 10k (HA!), but this next year, I'm seriously gonna do it. When I get back state side, I plan to sign up for a 5k.

6. What are your personal goals for the Virtual 5K?

Less than 50 minutes. I can currently walk 5 minutes, run 20 minutes, and get back to my car in about 25 minutes. By week 8 I should have cut that time down considerably, but that's my current goal.

7. Do you have a music “theme song” that you will use for this race?

As I've said before, I don't listen to music during my runs. I'll probably be done with my current book, Stephen King's The Green Mile and haven't decided what I'm going to listen to next. Probably something funny, maybe some Terry Pratchett.

If you're interested, this is my 5k race plan. I had to do it in miles, so it's a very little off, I'll make up for it on race day.