Marathon Race Day

 

This morning I'll be running my first ever virtual marathon. I don't really know what to expect as far as how it will feel. I have a few friends and family members who are coming out to cheer a bit, but other than that the course will be spectator-free.

It'll also feel a little strange to have no other runners on the course. I might come across a couple runners and will definitely see a few walkers, but otherwise I'll have the paths to myself.

It's funny — I have been treating this virtual race as a real race pretty much since I started training for it. I've raced a marathon every year since 2009, and I didn't want to go a year without one, so I decided a virtual race would "count" as my marathon for the year.

My course is eleven 2.4 mile laps along the outside of Eagan's Central Park. I figure running 26.4 is close to what I'd get if I ran an official race, so I'm going to go the full eleven laps.

Eleven laps sounds a little monotonous, but I've run about half of my long runs there this training cycle so I can leave water at one spot and not have to carry it.

I enjoy the course. It goes through a short wooded section with a marsh and most of the route there's a view of the Sperry Tower for most of the run.

Sperry Tower <Image Credit>

Since there won't be much of a race day atmosphere, I decided to do something I've never done before — run with headphones. I won't be listening the entire way. I've got a playlist to play one song each lap. It might pump me up a bit and will be something to look forward to.

Thanks to everyone who donated to World Vision. I'll have a wrist band to dedicate a mile to each person or family who has donated.

Wish me luck!