Run for the Zoo Virtual Recap

Disclaimer: I am participating in the Lincoln Park Run for the Zoo as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

So I am a bit late in posting this update (I promise I have a legit reason, I'll be posting about that soon too) but last weekend I ran the Virtual Run for the Zoo to benefit the Lincoln Park Zoo. 

Now, there have been a lot of virtual race opportunities lately and it would have been easy to just treat this like another run to tick off a list, but my run bestie, Kim (aka @BarkingMadRun) and I wanted to make this race as special as the organization it was to benefit. So we planned a race day extravaganza ( you can read about the before-race plans here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/04/virtually-running-wild-with-lincoln.html

So here's how it went. 

I got up bright and early on Sunday to head over to Kim's house. She was super gracious to host the event and to map out the course. I had planned to run 10K when I originally registered, but my bad knee was getting worse and worse by the day. I was a bit worried about being able to complete the distance. Kim mapped me a 5K course just in case and I figured if I was still feeling strong after the first lap, I could just do a 2nd. Also Kim ordered some super fun inflatable animals for us to hang out with at the Start/Finish Line in front of her house. They were so cute. I instantly fell in love with the zebra! As soon as I saw him, I knew I'd be riding him! I brought some Animal Crackers for our aid station and Kim also chalked us a Start and Finish Line. Things were looking super festive for our race. 

For my race, since I wasn't super familiar with Kim's neighborhood, she not only gave me a route on a slip of paper, but also she and her awesome hubby drove their golf cart ahead to mark the turns. She also was my mobile water station carrying my water bottle for me so I didn't have to. Basically, they were my heroes. It was awesome to be able to see them up in the distance and wave as I ran past with Kim cheering me on. It was like having my own personal cheering squad.

Unfortunately, as I had sort of suspected, my knee was not up to cooperating for the 10K distance. Shortly past the half way mark, my knee gave out of me and I had to limp it off a bit. I felt okay to keep going for the shorter distance so I pushed on. My awesome race crew was waiting for me around mile 2 for me to grab a drink from my water and I was off again. Another knee give way during the last quarter mile told me for sure that this was it. In fact this ended up being my last run before having knee surgery. I finished my 5K in 26:53 which, considering my knee, I was okay with.

Mobile Water Stop!

After I finished, we had an epic Finisher's Party! Kim and I, having both run our races, changed into our totally adorable finisher's shirts! For an extra donation, you could have gotten a medal that was also super cute and featured the same ostrich as the shirt. 

We had a ton of fun taking a ton of finisher photos with our inflatable friends, and to replicate an "official" finisher's party, Kim's hubby even hooked me up with some finish line beer. He even made us breakfast after! Seriously, I think these two have a future in race day even planning. 

As far as the official business of the virtual, once completed, I entered my results into the Run for the Zoo website. There were several virtual prizes for runners from fastest times to the most money raised and a few random draws as well. The event organizers sent ample emails with lots of information about the event and the zoo, especially where the proceeds went. There was also a Facebook Event page set up for participants to share info and virtually "hang out".

All in all, it was an awesome virtual race. I didn't exactly plan it to be my last run before a 12 week or so hiatus, but it was a heck of a way to go out. 

For more information about the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Run for the Zoo event, check out thier website here. https://www.lpzoo.org/run-zoo

You can also check out Kim's take on the event and her race experience here: http://barkingmadaboutrunning.blogspot.com/2020/06/lincoln-park-zoo-virtual-run-for-zoo.html

And don't worry about the inflatable animals, they have all found really great homes post-race. In fact, one in particular is being spoiled by my little one. I think he likes his new outfit 😀