A Bat-tastic Virtual, Dynamic Duo Style

 I received entry into the DC Batman Virtual Run as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews. 

When I first heard about the DC Batman Virtual Race, I wanted in cause who doesn't love Batman?! Especially when I knew the race was put on by RAM Racing, their SWAG is always top notch and this race was no exception. The 3/4 Zip is cool and comfy and the tech hat is awesome. Love the medal and we even received a GU Waffle (which, full disclosure, I ate before I technically earned it for my race). 

You were able to chose from 2 different distances, 5K or 10K, so the race is good for those of any level. And the beauty of a Virtual race is you can kind of create your own experience. Want to run it alone, do that. Want to race with friends, get them involved. You had a generous time frame to complete the race (between Sept 1 and Dec 1) and I typically run Virtuals near the end to maximize my training so I decided to run my race on Nov 28.

My original plan was to  race it alone for speed (see here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/11/running-with-caped-crusader.html), but a friend asked to join me and lone crusader race became a dynamic duo and I enjoyed it so much more.  We met at the Winthrop Coliseum at 6:30 am which was just a bit before the sun came up (stupid shorter daylight hours) to set off. The weather had been a bit spotty with rain threatening, but I decided to risk it and not run in a rain jacket and luckily my gamble paid off. There was a bit of drizzle off and on, but to be honest we didn't get much wetter than just normal sweating. 

We did run/walk intervals at first by feel, but settled into running for .9 mile and walking .1 over the 6.2 miles. It was really enjoyable to run with a friend without any real pressure in the early morning hours, so I was super glad she decided to join me. Our only real stop was a quick picture break at the halfway point, because the Fountain Park in Downtown Rock Hill is just too pretty, especially all lit up right before sunrise, that we just had to. 

We looped back to the Coliseum for triumphant "finish line" pics and I had finally earned my epic gear.

We even synced it up to run at the same time as 2 friends that live outside the area. We texted "Go" at the start and then video chatted after, showing off our medals and swag. 

 

Seriously this stuff is NICE! The 3/4 zip is super soft and a bit lined so it will be a perfect layer for winter runs. The tech hat is really comfy as well. And the medal is super cool! I mean, it is Batman, how could it not be. I love how the ribbon is double sided with the cool Batman log

Overall, it was a great event. I highly recommend any of the DC race series events.

So here's my question for you, so far, there have been  Wonder Woman and Batman Virtual, which is the next superhero you'd love to see a run feature? Let me know in the comments below! 

Virtual Overload!

  I received entry into the DC Batman Virtual Run and A Christmas Story Virtual Run as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews. 

I love running races. Like a lot. The nervousness at the start line. The spectators cheering. The need to push myself to just pass one more person. The excitement of turning the corner and seeing the finish line. The atmosphere after. I have missed that all so much this year.

Without live races, I have been doing my best to stay motived and make do with Virtual Races. I've been doing a few here and there, but this week is a doozie of a race week for me, 3 Virtual Races!!

I will have earned all 3 of these by the end of the week! 

First up, I completed the Charlotte Marathon Virtual Half Marathon this past Saturday. I have been doing the Fleet Feet Fort Mill Half Marathon Training Group and this week we were scheduled for a 12 mile run and the date lined up with the last weekend of the Charlotte Marathon 17 day Virtual Racing window, so I figured, why not, what is 1.1 more miles! I love the Charlotte Marathon, it's my local larger race living just over the boarder from Charlotte and I've run it live several years, so I wanted to continue to support the race Virtually. Plus the SWAG was amazing. Seriously, in addition to the standard race shirt and medal, this year I also received a pair of Feetures socks, a hat of our choice and an extra shirt of our choice and a Novant Health Buff. I am so in love with my new #RunCharlotte light hoodie. I am totally a sucker for light hoodies. I talked another FFFM group member into running the 13.1 mile distance with me (seriously, after 12, what is 1.1 more!) so I had a bit of company. And, I finished the race a good 10 minutes faster than the virtual Half I ran 2 weeks earlier. So yay!

SWAG for DAAAAAAYS

Next up I am running the America's Turkey Trot tomorrow on Thankgsiving morning. This is one that I just had to register for due to the SWAG. Enmotive has some of the best race SWAG out there (those of you who run Hot Chocolate races know what I am talking about) and the Turkey Trot jackets looked AMAZING. So much so, I talked several friends into doing it with me. 2 of us are doing 10K while the others do 5K. The 10Kers are starting a half hour earlier and swinging back to pick up the 5Kers and we'll finish together. And then of course we will all don our amazing jackets and medals for a finish line fashion shoot!

Last up on Saturday I will be running the DC Batman Run 10K. You can see my full post about it here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/11/running-with-caped-crusader.html but long story short, Batman is cool and the SWAG is top notch! I am also excited about running this one full out (unlike the other Virtuals I am doing this week) to see where my 10K time is. I know it won't be as fast as a live race where I can compete with others, but my knee is feeling a lot better these days and I am consistently running under 11 pace these days so I am going to try to push as close to an hour as I can. My last "official" 10K was back in October where my knee was really struggling still and I ran a 1:14 time and I know I can beat that no problem. Also I am "meeting" a friend who lives in another area to run it with virtually. We're planning to start at the same time and checking in via video chat after. I'll be sure to post how I did after! 

Until then, I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Running with the Caped Crusader

 I received entry into the DC Batman Virtual Run as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews. 

So 2020 is still doing it's thing so you know what that means, Virtual Races are still the primary type of races being offered. That's ok, this girl loves her a good virtual race! I've done several now (you can read about them all over this blog), covering the gambit of the my Top 5 Benefits of Racing Virtually - which you can check out here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-benefits-of-racing-virtually.html 

Now this next Virtual race I have coming up, this one I wanted to do purely for reason #2 - Earn Fun Bling. Seriously, you cannot get much cooler than Caped Crusader, and that is who this race is all about, Batman.

Just check out some of this awesomeness!

     🦇 Stylish Fitted
           Quarter Zip 

     🦇 Finisher’s Medal

     🦇 Tech Running Hat 

     🦇 Personalized Bib

Races have until December 1st to register and run their race, which is only a few weeks away, so don't delay if you want to join in. SWAG mails quickly, in fact, I have already received mine all waiting for me to run my 10K (there is also a 5K option). Since I am still making some slow, but steady progress from my knee surgery, I am waiting until the last minute to run my race, hoping to put in the fastest time possible. I was hoping to be able to break an hour, but that is looking a bit like a bridge too far yet, but I will certainly push my hardest. 

To register, visit: https://dcbatmanrun.com/virtual/. The shirts are long sleeve tech and are gender specific cut (you can choose which shirt option no matter the gender you register). There are also some fun add ons, a stainless steel water bottle or Batman neck gaiter, that you can purchase.

And lastly, a portion of each race registration will go to support St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.