This weekend I did my second virtual race of the summer–the Scooby Doo Virtual Run. This is one of many 100% virtual races that have become so popular in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While I’m not usually interested in virtual races, with a canine running buddy named Scooby, how could I resist this one?
Garmin time for 3.15 miles: 30:05
Scooby Doo Virtual Run And Other Race Dilemmas
I usually don’t hesitate before deleting virtual race emails unread, but I opened, read, and saved the email about the Scooby Doo Virtual Run. When I clicked through to the race website I was torn between the $40 entry fee and the Scooby Doo bling. In the end, the bling won out.
The Ruh-Roh! on the sleeve is a cute touch!
I resisted the add-on canine bling–I figured the bandanna would be too small for Scooby’s thick neck–but was impressed by the quality of the medal, long-sleeve hoodie, and aluminum water bottle. I chose Saturday as our race day, and Scooby cooperated with fewer stops than usual. 😉
In other race news, the only race still on my calendar for 2020–the Richmond Half Marathon–announced interesting options for the November event:
- Run a marked race course on the Virginia Capital Trail in Richmond sometime between November 7-22.
- Participate virtually by running 13.1 miles on your own.
- Defer your registration to 2021 or 2022.
- Apply your registration another event by the same organization.
- Donate your registration to the organization.
I really like that they are offering a “real” option with a marked course, even if it probably is an out-and-back on that trail. But, I really can’t see driving to Richmond to do it. I’ll probably end up deferring my registration and hope to be able to run the original course next year. If you signed up for Richmond, what will you choose?
Weekly Run Down
This week I made two investments in my working-out-at-home life: a new running leash and a new yoga mat.
I thought I needed a shorter running leash–we’ve both been tripping over it unless I hold it, which defeats the purpose–until I realized Scooby had stretched out the bungee sections of the old one, making it longer and not springy. I chose this one to have a place to stash my phone on days I don’t have any pockets–i.e., when all my SkirtSports gear is in the laundry.
^^Amazon Affiliate Link^^
I’ve been eyeing the thick rubber stall mats people are installing in their home gyms, but I am afraid to move my 20 year old treadmill to install them. I am so grateful it is still running strong–knock-on-wood–and don’t want to mess with it! While I explore/debate/agonize over other options, I decided I could at least get a new, thicker yoga mat. Even this purchase sent me down a quest-for-the-perfect-yoga-mat rabbit hole, until I decided to go with a familiar brand that didn’t suggest treating your new mat to a salt scrub.
^^Amazon Affiliate Link^^
These aren’t major investments, but it’s often the little things that make a difference in your daily fitness routine.
Monday: 5.25 Scooby Miles + 20 min Peloton Core Workout
The weather was fantastic, so I took Scooby on a longer run before braving a 20 min core workout.
Tuesday: 2.4 Scooby Miles + 1.75 Treadmill Miles + 20 min Strength
I made it a punk rock running day with Chase Tucker’s 20 min punk rock outdoor run and 30 min punk rock bootcamp. Such fun playlists!
Wednesday: 1.4 Scooby Miles + 2 Treadmill Miles + 40 min Strength
I thought I could beat the rain with Scooby, but it caught us pretty quickly, so I headed home and hopped on the treadmill for a few miles before knocking out some strength workouts.
Thursday: 7. o Miles + 20 min Strength
A morning errand–having to get my car inspected–gave me a reason to go for a run along the bike path. I figured I could fit in a 6 mile run and dash to Starbucks before they opened at 8:00, but ended up running 7 miles and putting off my Starbucks stops until after my car was done.
Oh, how I’ve missed views like this!
After dinner I did a 10 min Peloton core workout and the Matt Wilpers 10 min Strength for Runners workout that’s mostly hips and glutes PT exercises.
Friday: 29 Miles Cycling + 40 min Peloton Strength
I started my day with upper body and core workouts on the Peloton app and then met Deborah and Debbie for a bike ride.
We had a great time riding a bit further west than usual!
Saturday: 5K Scooby Doo Virtual Run +22 Miles Cycling + 10 min Peloton Core
After running 5K with Scooby, I did a 10 min core workout and then lots of post-run stretching. Then, after a leisurely breakfast, my husband and I went out for a 22 mile ride from our house. It was cloudy when we started out, and we felt a few rain drops along the way, but then it was sunny.
Sunday: 3.2 Scooby Miles + 20 min Peloton Strength
Did I mention that the humidity is back? I was dripping after this short run, and forgot to wear a wristband, so there was nothing I could do about it!
All that debris in the driveway is from squirrels
munching branches off our oak tree!
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. Even if my weeks are pretty much the same, I enjoy seeing what others are doing.
Have you heard of other races offering DIY marked routes?
Do you agonize over minor purchases?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Anyone with a dog named Scooby has to do the scooby race and get the bling for it! So great to ride somewhere new with you both. It was really fun. I like the idea of a marked course. I probably would not drive that far to run this one but it’s nice they offer it.I would defer. That race always seems to have issues for you! Maybe it’s a sign 🙂
It really is a sign that I never should sign up for a race that’s down 95S!
I saw that virtual race and immediately thought of you! Glad you did it! You kind of have to! Now that you mention it, I could use a new yoga mat as well. I was close to buying a Manduka one, but I never did. Truly I need to get back to doing more yoga. How fun to ride with the girls!
I snuck in a 20 min yoga class as a mid-afternoon break, but it’s not relaxing when I know I have to get back to work.
Of course you had to do the Scooby Do virtual! Really nice swag (better be for that price, right?).
Most of the time I’m pretty decisive, but sometimes your head could explode from all the options!
My treadmill is just as old, kinda like my car. I think both are most likely coming to the ends of their lives, although thankfully they both still work.
A hands free leash was a big game changer for me when I ran with Bandit.
I agonize over the silliest purchases, than kick myself for wasting so much time on it! So far I don’t regret my new mat.
Probably because you handle all those big lawyer decisions so well! We only have so much decision making capability. Truth! That’s why they say to handle the harder ones earlier in the day.
Nice job and of course you should have done the Scooby virtual race! I have a virtual race coming up in September that is on the actual course, which is why I’m planning on doing it. My favorite Turkey Trot half marathon will be the same, but I know that course like the back of my hand!
Oh, I really would love to do a virtual race on a marked course — I just wouldn’t want to drive 2+ hours in traffic to do it. 😉
Oh my gosh I can be so cheap on the small stuff sometimes. I had to really pinch my pennies when I was younger and sometimes I just have to laugh at myself. Congrats on your Scooby run! I agree, if there was a Shepherd-Lab Mix themed race I would pony up the entry fee in a heartbeat.
Hah! Old habits like that die hard — and aren’t necessarily bad! Hmm, what famous shepherd-lab mix dogs are there? I think the Bionic Dog was a shepherd, right? (My husband watches those old tv shows ….)
What a fitting virtual race! Those are great options for the Richmond half-marathon. I like that they are giving so many different options and its nice that one of them is to run on the actual course. I think it would be fun to do a race like that if it was close to home.
I think more races are trying different things, now that they’ve had some time to consider other options.
I’m not a huge fan of virtual races either but the Scooby Doo one would have been a hard one to pass up – what a fun theme for a race and all the swag looks really cool too! I like that the Richmond Half is giving a few different options to runners – so many races are just like you can run virtual or defer and thats it.
Awesome job with all your workouts this week! Glad you enjoyed the punk rock bootcamp as much as I did!
I really have enjoyed all of CT’s punk rock workouts — I think I still have a strength one to do.
Well, I was all set to run my (now) virtual 20K on September 5th, with a group of other runners, on the actual course…but that ain’t happening LOL I’ll have to do something different in a couple months when I can resume lacing up the running shoes. Yay for Scooby and his race 😉
I’m sure you’ll be back in action soon, but a 20K in 2 weeks sounds like a bit much a bit soon. 😉
You had so many good workouts this week! And, how could you not do that virtual race!? What fun swag!
I’m glad Richmond is offering several options instead of only giving a virtual option. I never got around to registering for Richmond before things started shutting down, but would like to run it next year. Maybe we finally get to meet up 😉
Seriously! If not there, we’ll have to make it happen somewhere!
I love that you did the Scooby run for good ol’ Scoobs! The swag is impressive…I should have looked closer at that one! How fun.
Awesome week, so much variety and I love that you were able to meet up with two bloggers for a bike ride!
It was a fun meet up! I can’t wait until it’s cool enough to wear the hoodie!
I love the Scooby hoodie as well as the medal – totally worth the USD 40!
That’s so nice that you get so many options for Richmond Half. I think I would go for no. 2, running it virtually on my own.
So nice that you got to do that long bike ride with Deborah and Debbie! Looks like you all made a special effort to wear colourful outfits as well! So cool!
Hah! We did not coordinate in advance, but cycling jersey’s tend to be bright.
I love it! The Scooby bling was totally worth the price of registration. I would have done the same!
You had a great week in workouts!
It really is the little things. Even pre COVID I spent an extra couple of bucks on a pretty yoga mat, because why not have it make you smile when you look at it? That’s good swag, even if you weren’t obligated by pup’s name to do the race. I’m not motivated by virtuals either, but if there’s a reason I’ll do it.
Richmond is the one you defered last year that was a bday run, right? Maybe a future year will link up with your bday again?
You have a good memory on Richmond. I think it will be a few more years before it falls on my birthday again!
November babies have to stick together!
When I saw your photo on insta with the medal, I knew there was no way you could resist a race with that name!! The Richmond race has given a number of good options. I’d probably defer too or do the first option of running a marked course.
If the marked course were closer to home, I would definitely choose that option!
How could you and Scooby not run that race, and the swag looks really nice! It was so nice seeing you and Deborah on Friday. It had been way too long!
It was a great time!
Great job on your workouts this week. How fun about the virtual race! I like the hoodie and water bottle.
I would defer and hope that it is held next year.