virtual running | I Do Run

It is 1:30 AM EST as I write this – I just completed my 30 minute “fin” (aka – leg, but we’re talking mermaid talk here) of the Mermaid Series 24 Hour Relay. I actually ran/walked for about an hour on the treadmill with my friend, Kristi, who was on her treadmill at her home. We did a video conference call while we did the same Peloton running workout on the TV.

This was a total first for me and I’m sure for Kristi and a lot of the other runners doing this relay. Here we are, in the middle of a pandemic, having to be physically distant from people, running a relay by ourselves and then virtually handing it off to people who are also running by themselves all over the country and the world (they have runners from Singapore, Australia, England and other parts of Europe).

This really speaks to the ingenuity of the human spirit when it comes to obtaining and maintaining connection. We are not meant to be solitary creatures.

The Mermaid Race series did a great job of keeping the continuity of the relay. They have race directors for each segment and also “run buddies” who are Mermaid Ambassadors who run each segment so that people didn’t feel like they were running alone. There were five runners in each relay “fin”. As I write this, there are still openings available for the 2:30 AM – 5 AM “fins” and then 5:30-6:30 AM “fins”. I am really tempted to keep running since I am still awake.

What is this need of mine to keep running in the middle of the night knowing that I have a big day of cooking tomorrow?

Maybe it’s the lure of being a part of something bigger than my little life? Maybe it’s the satisfaction of knowing I can do this? Maybe it’s late at night and I am delirious?

Whatever it is, I’m still awake at 2:45 EST so I’ll do another little run with these fun-loving Mermaids! Gimme a Fin-Five!!

Update at 4:30 AM – I walked another 2 “fins” while watching a stand up comedy routine by a hilarious and wise Latina. Not high mileage, but now I feel like I can sleep knowing I helped keep the relay going…

©️ 2020 iido

I am a runner who loves FREE stuff so when I heard about a FREE race, I was all, “Where do I sign up?” When I heard that the race was a 24 hour relay hosted by the Mermaid Running Series (one of my favorite races when I was in San Jose, CA), I was even more excited! I am a night owl and now my nighttime wakefulness superpower can finally be put to good use!

Thank you to my friend and fellow MRTT/SRTT Chapter Leader, Katie for telling me about this run. Katie has run numerous Mermaid races out in CA. She also introduced me to the Taji 100. She doesn’t even have to “triple dog dare” me to get me to sign up for these awesome physical challenges. (Do you guys remember that TV show?)

I signed up for a slot after my friend, Kristi (who also completed the Taji 100 with me this past February). We’re going to run our miles “together”, meaning running separately in our own houses on our own treadmills while we video chat. I’ll be joining her for her “fin” (aka, leg) of the relay and she will be joining for my “fin”. We chose the 11:30-midnight, midnight-12:30 “fins” as we’ve never run “over two days” before! Haha! I’m so thankful for friends who are willing to join me on these crazy adventures!

I am also very appreciative of the 3rd hand treadmill we have at home. It is loud and it shakes if you run between 3.2-4.7 miles per hour. but it’s been keeping me moving during these days of shelter in place.

So, 1 hour of running at midnight…and maybe more, as they still need people for the slots between 12:30 AM – 6 AM EST….oh gosh, my brain is saying, “You’ll be awake anyway…” Should I sign up for another slot??

I’ll be back to give an update on this run! If you’re one of my readers who runs (especially if you’re international), please consider signing up and let me know if you do!

The relay starts at 8 AM PST (so 11 AM EST for me)…you can follow the race on their Facebook page and also check out other cool races they have including their FREE virtual on June 20th.