We also have a huge list of Awareness Days that may be National or Worldwide, that we tap into regularly.
Then we have events that will suddenly ‘pop up’ from nowhere! And we’ve all experienced one of those lately, haven’t we?
And of course, we have our secret weapons........Sam and Vicky!!
Let’s face it most of the ideas are floating around in their heads on a daily basis just waiting to POP out and are discussed at a planning session before a creative brief is decided and so the process takes over.
]]>What came first? The chicken or the egg?
An age-old debate that will rumble on and on for more years than I will be here!
Another question for you......
Which comes first the medal or the charity?
IDEAS
Well, the answer to that question is ‘both!’
We have been lucky enough lately to have had lots of charity nominations from you, our fabulous members, and we use this information to start the ball rolling.
We also have a huge list of Awareness Days that may be National or Worldwide, that we tap into regularly.
Then we have events that will suddenly ‘pop up’ from nowhere! And we’ve all experienced one of those lately, haven’t we?
And of course, we have our secret weapons........Sam and Vicky!!
Let’s face it most of the ideas are floating around in their heads on a daily basis just waiting to POP out and are discussed at a planning session before a creative brief is decided and so the process takes over.
The Process
After Vicky has sketched the creative ideas, off they go to our designer, who will then follow the brief and come up with designs for all our super medals. Do they all become challenges? Well let's see what happens next!
Once Sam and Vicky are happy with the designs, off they go to the factory with their specifications and a mould is made of the medal. A sample will be sent back to Sam and Vicky for approval before full production can commence.
Now this is where it gets interesting everyone, because if you follow Virtual Racing UK closely you will know that these two can spar like Ali and Liston! (EEEK! My P45 could be heading my way!) Come on, they are sisters after all!
Some medals just don’t make the cut for all sorts of reasons.
And lastly, the girls just wouldn’t be happy with it dropping through their letter boxes let alone their member’s letterboxes!
Once they are both happy, production can start.
The Charities
Sometimes Sam and Vicky have a charity in mind for the designs before they go in to production but often a charity needs to be found and linked to certain challenges.
This is where I can use your nominations and the Awareness Days for research to try to find the correct challenge for Charity.
A simple email, introducing Virtual Racing UK, is the first step in this part of the process and believe me when I say that quite a lot of charities don’t reply, so don’t think we haven’t bothered with your nomination, we have but they may just not have got back to us. Persistence pays off in most cases though.
This is when I can start to link charities to challenges and allocate medals to the appropriate charity, start an agreement to promote the challenge and then launch the challenge for you lovely lot to sign up for.
It’s a great part of my job when the charities do get in touch, especially when we can zoom on the Q&A session, putting faces to names for all our members. It really does help and the passion for what they do really comes across.
The next step is where you, our members, play the biggest part, because without you signing up to our challenges where would VRUK be and those fabulous charities would be left with one less fundraising avenue to go down.
I think we all agree that this process produces some fabulous medals and we help lots of well deserving charities from around the country and in fact charities that are world-wide.
So, hopefully the question has been answered and you know a little more about the process and the way Virtual Racing Uk and our numerous charities work together very successfully.
I will leave you with this........What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Debate!
Carol xx
]]>But not everyone can or wants to go down the route of hiring someone else to design their fitness routine, so if you want to take charge of your own plan, here are a few tips you can use to become your own PT!!
]]>But not everyone can or wants to go down the route of hiring someone else to design their fitness routine, so if you want to take charge of your own plan, here are a few tips you can use to become your own PT!!
Be realistic and safe
• We all want to push ourselves but it’s important to do this gradually and safely!
• Set yourself weekly goals such as ‘Run 20 minutes 3 x per week
• Assess goals monthly
• When increasing think about intensity as well as duration
Selfie time
• We all know scales can be somewhat arbitrary measurement of weight
• The best way to see results is to photo yourself in underwear
• Checking your progress monthly
• If you want to you could use a tape measure to assess key areas too such as biceps, waist, hips and thighs
Spice up your life!
• One of the many reasons PT’s are successful is they change routines and introduce us to new things
• Make sure you put at least one new exercise routine into your plan on a monthly basis
• Try something you wouldn’t normally do
• Use those other muscle groups!!
Workout buddy
• PT’s work as you have to show up, you’ve booked the appointment (plus they’re charging!)
• So why not make yourself accountable by having a workout buddy
• This doesn’t have to be every workout. But if you know you’re likely to skip a class, or run session, then make sure you get yourself a buddy who will make you turn up!
World Wide Web
• There are so many free workout schedules online
• Things such as couch to 5K all the way up to marathon training
• Download a plan and track your progress!!
So if you don’t have a PT, why not become your own PT!
What do we really know about this truly remarkable woman and her legacy?
Born 12.5.1820, Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp, was an English Social Reformer, Statistician and the Founder of Modern Nursing, who came to prominence whilst serving as a Manager and Trainer of Nurses during the Crimea War in which she organised care for wounded soldiers in Constantinople.
Now, I have to admit, that might be all I can remember from my history lesson!
Florence was born in Florence, Italy, to a very good family who moved in all the elite social circles of the day but this life didn’t really suit the rather awkward, shy Florence and she very often clashed with her mother (oh, I wouldn’t dare!)
It was evident from as early as 16, when Florence was already caring for the poor, ill and needy, that she was destined for a life other than social climbing and marriage to a ‘suitable’ young man. In fact, Florence had already stated that looking after the ill and poor was her ‘Divine Purpose’.
And so her career began
Florence soon rose through the ranks of Nursing, beginning in Germany then onto London where she founded the St Thomas’s Hospital and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses. This building now houses the Florence Nightingale Museum.
So, we know about her Nursing but where does the Statistician part come in?
Florence really was a remarkable woman who was helped by Queen Victoria in her study of Army Morality providing data that helped the Armed Forces look at modern sanitisation as 16,000 of 18,000 deaths in the Army were not from battle but preventable diseases.
Her work was truly inspiring and also caused her downfall as at the age of 38 she contracted ‘Crimean Fever’ and was to spend the rest of her long life homebound and bed bound.
Later Life
A mere mortal may have been stopped in their tracks at this point but not Florence, who continued her work, holding court to many a Prime Minister and influential men and women of the time, from her bed!
At the ripe old age of 88, King Edward bestowed the Royal red Cross, Order of Merit upon her and King George was one of the first people to congratulate her on her 90th birthday.
Florence died peacefully at her home in Mayfair, London on 13th August 1910, requesting her funeral be a ‘modest affair’ despite the whole country wanting a National Funeral. Her relatives upheld her wishes and she was buried in Hampstead.
A true heroine, inspiration and model of quiet unassuming modesty who was quite simply ‘The Angel of Crimea’
Her legacy lives on
Why a blog about Florence Nightingale?
At Virtual Racing Uk we are proud to be able to dedicate our International Nurses Day challenge to The Florence Nightingale Hospice, also a truly inspiring charitable cause, giving palliative care to patients suffering from life limiting illnesses.
How proud would Florence Nightingale feel of all those selfless people who dedicate themselves to caring for others and know that the groundwork she did enables the level of care our Nurses can give in the modern age.
Please check out the Q&A session with Julie from The Florence Nightingale Hospice on our website and continue to sign up to our May challenge (limited places now)
https://www.virtualracinguk.co.uk/collections/monthly-race/products/may-international-nurses-day
Thank you Team VRUK, YOU are truly AMAZING.
]]>
But when the weather is raining, the wind is blustery and we get the type of snow that grinds the Uk to a halt what can we do to keep motivated? Here's our 5 top tips to help you stay on track....
]]>So keep going and working towards your fitness goals, before we know it, Spring will be here and the weather will be kinder to us!
]]>
You’ll become better at racing
Running / cycling or swimming the distance over a year is the perfect option for those who want to stay committed for a full year by setting a target. Because not only will working towards an annual running challenge keep you fit, but it will help to improve strength, speed and stamina.
It’ll keep you focused
Having an annual goal to aim for is a great way to keep you on track. Without a clear goal in mind it can be far too tempting to slip back to old habits or let your training levels slide.
You’ll feel part of something great
Many studies reveal that runners are often happier than those who don’t run, claiming that it’s partly due to the sense of community they experience. If running alongside others doesn’t do it for you, you could always give virtual racing a go. A virtual race is one you can walk, jog or run, from any location – and more importantly, you can race at your pace.
Joining a virtual running community is a great way for runners to stay motivated and build confidence and still feel like you’re a part of something. Plus, as a virtual runner, you get to experience the thrill of the race and still hold up the race medals at the end. There are lots of awesome virtual running races with medals that you can enter. Find out more about doing a virtual run and our annual races at Virtual Racing UK
You’ll be supporting something you believe in
Running for a specific cause, especially one that’s close to your heart can give you an even bigger sense of achievement. At Virtual Running UK, there are so many great causes you can get involved in. Here’s a look at some of the charities we’ve supported and how as a virtual runner, you could be a part of it.
You’ll feel on top of the world!
There’s no better feeling than crossing the finishing line. And running the distance comes with its rewards. Who doesn’t want a race medal or a bit of ‘run bling’ to show for their hard work?
With Virtual Racing UK, all you have to do is complete your virtual race over the course of the year, then submit your race at your pace evidence, using our online form. We’ll then pop your race medal in the post, so you can wear it with pride. Find out more here
Top tips to get set for your annual racing challenge:
Get the gear
From running shoes to shorts and sports bras, having the right gear is important and will give you that added confidence. It makes sense to do your research and get some specialist advice.
Find a race
If you don’t fancy the pressure of running a longer distance like a marathon, all in one go, an annual virtual running challenge could be the perfect option. You can race at your pace and still get to say you went all the way! Find out more about our running challenges here
Make a plan
There are lots of great training plans out there or you might want to download a virtual running app to help motivate you and get those miles under your running belt. Our virtual runners also offer lots of other hints and tips on staying on track in their blogs
Set your goal
Signing up to an annual running challenge may feel daunting. But the key is to keep it in proportion and see it as a form of regular exercise, helping you stay fit and healthy in the long term. It’s also about building your mental strength in running by adopting a positive mind-set and believing in yourself. And just think, you’ll be a race bling medal holder at the end of it!
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up to an annual challenge today!
]]>]]>
Here are some tips to help return to your love.
GPS COLD TURKEY
Be honest – had you started to obsess over speed? It can actually start to suck the fun out of sport so do yourself a favour and leave the gps watch at home or switch off the app and just go out for a run, powerwalk or bike ride – JUST for the fun of it!
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Enjoy a week off! Sounds counter intuitive right but sometimes loosening the reigns once in a while and not scheduling one in stops that guilt feeling and actually makes you raring to go.
RETAIL THERAPY
We all love new trainer day - right? That spring in your step but it doesn’t have to be that indulgent, some new running socks, a cycling related coffee cup or a new tee can all help give us back that racing joy feeling.
DON’T GO HARD or YOU MAY GO HOME
Race a shorter distance or purposely go for a slow jog only. A mile a day for a week will bring on your fitness and everyone has up to 15 minutes a day to themselves, right?
SWITCH YOUR DISCIPLINE
If you’ve lost your running mojo, try something else. Swimming/cycling/powerwalking/rowing. It will help maintain your fitness levels and may be that new goal you need.
ENROLL A BUDDY
Ok so you aren’t enjoying racing but committing to spending time with a friend and helping them on their fitness journey may be that feel good factor to reignite your passion.
DIET CHECK
Make sure you’re eating healthy, energising foods. A binge week on junk will leave the best of us sluggish and demotivated.
RACE SIGN UP
The motivation you may need could be as simple as a goal. Pick one of our challenges or a live race with a date not too far away so that you can fully regain your mojo, and then sign up for another race after to keep you on track.
]]>Our mind and body are one being, not separate entities, and how we look after our body as a whole can have a very powerful effect on our mental wellbeing.
Exercise stimulates the body to produce endorphins and enkephalins and these natural feel-good hormones can leave us energised and often have a calming affect that improves our mood and outlook.
Physical activity is widely believed to have a positive impact on our mood and a 2018 study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry Journal, suggests that regular physical activity lasting 45 minutes three to five times a week can reduce poor mental health.
But the really good news is that the study found all types of activity to improve mental health, no matter people's age or gender, including doing the housework and looking after the children.
So for those looking to add a form of exercise into their routine, it is possible for everyone to find physical activities they enjoy, without having to spend hours in the gym.
Virtual Racing is just one great way to add activity into your life and helps keep you goal focused. Entrants sign up for a virtual race online and simply choose their own starting line, whether it's a treadmill or their local parkun.
They can truly run their own race with total freedom of time and location, and without the logistical anxiety and stress that live races can sometimes mean. Entrants simply complete the distance, upload their finishing time and a few days later are mailed a medal as reward.
Mental wellbeing means feeling good – both about yourself and about the world around you.
If you find a physical activity you enjoy, earning medals as a reward for achieving those goals can certainly increase your feel-good factor. Especially if you get to the stage when you start to display your lovely bling, showing yourself and those around you exactly what you can achieve.
So just how can physical activity help with our mental health?
If you or someone close to you suffers from mental health issues please please so seek out professional help, there are lots out there such as Rethink Mental Health, the Mental Health Foundation and Mind to name just a few.
Remember you are not alone.
Depression is a common mental disorder and rates for this and anxiety are at recorded levels in the UK, and around the world.
Life today is full on, everything is moving at such a fast pace, and the environment around us can often be so busy that it does become overwhelming.
As a Team we fundraise for several mental health charities including Rethink Mental Illness.
So we asked their advice on where best to point Team members who may be struggling and find themselves needing to talk. Please click here find a list of resources.
]]>I was so pleased when I didn't get picked for sports day.... that meant an afternoon lolling on the grass banking paying very little attention to the sports day activities. My husband, as complete contrast tells me he would have been gutted if he hadn't been picked for sports day.
Fast forward a few years, and my fitness bug started with aerobics and step aerobics, later followed by Zumba and boxercise....and then I had children.
]]>I'm still wondering when that is....
When you spent your school days forging notes from you Mum to excuse you from athletics, I mean I seriously hated athletics... totally rubbish at it! Javelin, discus, jumping of any kind, sprinting (what a joke) or long distance.... it just wasn't me. I was at the back of the group with the asthma kids or the boy who had forgotten his trainers... I didn't see the point! It wasn't going to help me get my GCSEs, or achieve my dream career (which, by the way, had nothing to do with fitness at that time) or secure a place at the Olympics.
I was so pleased when I didn't get picked for sports day.... that meant an afternoon lolling on the grass banking paying very little attention to the sports day activities. My husband, as complete contrast tells me he would have been gutted if he hadn't been picked for sports day.
Fast forward a few years, and my fitness bug started with aerobics and step aerobics, later followed by Zumba and boxercise....and then I had children.
Making it to classes was difficult with a busy job and children, so Sam and I signed up to the Moonwalk half marathon. Don't get too excited just yet, this was a power walking challenge, through London, at night, in an ornately decorated bra... in aid of breast cancer. We loved it, and two years later we secured our places, with our middle sister, and two friends to complete the full marathon.
Would I have called myself an athlete or even a proper power walker back then? Nope. But that was a seriously tough challenge, and we did it.... without arguing too... bonus.
So, from my power walking training, I thought I would download couch25k app and see if, for the first time in my life, I could run.
Turns out I can... not particularly fast, but I have endurance and stamina, and can tackle the odd hill.
I think I've been a member of my running club, and participating in races since 2014, and running a 5k regularly since 2010.
Entering the Great North Run 4 years ago was a seriously nerve-wracking thing to do... the furthest I'd ran was 10k and progressing to a half marathon just seemed huge. Done a 10k? Great, now do it all over again for a half.... whoa! As training approached the 10-mile marker, my running bestie and I celebrated, we were elated.
We've since ran GNR each year, and unbelievably, the weather has always been hot up in the North East!
Last year we completed the Liverpool Rock N Roll marathon on scorching conditions. It was in the middle of the glorious heatwave last summer.... just not ideal conditions for a marathon.
And guess what? I'm mad enough to do another one... this time an Autumnal marathon in Chester.
But ask me what I do to keep fit and I say " I go running"... I never say I am a runner... I don't feel have the qualifications to say that.
I have the qualifications to say that... but realistically what more can I expect of myself to say I am a runner.
If I was talking about a friend who was running on a regular basis, a couple of times a week, or doing park run, or couch25k, I would be chatting about her saying, She's doing really well, she's a proper runner now, she loves it, she's making fantastic progress. I would be recognising that even the newest beginner, out for a gentle jog, or a run walk session on an app, IS A RUNNER.
I am proud of my achievements (my Mum is amazed, and probably my old PE teacher will be astounded) so perhaps it’s time to admit, that yes, I, Vicky Powell-Carden, am a runner.
]]>Why?
Because I read a comment on a running site and its completely changed my trainer buying for life!
]]>
Why??
Because I read a comment on a running site and its completely changed my trainer buying for life
Ok so I will just say it - I have very WIDE feet. I am only a UK size 6 but I have always suffered with my feet due to the width.
So as soon as I started running I always went to a 'specialist' running shop to buy new trainers. My gait was done properly and they always checked the length fit.
But still, for almost ten years now, I have struggled with shoes.
Then just last week I read a comment on a running site where a lady had said she had been advised by a friend to try men's trainers as they are wider! It was verified by a string of ladies who all said it worked for them!
How had I not known this?
So at the weekend, off I trotted to the ASICS store, already knowing I wanted a neutral shoe, and spoke to the assistant.
Apparently yes! From what I tried, men's certainly do seem to be wider!
An hour and many pairs tried on later, I left with these bad boys!
Admittedly the colours aren't my usual choice but who cares? Comfort is my main concern.
So today I went out for a little 2.5 mile trial run and wow! Finally I have shoes that the sides of my feet aren't bursting through.
So for any other females out there who may be struggling for comfort due to wider feet, I would really recommend at least trying on some of the 'men's' shoes.
If this snippet of info helps just one other woman, I will be chuffed, as I think its changed my trainer buying for good.
]]>I have jotted down a little about how I found the experience, what I achieved and what I learnt.
]]>2019 started with the streaky blinders race, a challenge that required entrants to commit to a form of exercise every day for 31 days.
Of course, you could mix disciplines if you chose to and you could include things like gym sessions, HiiT training, dance, as well as the usual running, walking, cycling and swimming.
I decided that I would embark on my first ever 31 day running streak. A terrifying and daunting commitment because, like everyone, I was already trying to balance family life with work, household chores and include the occasional social venture.
January 1st (feeling a little delicate), I tentatively laced up my trainers and considered how far I could actually make it. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't my fitness letting me down. 2 days earlier I had achieved my 2018 sub 30 5k PB, it was a combination of a hangover and the inevitable sloth inside me that just wanted to stay home and eat carbs.
I 'settled' on a mile. But admit I already felt a failure with this distance as I felt I owed it to myself and Team Virtual Racing UK to do more. This was not the start to the 31 day streak that I was hoping for.
Nevertheless I headed out into the cold and ran. As I ran I picked up my speed and resolved that if I wasn't going far then I shouldn't dawdle.
A respectable 10.27 min/mi pace. Having never been a 'fast' runner, I was happy with that. It felt comfortable and steady.
The next day everything returned to normal - hubbie at work, me at work (although we don't really take 'time off' anyway) but my pre-schooler was at home. The crushing reality of how on earth I was going to balance work, entertaining a 3 year old and a run, all came crashing down.
I have historically been a buggy runner but in seriously bitter weather I won't take him in the buggy, not least because he isn't a massive buggy fan nowadays, but also because when its freezing I daren't risk him getting a chill.
So how on earth was I going to do this?
I muddled through the day and when my husband returned from work at 8pm, I was laced up and out the door before he'd taken his coat off. Again just a mile but a steady one.
So there began my month. At weekends and one day during the week I managed a longer run of 5k or more but for the main, it was a mile a day. As the days ticked by my confidence grow and I pushed myself faster.
The results?
I have been shocked to see the massive improvement it has made to my fitness. My VO2 Max saw a huge leap and my overall speed across not just a mile but also longer runs, has also seen a huge improvement. I didn't anticipate that I would see an increase in stamina at a faster speed but I really have.
I recently completed a 10k in 58:57 - 9 minutes faster than my previous PB.
I have continued my fitness streak into March with the Streak into Spring but this does include a mix of cycling and exercise classes.
But what I have learnt really is that no matter how busy our lives are EVERYONE deserves at least 10 minutes a day to themselves to exercise. That could be yoga, a HiiT or a quick mile.
On super busy days when the ankle biters really don't give you time to nip the loo alone, I wait until he is settled in bed and throw my running gear on. As soon as Kris gets out of the car I am off. Most of the time I have made it back before he is even changed from his work clothes.
Those 10 minutes would otherwise be me just killing time until dinner, now I am keeping my inner sloth at bay with my mile a day.
So next time you put off exercise telling yourself all the reasons why you don't have time, consider where you can find ten minutes and just give it a whirl. You body and mind will thank you for it!
]]>With two categories Adult and Junior Team members can design their very own challenge that they would love to see turned into a real race and their medal design will be converted into a physical medal (with a little help from our own design team).
]]>With two categories Adult and Junior Team members can design their very own challenge that they would love to see turned into a real race, and their medal design will be converted into a physical medal (with a little help from our own design team).
Closing date for 2019 design entries: Sunday 3rd Feb 2019 at 6pm.
What are the rules?
How to enter?
Once Team members have completed their design please email initial submission using the form that will be available here from Wednesday 23rd January and include the above information
Closing date for 2019 entries: Sunday 3rd February 2019 at 6pm.
Prizes will be awarded to the best entry in each category.
We cannot accept entries received after the closing date so please ensure they are emailed in good time direct to us at the address above.
We will then contact those shortlisted by February 10th and final winners will be announced by 16th February.
What are the prizes?
Category winners will have their design turned into a 2019 challenge and we will provide free entry for you and 4 Team members of your choice (family or friends – they don’t need to have taken part in one of our challenges before)
Additionally we will post category winners a goodie bag, with Virtual Racing UK and sports goodies.
How will it be judged?
Vicky, Sam and our designers will shortlist entries.
Overall winners will be announced thereafter.
We are unable to return original paper entries and as such these submissions become the property of Virtual Racing UK.
]]>The calendar has 24 windows (we almost lost door 23… oops, printing error, but we rescued it again!), there are 12 challenges hidden away under some of the doors. Don’t worry, they aren’t brutal or designed to take up hours of your time (who’s got time for that in December?!). They are designed to take around 5-10 minutes out of your day, and usually precede a little reward. The day after the challenge, you will be rewarded with a new piece of your medal.
The exception is we go straight in on day 1 with a gift to start you off.
The medal is easy to build, each part clips on to the medal, and you can assemble the dangly bits in your own unique way.
DAY 2 SUNDAY Challenge 1
Step it up! This challenge is all about increasing your step count. Can you easily smash 10,000 steps? Then today we want you to achieve 11,000. Is usual step count 6000? Let’s aim for 6600. Want some ideas how you can increase your steps?
Get off the bus one stop earlier
Take the stairs instead of the lift at work
Take the dog or yourself out for a walk – walking for a mile generates around 2000 steps
A little bit of gentle gardening or even taking the bins out can all increase your step count by a few hundred
DAY 4 TUES Challenge 2 -
Hydrate your body! The eatwell guide on the NHS website recommends we drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. No need for expensive bottled water - tap water will be perfectly fine. Here’s a great app you can download to remind you to drink those 6-8 glasses “DAILY WATER” https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/daily-water-drink-reminder/id466387763?mt=8
DAY 6 THURSDAY : Challenge 3
5-minute physical challenge. Your choice to complete one, two or three of these mini workouts.
It’s super important to get sit ups right, here’s a great article and set of 6 videos giving examples of abdominal exercises you can do at home https://dailyburn.com/life/db/beginner-core-exercises-for-ab-workouts/
DAY 8 SATURDAY Challenge 4
Time for another physical challenge – why not try a press up or half press up? Here’s a short video demonstrating how to build up to a full press (push) up https://youtu.be/Pkj8LLRsoDw
DAY 10 MONDAY Challenge 5
5 A DAY. The world health organization recommends we eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables EVERY DAY. That’s a total weight of 400g of your fave colourful fruits and veg. Take a look at their recommendations here http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/fruit/en/
DAY 12 WEDNESDAY Challenge 6
Stretch it out! Stretching your muscles after a run or cycle session can really help improve performance, cool you down and ensure you avoid injury. But did you know that stretching on a daily basis has so many other benefits too. Here’s a great article explaining why https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-stretching#getting-started
]]>
But it got me thinking about how, at this time of year, we set ourselves fitness goals and challenges… maybe training for an event (2018 is my marathon year), or time improvements, distance improvements, weight loss or learning a new sport or skill.
It’s an excuse to buy new equipment, new trainers, sportswear, light up arms bands etc, and we all see 1st January and the start of a new calendar year as the beginning of something new. We have bundles of determination and enthusiasm during January and really make a huge effort to get out there and keep working towards our goals…. But what happens in February, March… Easter break, holidays…. Before we know it, life has got in the way and our goals and motivation are pushed to the bottom of the to do list.
That’s why Virtual challenges are perfect for keeping you on track with your fitness goals. We have a community of complete beginners all the way through to marathon runners and triathletes. We have ladies, gents, the young and old, children and a few four-legged friends who have all completed one of our challenges this year. The resounding feedback has been that you love the motivation that a virtual racing uk challenge gives you. We like to keep in touch with you to remind you of start dates, submission deadlines and when your medal has been posted…. We’ve been there, entered something or bought something and forgotten about it, or it hasn’t been delivered. We don’t want you to feel like this, or worry or forget, we want you to love completing our challenges and keep you on track to smash your fitness goals for 2018.
We want you to be thrilled with the magnificent piece of bling you receive as your reward for completing your challenge, and every one of our medals, whether they are for a 5k or 500 mile challenge are all carefully and thoughtfully designed by our lovely designer in the UK, and we take pride in ensuring they are all superior quality, and far out strip our competitors bling! And we know we have achieved this as you tell us!
Cumulative mileage challenges are perfect for keeping you consistently motivated all year, our 500 challenge could be 500 km, 500 miles or 500 hours… it’s your choice. Take a look here
Or consider our biggest challenge - our John O’Groats to Lands End Virtual challenge…. a serious challenge at 1200 miles https://www.virtualracinguk.co.uk/collections/open-virtual-challenges/products/1200 .
Do you think you can smash either of these two?
…And do we ever look at what we have achieved this year? I doubt we do… we are so focused on the shiny bright new year that we forget everything we should be pleased about or thankful for in the old year. So how about giving yourself some much-deserved praise… ask yourself the following:
What have I achieved?
What were my goals this year and have I smashed them?
How do I feel at the end of this year?
What have I come through?
What do I have to be thankful for?
This could be fitness related, personal, professional or social… but we should never lose sight of our achievements.
Good Luck in whatever your goals and challenges are for 2018, stay safe, happy and well, and we do still have places available for one of our January challenges Winter is Here . why not start your year as you mean to go on?
Vicky - Joint Owner, Virtual Racing UK
xx
]]>The gym was out simply because I didn't have anyone to watch my six month old and the idea of home DVD's just did not appeal.
So after a little research I concluded that now he was six month's old I could try running with my baby safely in an adequate three wheeler running buggy. Being something new, I had no idea if I would be able to hack it, so I didn't want to splash out a fortune on a new buggy. So I took to eBay and bid on a second hand 360 nipper. This brand was the one most recommended to me by other buggy running mummy's so I thought I would give it a whirl.
On the 3rd Jan 2106 I downloaded the couch 2 5K app and set off.
OMG! How was I ever going to do this, I couldn't run for 1 minute, let alone build up to 5K. But I put my trust in the APP and kept going.
The next month I got the email I was wanting and dreading... A ballot place for the GNR. EEEK - I had to keep going now.
8 weeks after starting the APP (after many great sessions and frankly, as many terrible ones), I managed a 30 min run! It was a fair way shy of the 5k mark but it was 30 mins, I had completed the programme and I was chuffed to bits.
I put my half marathon training plan in place and started to slowly build up my mileage.
When I started I never intended to buggy run more than 5K but the more frequently I went out, the more my little one got use to the buggy and I started to time runs around sleeps and snacks.
He would enjoy the scenery as spring and summer broke, squealing at the ducks and birdies and frankly loving the attention from passers by. Fellow runners were extremely supportive, as were most passersby. Offering words of encouragement. During the 7 months we trained, I only ever had two negative comments. One from a lady when it was cold but my boy was more than adequately wrapped up, complaining that I was 'selfish' and another from an old gentleman calling me ridiculous for running with a buggy.
My view is that my son was enjoying the fresh air, scenery and I was being a role model for him to exercise when he gets bigger. This view was reinforced one day when I was struggling to push him up an incline and a seasoned runner called Colin (he was wearing a named fundraising shirt), shouted words of encouragement to me and then turned to my son and said "one day young man, you will run a marathon". Just that simple acknowledgement lifted me on a very tough run and made me feel wonderful.
So how did my GNR training go?
Well I actually completed a 12 mile buggy run with my boy and he blissfully slept for 8 of those miles and squealed and laughed for the other 4. Don't get me wrong, we had our bad runs, cut short because he couldn't settle for whatever reason. But for the main, he loved it.
Im no expert, so do lots of research into the right running prams. You need one that is adequate to run with to protect your child and prevent you getting injured. But I would say once you are good to go, take lots of snacks and drinks for them, make sure they are wrapped up warm when its cold and have the relevant protection from the sun in the warmer weather. Layers are your friend for the changing elements so you can adjust their temp. Always have enough charge on your phone in case you need to call someone and at first I took my sling, then if he got grouchy I would simply take him out of the buggy, pop him in the sling and walk home.
Always have a buggy strap and my view was to never run with headphones in. I put my music on speaker and we both enjoyed the tunes but I could always hear my baby and I always checked on him every 5 minutes or so, just to make sure he was still smiling.
Did I complete the GNR?
Yes. But I bottled the event slightly and walked far too much. Maybe I was missing my running buddy too much but I was definitely proud of us both.
]]>We spoke to fitness enthusiasts of all levels about what does and doesn't work for them and we set out to create a fitness community that meets your challenge needs and will help support you to achieve your goal.
Whether you are a marathon runner, you cycle with the family for fitness and fun, an accomplished triathlete or just starting your fitness journey, we hope to create a Virtual Fitness Challenge or Virtual Distance Challenge that meets your goals.
We are evolving and will grow on this journey with all those that join us. So we want your feedback! In fact we actively encourage it. So please feel free to drop us a message an info@virtualracinguk.co.uk
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