In this week’s blog/podcast we will discuss how to train for your virtual goal race. https://www.acraceseries.com/

We also celebrate some cool stories of Katie Ayers, Chris Ballard, her sister Lisa Keating, Amy and Bill Zabrowski, Tammy Jokavich, Luz Ramirez and Lisa Diaz.

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If you are looking for a step by step article explaining all the details to help you run the virtual race this may not be it. I’m going to give you a touch of the crazy mindset that you want to have in order to do a virtual run by yourself. So if you are ready for crazy then come on, let’s go.

First, of course, have the date that you plan to run firmly in mind. For me, it was the April Fools Half Marathon in Atlantic City N.J., on April 26t, 2020. That was the original date planned for the event. In my mind nothing changed, The race had turned into a virtual race due to the Covid-19 and we had until May 30th to complete the race. I had the mindset that no matter the weather, I was going to run the race on the date it was scheduled. So I ate as if it was race month, and I ate as if it was race week. I start preparing for my marathons by eating really clean a month out. No grains, sugar, alcohol, dairy, soy, or legumes. Those food groups seem to cause a lot of inflammation in one's body and it slows me down on race day. I didn’t miss one training day, in fact, I completed a 6:58 mile test two weeks before the scheduled race. So point #2 is to eat clean for a strong race. Point #3 is to train as normal.

The crazy comes in when I got so determined that April 26th was race day, that I visualized everything as normal. Our virtual race didn’t come with a bib, and I’m used to laying my race clothes, bib, and sneakers out taking a picture and posting on social media. So I asked my 10-year-old son to please make me a bib and he did an amazing job. In fact, it’s the best bib I ever wore. Some suggest that you run near your home so that you can have a water station set up. I like that idea, however, I don’t drink during long practices so I don’t need water breaks when the weather isn’t over 70 degrees. With that in mind, I drove over to the racecourse to run it alone! No water stations, no opening music, no fans, no other runners, just me. Well, there was the 20mph wind and in mile 5 of my 13.1 race, the rain joined the party. Before the race started, I had my black cold brew as normal, found a restroom as normal, and did a light warm-up as normal. Then I walked to the starting line as the race was to start at 6:30 am. I played one of my favorite songs “Man In the Mirror” by Michael Jackson at 6:27 am. Then I took a quick selfie with the ocean in the background. The time was 6:31 and I didn’t take off yet, you know how you got to let the fast runners up front go before you cross the line. I saw all of that ahead of me.

My goal for this race was to complete the 13.1 miles in under 2hrs. A goal that I never achieved before in like 15 tries. My fastest time was 2:00:31 back in 2015. So how am I going to motivate myself to accomplish my fastest time in the rain, the wind, and no excitement from the crowd? I ran this course many times during practice and even ran this course in live events enough to know where the fans stand and how they clap as you turn off the boardwalk onto the street in Ventnor. I visualized them there clapping for everyone, not just me. I have been practicing the run, walk, run method since 2015 and absolutely love it. In mile 5, I began to visualize every time my interval timer would go off for me to walk, the crowd I was running with would pull away from me. To catch up, I had to get to the stop sign or the white SUV, since that’s how far ahead they’ve gotten. At the halfway point of every race, there is a clock there, so at this time I checked my hallway time. It was 1:01:51 and I thought to myself that’s good, you didn't get down here too fast. Now in 2020 training I incorporated running with a heart rate monitor along with my run, walk, run strategy. In the past, I may have gotten to the halfway point in 58 minutes only to burn out in the end.

The problem came on the way back, I had a difficult time controlling my heart rate. I was operating in the red at 170-178bpm. Why? The wind was so strong on the way back, I had to work hard to get through it. I kept telling myself what a friend told me before my Disney Half Marathon back in January; “Be Patient.” So that’s what I did. I didn’t panic and started grinding harder. I kept a good form, I kept feet close to the ground and lowered my body to become wind resistant. When I got to the landmark in Atlantic City that represented the last 3 miles of my race, I felt strong enough to treat it like a 5k race. I adjusted my interval timer to more running and less walking. I still was patient, so I didn’t go all out. I was saving that for my last mile.

The Last Mile

Once I hit the landmark that represented the last mile, it was on. Why, oh why did the wind have to pick up to 35mph at this time. Waves were crashing so hard into the shore that they were coming onto the boardwalk. I did not care, I did not come this far NOT to get my sub 2 hours half marathon. I went into mile test mode and gave it my all. I crossed the finish line fumbled with my Nike Run Club app and pressed stop the workout. The time read 2:00:15! I missed my mark by 15 seconds. I immediately jumped on a Facebook Live video to tell my supporters how I did and how they must strive towards their goals because even if you fall short, look who you are becoming in the process.

Upon further review later after the live, Nike Run Club app informed me of my NEW ACHIEVEMENT: RECORD SMASHED (Fastest Half Marathon 1:59:51)

WHAT?! I did it! I beat my time by exactly one minute too. My last mile in the past is usually my slowest. I mean bad slow. I may start off with a 9-minute mile and end with a 12-minute mile or worse. Not on this special day, my last mile was 8:16! The last three miles I got faster with each.

I’m so happy! I’m happy to share my story with you and members of our Run To The Best You program. I love showing people what’s possible with a little crazy and determination. I could have run the race in perfect conditions on Saturday but what would have been the fun in that. My story wouldn’t have been as good, lol. I lost 50lbs and have a passion for helping families become healthier one step at a time. So if you need some coaching to help to achieve some of your health goals please fill out our Contact Us form.

Short Stories Of Members That Inspired Me This Week;

Let's start with Katie Ayers!

She crushed her virtual 15k on Saturday, April 25th, 2020. Katie signed up for my new Platinum Coach Tadris Plan and in two weeks is down 5.4lbs. The thing that she's the proudest of is being alcohol-free for 15days and counting. Great job Katie.

Next, we turn our attention to Chris Ballard

Chris continues to show up for herself in powerful ways. Others in our group look up to her stellar example. Chris is amazing and I'm proud of her for training all winter and competed in her 3rd half marathon with her sister Lisa Keating.

Speaking about Lisa Keating

Lisa is a ball of energy and when she hits goals her smile becomes so bright. We did a virtual call with Lisa and Chris on Saturday morning before their virtual race and we could tell Lisa was ready by the size of that smile. Great job Lisa.

Another Lisa Shout Out

This time it's one of our newest members, Lisa Diaz. Here she's pictured with her daughter Rachel with the glasses. Lisa text me this week with an amazing Non-Scale Victory

” NSV today, I am wearing a pair of jeans that I have not worn in over a year b/c I could not button them. Not only are they buttoned but they are actually comfortable!! I can breath without worrying about popping a button!!! So happy about this! Have not weighed myself but obviously the whole package is working! Thank u!”

I'm so happy for Lisa as she is in her 2nd week of my Platinum Coaching plan. Fill out our Contact Us form to learn more.

I Love Lucy:

We are so proud of Lucy for joining back in December and her fire is still burning bright despite some challenges. Lucy is down 40lbs and feels like she's alive again. Now, this week she's incorporated daily planks and her daughter is filming her so she can post in our accountability group. Lucy started with us by joining our Free 7 Day Challenge. (Why don't you check it out.)

Amy and Bill Zabrowski

Amy found us by way of our podcast. Amy decided to try my Keeping It Real 7 Day Health Challenge in which I encourage people to eat only real food for 7 days just like Whole30. Upon completion, they can choose to extend out to 30 days which that is exactly what Amy did. Her husband Bill loves that they are cooking wholesome foods together and he's even running more and feeling great. Amy shared her results of losing 7lbs and dropped in her metabolic age.

What a gem these two are. Keep killing it power couple.

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If you found this blog or podcast helpful and informative please leave a comment below and rate and review on Apple Podcast. Your comments help others find our material and can be a game changer for someone.

Thank You - Coach Tadris

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#48 - How To Train For Virtual Races