With all the "excitement" going on with COVID-19, lots of us are trying to scratch the itch with virtual racing. There are a bunch of options out there but most of them are pretty much the same: cover a distance, do some calisthenics, poof you're done. I've been doing Spartan's virtual races since early April and got two Trifectas in 5 weeks, which I could never do in a non-corona world. I did Highlander Assault's Quarantine 5K Carry a couple days ago and that was also an adventure. Here I will review/recap my experiences with both race types. And I urge you all to do what you can to support the race companies of your choice, as this is a tough time right now. Doing virtual races and/or buying merchandise helps ensure that we will be able to race when the wholly-necessary COVID restrictions let up.
Spartan Virtual
Distances offered: Sprint (5K + 20 obstacles), Super (10K + 25 obstacles), Beast (half marathon + 30 obstacles). They also offer an Ultra (50K + 60 obstacles), but I didn't do that one.
Format: Dealer's choice of how to split up the running and obstacles, but you must complete them all. There are running alternatives such as biking, crawling, jump rope, etc which is nice for people who are/were truly quarantined at home. Obstacles consist mostly of sets of 10 calisthenic exercises (or 10-second isometric holds).
Pros: Virtual races by Spartan are free to participate and get a picture of a medal sent to you. Your time is ranked and shows up in your Athlinks profile. Spartan recently added a paid option to have a t-shirt, trifecta wedge, and sample box sent to you for $29 (can do full trifecta with additional wedge display for $99), plus $8 for shipping. The obstacles require no equipment and are easy to do.
Cons: Are the obstacles TOO easy? A 10-second wall sit, come on. My dead grandmother could do a 10-second wall sit. Also in these kind of things there tends to be way too much triceps work (it's the easiest upper-body muscle group to target with body weight), and this is no exception. We don't need dips, pushups, incline pushups, two kinds of burpees, all in one workout. This is part of the major issue, though, with virtual races in general - you are just not able to get the same experience without actual obstacles. This is why I only did the calisthenics when I did the Beasts. With the Sprints and Supers, I looped around my neighborhood and did my backyard obstacles instead.
Grade: B. It'll do. Glad they're adding the shirts and medals, because they're gonna be limited edition and will be a fun keepsake of the time I had to do tuck jump burpees in a deserted campground.
Highlander Assault Quarantine 5K Carry
Distance offered: 5K
Format: You complete 5K on foot while carrying an object weighing at least 25 lb. Simple, right? I used my 30-lb sandbag and had to switch positions a lot, but it was a good challenge.
Pros: You get a shirt and medal, which are limited edition (the mascot has a gas mask on!). Results will also be posted at the end of the race window. Like Spartan, they verify your time with GPS proof or pictures. Only $25 (about $30 with fees).
Cons: Requires "equipment" (i.e. something that weighs 25 lb, so maybe a particularly docile toddler?). I also wouldn't have minded a 10K option for us crazies.
Grade: A-. It's a straightforward challenge that isn't trying to claim it's a proper obstacle race. You just carry something heavy for a good while. Simple, yet genius.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Obstacle Data Extravaganza!
Since racing is kind of on hold at the moment, I've decided to make myself useful and work on obstacle proficiency this year. The ninja gym is closed, but I've taken this opportunity to enhance my backyard setup and add additional obstacles and training gizmos. In addition to a spear throw station, I can climb over the side of my deck (4' and 10'), work on low crawls on the grass, and use my bucket and sandbags for heavy carries. For grip, I have my thinner monkey bars, plus I have made additional grips in the last several weeks - a horizontal steel bar (like the Super multi-rig), a baseball, a softball, two rings, and four adjustable-height thicker monkey bars. This variety will help me prepare for almost all multi-rig attachments Spartan has, plus obstacles such as Beater and Twister. My next project is to make a bootleg Olympus out of pallets, cheap slabs of flooring (to mimic the new slippery surface), and the standard holds from that obstacle. If I use two pallets, the plan is to make it reversible - one side can be Olympus, the other can be an easier bouldering-type traverse wall which my son or I could both use.
But the main thing I've been doing is thinking. Pondering the obstacles I've cleared and how I've cleared them. Making a plan for how to train for obstacles I haven't cleared, or haven't cleared reliably in the past. To that end, I made a master list of all the races I've done, then gone through and figured out which obstacles in each race I needed assistance on (and why); which I failed (and why); and which I cleared for the first time ever. Such introspection could be very helpful to you guys in your training, so I will post my results here. Turns out there were patterns to my improvement!
So in this timeline, over the course of nearly three years, I progressed in a fairly predictable way based on seeing my first-time clears especially. The first obstacles I cleared were very basic obstacles that had simple techniques which were easy to learn (tall walls, rings). Eventually I started clearing complex technique obstacles like spear, Olympus, and rope climb. After a solid two years of racing I was able to clear the tougher grip obstacles including Twister. This led to my first clean races, which are short distances and therefore have easier obstacles. I know what I'd need to do to run a clean Super: be able to do the new Olympus. I have to figure out a few more obstacles to run a clean Beast. But since I know what I need to work on, I can formulate a plan!
For additional information, I made a few lists.
But the main thing I've been doing is thinking. Pondering the obstacles I've cleared and how I've cleared them. Making a plan for how to train for obstacles I haven't cleared, or haven't cleared reliably in the past. To that end, I made a master list of all the races I've done, then gone through and figured out which obstacles in each race I needed assistance on (and why); which I failed (and why); and which I cleared for the first time ever. Such introspection could be very helpful to you guys in your training, so I will post my results here. Turns out there were patterns to my improvement!
Needed assistance: 6’ wall, 7’ wall, 8’ wall (no
technique/strength)
Failed: rope climb (no technique/strength), Sprint multi-rig
(no grip strength), spear throw (no technique)
Needed assistance: 7’ wall
Failed: spear throw (no technique), Twister (no grip
strength), rope climb (didn’t attempt), Olympus (no technique/strength)
First time cleared: Sprint multi-rig
Sprint Minnesota 6/2018 DNF (thunderstorms – cancelled at
mile 3.5)
Needed assistance: 6’ wall (wet/no technique)
Failed: Olympus (no technique/strength), rope climb (no
technique/strength), spear throw
Needed assistance: 7’ wall, 9’ wall, Bender, Stairway to
Sparta, hurdles
Failed: monkey bars (got bumped/ran out of gas), Twister (no
technique), Z-walls (mud), Olympus (didn’t attempt – mud), rope climb (didn’t
attempt – mud), spear throw, Super multi-rig (tired)
First time cleared: 6’ wall (solo)
Needed assistance: NONE
Failed: Stadion multi-rig both laps (sweaty hands), spear
throw both laps, rope climb both laps (no technique)
First time cleared: 7’ wall, 8’ wall
Needed assistance: 7’ wall, 9’ wall, 8’ wall, Stairway to
Sparta
Failed: Olympus (wet/uncertain technique), monkey bars
(wet), Super multi-rig (wet), Bender (wet/sandy), Tyro traverse (cramps), rope
climb (hands went numb), Twister (wet)
First time cleared: spear throw
Super Chicago 6/2019 DNF (thunderstorms – cancelled at mile
2)
Needed assistance: 6’ wall (mud)
First time cleared: monkey bars
Needed assistance: Stairway to Sparta Beast mode (no
technique), 8’ wall (wet/muddy), vertical cargo 2.0
Failed: Beast multi-rig (failed at rope holds), Twister (got
through 1st of 3 sections, ran out of grip), The Box (no technique),
spear throw, rope climb (mud), Tyro traverse (gave up quickly)
First time cleared: Olympus, Bender
Needed assistance: NONE
Failed: spear throw, rope climb (no grip – hands felt too
smooth)
Needed assistance: The Box
Failed: monkey bars (slipped)
First time cleared: Stairway to Sparta, Twister, rope climb,
vertical cargo 2.0, Super multi-rig
Needed assistance: NONE
Failed: spear throw
Needed assistance: NONE
Failed: spear throw lap one
FIRST CLEAN STADION lap two
Needed assistance: The Box (almost got it), vertical cargo
2.0 (needed only slight help)
Failed: spear throw, Olympus (new slippery material)
Sprint Arizona 2/2020
Needed assistance: NONE
Failed: NONE
FIRST CLEAN SPRINTSo in this timeline, over the course of nearly three years, I progressed in a fairly predictable way based on seeing my first-time clears especially. The first obstacles I cleared were very basic obstacles that had simple techniques which were easy to learn (tall walls, rings). Eventually I started clearing complex technique obstacles like spear, Olympus, and rope climb. After a solid two years of racing I was able to clear the tougher grip obstacles including Twister. This led to my first clean races, which are short distances and therefore have easier obstacles. I know what I'd need to do to run a clean Super: be able to do the new Olympus. I have to figure out a few more obstacles to run a clean Beast. But since I know what I need to work on, I can formulate a plan!
For additional information, I made a few lists.
Obstacles I Have Both Failed (or required assistance) AND
Cleared – why?
Z-wall – muddy 1x
Twister – poor conditioning/technique 4x (CLEARED: 2x
streak)
Monkey Bars – accidental slip 2x, wet 1x (CLEARED: 9x,
includes 5x streak)
Multi-rig (Stadion) – sweaty
2x
Multi-rig (Sprint) - poor conditioning/technique 1x (CLEARED: 7x streak)
Multi-rig (Sprint) - poor conditioning/technique 1x (CLEARED: 7x streak)
Multi-rig (Super) – poor conditioning/technique 1x, wet 1x
(CLEARED: 2x streak)
Bender – poor conditioning/technique 1x, wet/sandy 1x
(CLEARED: 3x streak)
Olympus (Original) – poor conditioning/technique 4x
(CLEARED: 2x streak before New Oly)
Vertical Cargo 2.0 – poor conditioning/technique 1x
(CLEARED: 2x streak)
6’, 7’, 8’ Wall – poor conditioning/technique until August
2018
Spear Throw – poor technique/error 11x (HIT: 4x)
Rope Climb – poor conditioning/technique 8x, muddy 1x
(CLEARED: 6x streak)
Stairway to Sparta (Super) – poor conditioning/technique 1x
Hurdles – muscle pull injury 1x
Obstacles I Have NEVER Failed (That Are Fail-able)
Herc Hoist
Beater
Slip Wall
Tire Flip
Plate Drag
Inverted Wall
Obstacles I Have NEVER Cleared (Solo/Unassisted) – why?
The Box – poor conditioning/technique 3x
Tyro Traverse – poor conditioning/technique 2x
Olympus (New) – poor technique/too slippery 1x
Multi-rig (Beast) – poor conditioning/technique on rope
holds 1x
Stairway to Sparta (Beast) - poor conditioning/technique 2x
Obstacles I Have Never Attempted (Not seen yet in my races)
Helix
Irish Tables
With these four lists, things were able to really come into focus. It's important to look at WHY we fail, so that we can either practice in those conditions or minimize those factors whenever possible. But it's also important to recognize our strengths and see which obstacles we don't fail. Many times there are techniques with those obstacles that we can utilize and shore up the weaker ones. I'm awesome at Herc Hoist, so maybe I should use more of a pulling technique on Tyro Traverse rather than trying to climb the underside of the rope like I usually do (and fail). I'm bad at the new Olympus, but maybe I can think about how I've cleared extremely slick slip walls and try to bring that to it. If we use our heads, I think we can come out of this insane 2020 with better obstacle proficiency than ever. And avoid the burpee pits in 2021.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Rethinking Goals
With the decision to put off the Ultra attempt indefinitely, I need to rethink my goals for this and next season. It's a bit tricky to consider what we'll all be able to do, since we have no idea when this pandemic crisis will be anywhere near over. I'm going to assume that this year is basically a wash. I'm also going to assume that I will not want to participate in any air travel until a vaccine is available. My last assumption is that I will be unable to train at the ninja gym for a long period of time, and for a similar length of time I will be caring for my 5-year-old during the day and not have as much time in general to exercise.
That said, there is stuff to look forward to.
1) Virtual Spartan Races
I've been participating in these for the last two weekends, doing backyard obstacles instead of the listed calisthenics. My times have been decent, but the running has caused some backsliding with my foot sprain pain, so I might need to switch to walking again.
2) At-home obstacle training
My husband made me monkey bars last summer, and I've long wanted to add some attachments to them to create my own multi-rig. Finally got around to that a couple of weeks ago and now have two rings, two balls, and a bar (like in the Spartan Super/Beast rigs). Having these different holds and practicing on them will surely help me. Also I would like to get better at doing monkey bars while they're wet or sweaty, and having my own personal set that I can violate with a hose is definitely useful. I also have a spear, and since I absolutely need to get better at that obstacle, it's great that I'll be able to practice.
3) Burpee training
Burpees take a lot out of me, as they do everyone. Fortunately these are a very easy exercise to do in your living room. (Well, not "easy to do," but you know.) Getting better at burpees is an essential Spartan skill.
4) Weight loss
Losing weight is simple to do in quarantine. Eat smaller portions, eat healthier (since you're cooking everything), drink lots of water. It's pretty straightforward. I've been dropping about a pound a week, which will surely help my racing when the time comes.
5) Gratitude
When this is over, I will be so much more grateful. For the gym. For not having to avoid humans on the trails and sidewalks. For being able to travel and race. We can all make gratitude a goal.
That said, there is stuff to look forward to.
1) Virtual Spartan Races
I've been participating in these for the last two weekends, doing backyard obstacles instead of the listed calisthenics. My times have been decent, but the running has caused some backsliding with my foot sprain pain, so I might need to switch to walking again.
2) At-home obstacle training
My husband made me monkey bars last summer, and I've long wanted to add some attachments to them to create my own multi-rig. Finally got around to that a couple of weeks ago and now have two rings, two balls, and a bar (like in the Spartan Super/Beast rigs). Having these different holds and practicing on them will surely help me. Also I would like to get better at doing monkey bars while they're wet or sweaty, and having my own personal set that I can violate with a hose is definitely useful. I also have a spear, and since I absolutely need to get better at that obstacle, it's great that I'll be able to practice.
3) Burpee training
Burpees take a lot out of me, as they do everyone. Fortunately these are a very easy exercise to do in your living room. (Well, not "easy to do," but you know.) Getting better at burpees is an essential Spartan skill.
4) Weight loss
Losing weight is simple to do in quarantine. Eat smaller portions, eat healthier (since you're cooking everything), drink lots of water. It's pretty straightforward. I've been dropping about a pound a week, which will surely help my racing when the time comes.
5) Gratitude
When this is over, I will be so much more grateful. For the gym. For not having to avoid humans on the trails and sidewalks. For being able to travel and race. We can all make gratitude a goal.
This Is Spartan Ultra Episode 16 (SEASON FINALE)
After much reflection, I have come to a realization: I no longer care about my goal of completing the Spartan Ultra this year. No, I am not clinically depressed (I don't think?), and I am not abandoning this goal forever. I just have realized slowly over the last couple weeks that, as the world is kind of burning to the ground, I don't have the physical or mental resources available to give the Ultra the amount of attention it demands of a person. It's been so tough for all of us lately with the uncertainty of not knowing when life will get back to normal, or IF it will. I just don't have it in me at this time to go for the Ultra. I probably will in the future, because it's so big and so awesome and I know it'll eat away at me someday if I don't do it. But for now, I'm letting go of that goal and focusing on 1) racing at all ever again! and 2) doing virtual races in the meantime to keep myself busy and give me smaller achievements to focus on. I will continue making a vlog on occasion but it won't be Ultra-centric until I pick that back up. Someday!
Friday, March 20, 2020
This Is Spartan Ultra Episode 15
MAJOR Ultra update: due to COVID-19, I have chosen to defer the Ohio Ultra...to the DALLAS Ultra! Big D, here I come! (that's what she said, LOLOL)
Virtual Walt Disney World Vacation
I have taken the liberty to compile a list of videos of ALL the attractions at Walt Disney World resort in Florida. If you are stuck at home, unable to travel, watch these and pretend you're elsewhere.
MAGIC KINGDOM
Astro Orbiter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceLFGnNv1rM
Barnstormer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2p4gcJiu1M
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmmteiM_K1Q
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWiXGxDmXJU
Carousel of Progress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo4jnlvJmrk
Country Bear Jamboree https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYfQVhmvBSA
Dumbo the Flying Elephant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYYHv52BxY
Enchanted Tales with Belle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ZOFFT2qcE
Enchanted Tiki Room https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLrxgN-msZY
Hall of Presidents – OBAMA VERSION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vHOng0vm8o
Haunted Mansion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRp4CiUnuWY
It’s a Small World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tbm4Au3dZ0
Jungle Cruise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ybSVe8HVFg
Liberty Belle Riverboat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYbV_E-lcF4
Mad Tea Party https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kicbnkVp0Y
Magic Carpets of Aladdin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc8_aPjObfQ
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lre7at0fO6U
Mickey’s PhilharMagic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_L0NoZrV6g
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB2hEyHBxAs
Peter Pan’s Flight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLBPvABpQXQ
Pirates of the Caribbean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZeBQXkqgZM
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFwBMtACI2M
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf8NARziZZM
Space Mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMMiZFPYg6M
Space Mountain LIGHTS ON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLzq3NDCdvU
Splash Mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUsgniDbYgs
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zU9D5mCmA
Tom Sawyer Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My1qNot7sig
Tomorrowland Speedway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB8vXkkcKHY
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTFLUhj37E
Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JosZ4PgpMO4
Walt Disney World Railroad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqaRTWx43aY
EPCOT
Spaceship Earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_KEaFN6r6k
The Seas with Nemo and Friends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8OLq0hwTP8
Turtle Talk with Crush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkvrv3-xKRc
Living with the Land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isqIdiJstYw
Soarin’ Around the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP8rsfja4RA
Awesome Planet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFHshcG1rMI
Journey Into Imagination with Figment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpempCSp2-w
Mission: SPACE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLM-uy4dQdw
Test Track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGlcEksJ1jM
Gran Fiesta Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoubwYgDjmk
Frozen Ever After https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8OHP9OriMA
Reflections of China https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljykYbUslBU
American Adventure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycDCiwObVl0
Impressions de France https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZM4OA2JRpU
Canada: Far & Wide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUYeF77OseI
Illuminations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z2vwjD2Pvw
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Alien Swirling Saucers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMcOjQ_RTaw
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlnSylqQ2w
Fantasmic! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCcWmZf85A4
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along
Celebration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFeuOvEiIXM
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51gnon4Uz2U
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOEdsupEr5Q
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p4MnM2LAkI
MuppetVision 3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXvltYAKufo
Rise of the Resistance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0HRyP2UUzY
Rock ‘n Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYBP9A6P2t0
Rock ‘n Rollercoaster LIGHTS ON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1FvbSDGXv4
Slinky Dog Dash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK3ZrMgyLVQ
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkje4nxixrA
Toy Story Mania https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URDD77bzyZ0
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w_pilK1ncg
Voyage of the Little Mermaid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eQn-5gUMCk
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Avatar Flight of Passage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMxeDMPvSnI
Expedition Everest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTji1hOICEI
Festival of the Lion King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKRCI1Imh80
Finding Nemo: The Musical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTXm4eqisJU
It’s Tough to Be a Bug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im6ypRoCiLg
Kali River Rapids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8jSs9Z8jMY
Kilimanjaro Safaris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Of2C9tN_w
Na’vi River Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FciaHToIQMM
Primeval Whirl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC_jqWno63I
Rivers of Light https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqyqhIXaoWY
TriceraTop Spin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaGds1jtoBY
UP! A Great Bird Adventure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQd8QS88YNk
BONUS
Tron Coaster (Shanghai Disneyland) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taeucixxrdM
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Coronavirus Cockblock
Sorry for the crass blog title, but this virus is totally cockblocking everyone in the world at this moment and I'm calling it like I see it! First of all, I will say this is a very serious situation and I know lives are at stake, and I'm not going to minimize that at all. Our top priority NEEDS to be protecting our most vulnerable populations. Totally understand that. But for the purposes of this blog, I will be focusing on how this is specifically affecting the fitness/racing communities. While it might seem like this is a silly thing to be concerned with at a time like this, it is the point of my blog, and racing has been turned completely upside down for at least the next several weeks. I will also be focusing on the United States because that is where I live, and that's what I've heard the most information about.
Most races in America have been cancelled or postponed. The Abominable Snow Race was cancelled with less than 24 hours notice after the host venue decided to shut down. Spartan has cancelled or postponed all events in the next 30 days. Communities have put into place bans on gatherings of over 100-250 people, which has caused mass cancellations of OCRs and road races during a prime busy race season. Race companies are hemorrhaging money and needing to offer free deferrals and refunds to keep the customers happy.
Brief aside: I saw people on the Facebook page for the Abominable Snow Race asking the race to reimburse them for their lost hotel fees and even their LOST WAGES from taking a vacation day for the event. Bitch, please. That is so ridiculous, I can't even. You cannot demand that a small race company who has just lost a TON of revenue should pay you back for your vacation day. It is beyond out of line to even ask for that. Some crazy lady asked for an "immediate refund" so that she could "take [her] kids to do something fun" that weekend, and claimed she should be paid back for the "custom team shirts" that she chose to have made. Nobody NEEDS to make custom shirts. That was your choice, Karen.
Anyway, how do we as a community prepare for race cancellations? I have a few ideas that I think are ALWAYS prudent.
1) Always make cancellable reservations. I know it's tempting to save a few bucks with the Advance Purchase hotel rate, but DON'T. Always always always make sure you can cancel your reservation, pandemic or not. Airline reservations are more difficult usually, but right now all the airlines are giving refunds. If you're getting a plane ticket for an event, you should consider trip insurance or paying an extra fee to make your ticket at least changeable.
2) Consider, if traveling for an event, making a proper vacation out of it so that a race cancellation will not literally ruin your weekend. If you can plan family vacations around a race (example: visiting Disney World when a race is happening in central Florida), it will be less devastating if the race can't happen.
3) Have a backup plan. This could be a different race that you could parlay your training to if your first choice is cancelled. It could also be a different idea for a vacation if you have a last-minute cancellation and can't change your travel plans or your time off work. You took a day off and now the race is cancelled? What else can you do to not waste the day?
Specifically with the coronavirus, experts are strongly recommending social isolation, or avoiding groups of people, particularly while indoors. As a result, many local gyms are being shut down for 2-3 weeks while we try to contain the effect of the virus on our healthcare systems. This can be overwhelming for many folks who aren't fitness experts and may have no idea how to train without a gym. Some recommendations:
1) Your backyard. This is a great place to prepare for OCRs because they take place on dirt rather than roads. Do burpees on the grass. Carry around a 5-gallon bucket full of heavy stuff (hammers, rocks, sand, dumbbells, soup cans, etc). Make a spear and throw it at squirrels (kidding, please do NOT do this, use a piece of wood or a proper target instead). Climb over the railing of your deck over and over. Box jump up your front stairs. Make your neighbors question your sanity.
2) Inside your house. There are workouts of all kinds available on YouTube and Amazon Prime. If you have dumbbells or resistance bands and a mat, you can get a great workout inside your house. If you have a treadmill or a stationary bike, awesome. Do burpees on your carpet. Just do burpees in general. Use this month to get awesome at burpees and you won't regret it.
3) Outdoors. Get to those secluded trails where the coronavirus can't find you. Explore the muddy goodness of a spring thaw on soft trails. Run or walk the paved trails. Go to a playground or park and play on the equipment (don't touch your face, and wash your hands afterward). Try to keep a bit of distance from others who might be out, and you'll be fine.
4) The gym. If it is open and you must go, exercise caution. Go to more secluded parts of the gym. If the guy on the elliptical next to you starts hacking (ugh, this happens too often), move to a different one at least two meters away. If the machine has a fan on it, turn it on so that you keep his nasty cough particles from lingering near your face cavities. Avoid crowded classes in small confined studios. Do not touch your face. Wash your hands religiously before and after your workout. Wipe down machines/mats both before and after you use them.
Remember, if you are young and healthy, this virus probably won't affect you. It's easy to be complacent and say you don't need to do any of this. But remember that us healthy folks can easily be carriers and infect many other people without knowing it. Some of those people might go on to infect others who are vulnerable. It is socially responsible for us to all isolate ourselves as much as possible in these coming weeks, even if you have extreme confidence in your own immune system. No workout or race is worth potentially killing someone. Have patience with race directors, who are losing money hand over fist. Have backup plans for your racing and training. And most of all, WASH YOUR HANDS. Constantly.
Most races in America have been cancelled or postponed. The Abominable Snow Race was cancelled with less than 24 hours notice after the host venue decided to shut down. Spartan has cancelled or postponed all events in the next 30 days. Communities have put into place bans on gatherings of over 100-250 people, which has caused mass cancellations of OCRs and road races during a prime busy race season. Race companies are hemorrhaging money and needing to offer free deferrals and refunds to keep the customers happy.
Brief aside: I saw people on the Facebook page for the Abominable Snow Race asking the race to reimburse them for their lost hotel fees and even their LOST WAGES from taking a vacation day for the event. Bitch, please. That is so ridiculous, I can't even. You cannot demand that a small race company who has just lost a TON of revenue should pay you back for your vacation day. It is beyond out of line to even ask for that. Some crazy lady asked for an "immediate refund" so that she could "take [her] kids to do something fun" that weekend, and claimed she should be paid back for the "custom team shirts" that she chose to have made. Nobody NEEDS to make custom shirts. That was your choice, Karen.
Anyway, how do we as a community prepare for race cancellations? I have a few ideas that I think are ALWAYS prudent.
1) Always make cancellable reservations. I know it's tempting to save a few bucks with the Advance Purchase hotel rate, but DON'T. Always always always make sure you can cancel your reservation, pandemic or not. Airline reservations are more difficult usually, but right now all the airlines are giving refunds. If you're getting a plane ticket for an event, you should consider trip insurance or paying an extra fee to make your ticket at least changeable.
2) Consider, if traveling for an event, making a proper vacation out of it so that a race cancellation will not literally ruin your weekend. If you can plan family vacations around a race (example: visiting Disney World when a race is happening in central Florida), it will be less devastating if the race can't happen.
3) Have a backup plan. This could be a different race that you could parlay your training to if your first choice is cancelled. It could also be a different idea for a vacation if you have a last-minute cancellation and can't change your travel plans or your time off work. You took a day off and now the race is cancelled? What else can you do to not waste the day?
Specifically with the coronavirus, experts are strongly recommending social isolation, or avoiding groups of people, particularly while indoors. As a result, many local gyms are being shut down for 2-3 weeks while we try to contain the effect of the virus on our healthcare systems. This can be overwhelming for many folks who aren't fitness experts and may have no idea how to train without a gym. Some recommendations:
1) Your backyard. This is a great place to prepare for OCRs because they take place on dirt rather than roads. Do burpees on the grass. Carry around a 5-gallon bucket full of heavy stuff (hammers, rocks, sand, dumbbells, soup cans, etc). Make a spear and throw it at squirrels (kidding, please do NOT do this, use a piece of wood or a proper target instead). Climb over the railing of your deck over and over. Box jump up your front stairs. Make your neighbors question your sanity.
2) Inside your house. There are workouts of all kinds available on YouTube and Amazon Prime. If you have dumbbells or resistance bands and a mat, you can get a great workout inside your house. If you have a treadmill or a stationary bike, awesome. Do burpees on your carpet. Just do burpees in general. Use this month to get awesome at burpees and you won't regret it.
3) Outdoors. Get to those secluded trails where the coronavirus can't find you. Explore the muddy goodness of a spring thaw on soft trails. Run or walk the paved trails. Go to a playground or park and play on the equipment (don't touch your face, and wash your hands afterward). Try to keep a bit of distance from others who might be out, and you'll be fine.
4) The gym. If it is open and you must go, exercise caution. Go to more secluded parts of the gym. If the guy on the elliptical next to you starts hacking (ugh, this happens too often), move to a different one at least two meters away. If the machine has a fan on it, turn it on so that you keep his nasty cough particles from lingering near your face cavities. Avoid crowded classes in small confined studios. Do not touch your face. Wash your hands religiously before and after your workout. Wipe down machines/mats both before and after you use them.
Remember, if you are young and healthy, this virus probably won't affect you. It's easy to be complacent and say you don't need to do any of this. But remember that us healthy folks can easily be carriers and infect many other people without knowing it. Some of those people might go on to infect others who are vulnerable. It is socially responsible for us to all isolate ourselves as much as possible in these coming weeks, even if you have extreme confidence in your own immune system. No workout or race is worth potentially killing someone. Have patience with race directors, who are losing money hand over fist. Have backup plans for your racing and training. And most of all, WASH YOUR HANDS. Constantly.
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