running: virtual races.

As I mentioned in my last post, I've decided to start running as a new hobby. I also brought up virtual races; here's a bit about them.

I had already decided to commit to running as a hobby when I stumbled by chance upon this concept of virtual races, and, specifically, the Hogwarts Running Club.

Oh my goodness. Holy Motivation, Batman! I think I found something to give me a much-needed extra push to commit to this running thing.

Basically, it's a not-for-profit group that hosts several virtual races a year; you sign up, pay the entrance fee, run the race on your own time wherever you want, and they mail you an amazing Harry Potter themed race medal, specific to the theme of that particular race. The rest of the proceeds minus the medal money goes to selected charities the club sponsors.

All photos via hogwartsrunningclub.org

So, this is definitely something I am interested in doing. But I honestly can't afford to spend the money on all of the races. But there's another awesome way to stay involved without spending: the House Cup competition.

Basically, you choose (or go to Pottermore and get sorted) your Hogwarts House, and join the Facebook common room for your House. Then, you download this app called Charity Miles, which donates money based on mileage to a variety of charities. Through the Charity Miles app, you join your House's team, and use the app to log your miles ran/walked/cycled; this keeps track and adds your miles to your house's for the House Cup competition. I'm not sure how the final tally will be determined, since the Houses don't have equal members (sorry Hufflepuff, womp, wommmmp) but the donation and competition aspects, as well as the obvious Harry Potter appeal, is enough to get me excited. And even when I'm having a rough stretch where finding time to do my solo runs is difficult, I can still log miles in the form of family walks in the evenings. I can't help but think it's a little cute that as we walk the dogs, they are, in a way, helping us raise money for the ASPCA...aww.

This all gets me very excited to add Hogwarts Running Club races to my running goals, all while participating in the House Cup competition as I train! I think I am going to set aside some birthday money to do at least one, or perhaps two, races before the year is out. A new race will be announced in less than a week, and I can't wait to find out what it is! 

Oh, and I should add...Hogwarts Running Club isn't the only virtual race organization out there. Here are a few of the other geeky-themed virtual race sites I've stumbled upon of late:

The Nerd Herd

This year's races are Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Doctor Who-themed! I believe they're going to do a Time Travel event where you can participate in a previous race from earlier this year.


Virtual Nerd Runs

This year's nerdy-themed races which are still available are the Jedi Challenge (the medal is AWESOME) and a Back to the Future-themed race!


Moonjoggers

Like the Hogwarts Running Club, this one is more than just a series of races; it's more of an interactive online community for nerdy virtual run participants to connect and encourage one another. The overall challenge each year is to log enough miles to reach a destination in our Solar System; this year is Mars. In addition, individual races include themes such as Spaceballs, Independence Day (as in the movie), and E.T. Also, I am totally bummed I already missed their Klingons Against Cancer race! Because, Klingons!!

Count me in!

another new hobby: running.

As if I don't already have basically no time to do artsy or crafty stuff anymore with a baby in my life (definitely not complaining!), I've decided to add another hobby into the mix:

Running.

Yes, you heard me right. She-Who-Hates-Exercise has chosen to begin exercising for FUN.

No, I didn't sustain a head injury during the process of childbirth. I really am trying to make a go of this. See, if you know me very well, you probably know that I am uncoordinated, out of shape, and am not a big fan of physical activity. I do much better in the realm of the brain than in the realm of the body. But I need to change that, for a number of reasons. So, it dawned on me that running might be a good option to try. Here is why I'm a crazy person and have started running:

/// My health!

/// Weight loss - not my primary reason but also a nice perk. I still have baby weight I'd like to lose eventually!

/// To get in shape for the possibility of having 3 kids. We definitely want 2, and possibly 3. Since I'm not all that young and starting a smidge on the late side, I kind of feel like I need to turn the clock back on my body a little to make possibly enduring 3 pregnancies easier on me!

/// To get in shape for keeping up with a toddler in the near future!

/// To boost my self-confidence. Childbirth really gave me a confidence boost, and I find myself coming down off that now and wanting another source of confidence-boosting.

/// To have a hobby that I can make time for and don't feel guilty about because it's also for my health! I know I shouldn't feel guilty for making me-time simply because I have a baby...but that doesn't change the fact that I do. But when my me-time is also exercise to keep me healthy, it helps alleviate that inevitable guilt.

/// There's a whole hobby-culture around it, so I can use that to make exercise fun for myself. It makes it a whole lot more motivating to think I am a part of a community of runners!

/// I don't need special equipment, training, or a gym. That means it's cheap (can be free, even), and there are few good excuses for not doing it.

/// It's social! I've already got one 5K planned that I'll be running with my bestie and seeing a work friend at, and I'm keeping an eye out for another 5K to do at some point with a different work friend. Lots of people run, and like to run together!

/// I get cool shirts, occasionally medals, and other goodies! 

/// I can hold myself accountable by signing up for (and paying for!) races! I can even do that with virtual races, which are flexible when and where I finish them, but will still make me want to hold myself to putting in the miles to earn the medals.

/// There will always be room for improvement. ((Especially for me!)) And it is so motivating to see myself improve!

/// I can motivate myself by buying fun gear (shoes, clothes, trackers, etc). It's not necessary to the whole thing, but it makes it fun. And as a casual runner, I'm not above buying CHEAP gear.

/// It's kind of trendy ;) . I want to be that 30-something who runs 5Ks and drinks beer at local breweries and takes her kid to farmers markets. Pretentious? Maybe. But fun!

/// Anyone can run...even me. No experience necessary. 

/// I want to set an example for my daughter, as a mom who has a healthy relationship with exercise. It will definitely be a process for me to build that relationship, so I'm starting none too soon.

/// I don't have much time to read anymore...but I can listen to audiobooks while I run!

So far, I have had difficulty figuring out how to fit regular runs into my schedule with working full time and having a baby. But eventually I'll get into a rhythm where it fits into life. And I'm NOT good at it yet--I do an awful lot of walking between stints of running--but like I said, I can always be working on improving, and find that motivating. 

Also, as I mentioned, I've recently discovered virtual races, namely the Hogwarts Running Club, and so that is going to be a big motivator for me, too. (More on that later!) In fact, I've started my fifty-bajillionth reread of Harry Potter in audiobook format while I run to get me in the mood for it. After that, I'll move on to other audiobooks; suggestions welcome!!

So, if you run, why do you do it? What motivates you? Any tips for a newbie like me?