Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Across the Bay 12K to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews.
This time last week I was supposed to be on a flight to San Francisco to meet up with a dear friend, and on Sunday we would have run the Across the Bay 12K. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities and I was really looking forward to this race, which would have taken us from Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge, and would finish in Aquatic Park. And of course getting to visit my friend would have been icing on the cake. But of course, COVID had other plans.
This is now the fourth virtual race I have completed this year, with several more on the horizon. When races go virtual, they generally allow runners to complete the distance on the day of their choosing, but I like to stick with the original dates. That way I can keep my races spaced over the course of the calendar year as originally planned. On Saturday afternoon I laid out my gear as if I would be lining up for an official race. Race bib and all, I was ready to go. On Sunday morning, I woke up to a heavy rain, so I decided to wait it out. That’s one of the benefits of a virtual race! Within a few hours the sun came out and the humidity started to drop. I had no real route in mind, but I knew I wanted to cross a bridge at some point.
I headed out the door at around 10:00 a.m., and lined up at the virtual start. I might have gotten the side-eye from my neighbor as I snapped my photo and started my watch. Oh well. I started what is my usual 5-mile loop, but once I got to Mile 1 I took a left and headed to the lake where I knew I would have a bridge to cross. There were relatively few runners and walkers on the trail, but there were tons of bikers out that day. Everyone was being respectful, keeping their distance and giving everyone space. I was wearing my Aftershokz headphones, which allowed me to hear the dozens of ‘on your left’ calls from the bikers. Now I know why bikes are in such short supply. I think everyone in my neighborhood bought them all!
I looped around the lake and when I got to the bridge I was about 3-1/2 miles into my 7-1/2 mile run. Luckily very few people crossed the bridge as I set up my camera to snap a few shots.
I ran another half mile and then turned around and looped back to the direction I came from. I exited the lake trail with less than two miles to go to complete the distance. There is a steep incline to exit the area which was NOT welcome after running over five miles! I slowly made my way up the hill mountain and exited the area. It somehow worked out perfectly that I was about 1.8 miles from my house, which was exactly how much I needed to complete the 12K distance.
It was so warm by the time I finished, I jumped in the pool, race bib and all!
I’ve done lots of races of varying distances, but never a 12K. I really liked the distance – not to short, and not too long! I was really looking forward to running across the Golden Gate Bridge and I hope to someday run this race as an actual event. The race is part of Run Local Events, which seems like a pretty cool company. According to their website, “5% of every dollar spent in the Run Local universe, from event registrations to apparel purchases and membership commitments, is given to partner organizations making a positive impact on our local communities”. I will definitely support this race community in the future. And by the way, check out the awesome swag!
How are you doing in this virtual-race world? Do you have any races that are still scheduled to take place?
* * * * * * * * *
On (or off) my 2020 Race Calendar:
January 9 – 12, 2020: Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge, Orlando, FL
March 1, 2020: Tokyo Marathon DEFERRED to 2021
March 15, 2020: Amita Health St. Paddy’s Day Half Marathon, Bolingbrook, IL POSTPONED until September FURTHER POSTPONED until March, 2021
May 2, 2020: Cinco de Miler, Chicago, IL Gone VIRTUAL
May 23, 2020: Soldier Field 10 Miler, Chicago, IL Gone VIRTUAL
June 21, 2020: Wonder Woman 10K, Chicago, IL Gone VIRTUAL
July 12, 2020: Across the Bay 12K, San Francisco, CA Gone VIRTUAL
September 12, 2020: Run Mag Mile, Chicago, IL
October 4, 2020: Bucktown 5K, Chicago, IL
October 11, 2020: Chicago Marathon DEFERRED to 2021
It’s a shame that your original race plans were cancelled due to COVID, but it sounds like you made the most of it! Congrats!
Lemonade out of lemons, right?
I guess virtual races are what we all have to accept for the foreseeable future. Nice job on getting out there and getting it done. I do love San Fran and hope i get to run there again sometime in the future
I bet we’ll be seeing virtual races through much of 2021. Might as well make the best of it!
Wonderful job! I love that you were able to hop right into the pool after!
I am scheduled for a 12K in October. Who knows if it will happen or not.
Thanks, Jenn. Anxious to hear if your race will go on. I know of some people who are lucky enough to have some held with some modifications.
Racing across the Golden Gate bridge would’ve been so cool. What a bummer it had to go virtual but it looks like you made the best of it. I’m still thanking my lucky stars I got my big races out of the way last year and made it to Bermuda in February before everything locked down.
Yes, I envy you for getting them done. It will be quite a while before I accomplish that goal.
I’m actually doing a virtual 7-mile race on the 25th, the Bix-7 😉 I do have a couple of live races (still) on the calendar…fingers crossed! I love San Fran…this would be an awesome race to do in person 😉 It’s great that you got to incorporate a bridge in your virtual race!
I love all of your posts and am anxious to hear about your virtual race experiences!
Great job, Linda!
I love that you stick to the dates and treat it like a real race, bib and all!
Races will be back and we runners have to make sure we’re fit and ready.
Breathtaking views of the Bay area were missed but happy you made the most of the run at home!
What can we do?
I try to keep it as authentic to the original plan as possible!
12K is a fun distance! I just got my t-shirt from the Lawyers Have Heart Race — I like that they were able to squeeze “virtual” into the logo. I’m tempted to do the Scooby Doo virtual race just for the Scooby swag, but that’s the only one that’s tempted me.