The Great Virtual Run Across Tennessee

Three day weekends are sometimes an opportunity to catch up on this and that, and I'm running a post or two behind where I'd like to be with this blog. The world slowed down with the pandemic, but it didn't come to a halt, and I've been out doing a few things, at a proper social distance.

For me, this summer will always be remembered in part for my virtual run across Tennessee. Virtual races is something I was doing before the pandemic with the UPWCs, occasionally. It's an interesting thing, for us who do lots of races and events. The inner argument is there as to why pay someone else for something that you do yourself, etc., and all that. Well, everyone can decide for themselves, but I've found some community and some personal motivation from some of these events, and I've always been less social than some, and so for me a few of these events have worked well. 

I signed up at the end of April for "The Great Virtual Run Across Tennessee", as I think I've mentioned in earlier posts. A number of good running friends joined me, though I never ran a mile with any of them "in real life." We stil emailed, messaged, phoned and otherwise communicated about our progress, which was motivating in itself. Congrats to BB, JM, EF, et al.--all finishers.

The first goal was to run, walk, or otherwise ambulate 635 miles or so between April 1st and August 31st. An online reporting site was created, and it interfaced with Google Maps, to show where you are vitually in your Tennesse crossing. One day I'd finish next to a church. Another day it would be a cemetery, fried chicken diner, or tire shop. I found that all somewhat amusing/entertaining.

For those who wanted more, they could go from "RAT"-run across Tennessee, to "BAT"- back across Tennessee. And many did, logging miles for three or more hours a day, probably avoiding the chaos in the news and maybe households during these COVID-strained days.

I wasn't running too much when I started, but my goals reset a bit as I kept going. I started doing lunch runs, and then evening walks, bumping my average day up towards 8 to 10 miles. On weekends, I went on tours around the Skagit, often following the path of the river out by Conway, over by Burlington and Sedro-Woolley, and around Mount Vernon. 

I ended up getting to the first finish line on July 11th, and then crossed the 1000 mile mark aroudn August 19th. As the summer went on, this whole thing was pretty much a success, as I lost some pounds, am running a bit better now, and saw the valley in a different light. I finished August at over 1100 miles. Buckle and pin awards pictured here. The buckle is as shiny as it looks, and has a picture of Elvis near Memphis on the map, which I think is kind of cool. 

Some of my favorite things from this experience were walking at night, as I got to know some of the constellations better and in particular scoped out the visiting comet Neowise. Jupiter and Saturn were constants all summer. I also came to really enjoy going out to Conway and back, on Saturday mornings. And the dike road behind Wal-Mart became a favorite loop from home. I saw deer, snakes, beaver, eagles, swans, herons, and so on--wildlife is not as wild as it used to be.

A very good experience. I've now signed up for the "Circumpolar Run Around The World", which is sort of the same idea but requires a team of ten. I don't know anyone on my team--or not that well--but we have some Canadians and Europeons, and it is looking to be a fun way to keep things going.

Wishing well to all my friends.