As I set out early on a Saturday morning it seemed like any normal Long Slow Run.... or at least that's what I told myself. However, this was never going to be normal lsr. This was for @marathoninaday in conjunction with @Mindcharity. My partner in crime was setting on her 13.1 in Portsmouth. Our brief was simple; run a combined 26.2 in 24 hrs. 

Running solo is tricky. It takes a certain mindset which, a lot of runners possess and actually embrace. Running a solo 'race' puts a whole diffferent spin on it which might not be for everybody. 

Firstly there are no marshals, no drink stations, no first aid, no spectators. You have to be entirely self sufficient. I run with a camelbak so hydration isn't a problem. The bottom line is BE SAFE!!! I wear an ID bracelet and have my phone/debit card handy. 

On virtual runs you pick the course. That's nice. I picked a nice, flat, interesting course which meandered from North to south Leeds, picking up the Leeds 10k course just for fun. So far sounds easy, right? It should be, however something gets in your head. Something eats away at that bit that mumbles 'PB, go for a PB'. So i did. You do feel the pressure. You know people will see your run. It's the Strava effect. 

So I finished the run with a massive PB and shared my success with.... nobody. THATS the down side. You are done and chances are nobody will know. 

If, like me, you are time challenged due to family commitments then virtual racing is a wonderful way to get involved with the running community. If it's for a wonderful cause then so much the better. Could I do a virtual marathon? Watch this space.