Life sure is crazy right now. Just when I thought things were showing small signs of getting back to normalcy the country falls apart. I absolutely believe things need to change and if you want to peacefully protest then do it. Racism and bad cops needs to end. Then there are the scumbags that use this crisis as an opportunity to loot and trash peoples’ businesses. My favorite part of Long Beach, California (The Pike) was ruined. I cry for the small business owners who lost everything they worked so hard for. It’s all just too sad.

Okay, now that I got some of that out of my system, let’s move on to running related craziness.

I’m sure everyone knows by now that for the first time in 124 years the Boston marathon has been canceled. The B.A.A. will be reimbursing all registration fees and all qualified runners have the option to run a virtual race. A virtual race! Yeah…NO! My husband was like “What does that even mean?”. Not being a runner he had no idea that runners are now expected (probably not the right word, more like encouraged or given the option) to run virtual races.

So does this mean I can almost finish the marathon? Of course not, but you understand my frustration. 

While the virtual race comes complete with printable finish line, finishers tape, shirt, and medal I’m pretty sure it’s not the same.  They also said all qualifiers from 2018 can register in September for 2021 but I’m not clear on if that is in addition to the virtual race or instead of. I do know that you will go through the same process as the original registration…waiting with fingers crossed, hoping your registration is accepted. 

Like most things in life, there are some positives to be found in this crappy situation.

Silver lining:

1.  Almost all the same runners that registered for 2020 will be registering for 2021 because there have been very few qualifying races so far this year and it’s already June.  So my chances are nearly (virtually) the same as last time. 🙂
2. If the race wasn’t cancelled, what was the spectator situation going to be like? Were people going to be allowed to gather to watch and cheer? It was a valid concern of mine but now it’s a non-issue. 
3.  I’m still going to Boston for a family vacation. And who knows, maybe there will be a group of runners that want to run the course “virtually”. If I can run it virtually and still run next year than that might be an option.
4.  I still can say I qualified for Boston and no one can take that away from me. 

A few bummer things (because you know there are some):

1. If I do get in for 2021 it will probably be just me and my husband going. I can’t expect the whole family to make a second trip to Boston just 7 months later. 
2.  How many times can a person train for their “last” marathon? 
3.  What do I do with my 2020 jacket? I’m going to try to return it but who knows if they will take it back. I can’t wear a jacket for a race I didn’t run. BQ or no BQ. 🙁

Would you want to run the Boston marathon virtually? What about the jacket? Would you wear it? 

Thanks for reading!

     Denise

I’m linking with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics and Debbie, Deborah, Rachel, Lisa, Jen and Sandra for Runners’ Roundup.