Run a Virtual 5K with me and the Mamavation team

I’ll be running the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. (credit: flickr)

I’m pretty excited about this opportunity to run a “virtual 5K” and I’m hoping you join me and the Mamavation team of 25 bloggers to do so on March 31st.

What is a virtual 5K?

The idea is simple: because social media and my blog connect all of us us from around the world, getting together for a three-mile run is kinda tough. So all you need to do is lace up your sneakers on March 31st and run around your own neighborhood then report back to us. We’ll be connected virtually!

The sponsor for the virtual 5K is Omron Heart Rate Monitors who have just introduced a snazzy new design that doesn’t require a chest strap. I’m testing the Omron beginning today and will be reporting back how I like it. (Yes, the company provided me with a free one to test.) You can follow along with myself and 24 other bloggers using the Twitter hashtag #IheartOmron to see our progress.

The group of bloggers is pretty great; we span from first-time runners to serious athletes. There were over 400 applicants to be a blogger ambassador and I’m thrilled that I was chosen. I’m definitely on the “beginner runner” end of things. (I am NOT fast!)

We’re being guided by Mamavation guru Leah Segedie’s husband, Mark, and you can check out our 5K training plan for yourself.  The plan is geared to someone who can already run a 5K and is designed to increase their speed, it’s not for you if you’re just starting out.  I know the cross-training plan isn’t going to be good for my knees, so I’ll be sticking with Pilates for my cross-training and core work.

If you’d like a bit of an easier plan, I suggest the Couch to 5K program, which is great for first-timers or re-starters!

There are no rules for this virtual 5K other than to get out there on the 31st. It’s fine to walk the distance, run it, or a combo of both. Heck, you don’t even have to do the entire three miles if you’re not up for it. Just getting out there and covering any distance is fine by me. The idea is to get into a training mindset and have a whole bunch of people virtually supporting you.

By the way, if you’re in the Boston area, I’ll be running my virtual 5K at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir (over by Boston College) … twice around is a perfect 5K!

I’d love to see you hashtagging along with me! Let me know if you’d like to join in or if you have any questions about training. I’m happy to answer them.

Cheers,

Lisa

(As part of being on the Omron/Mamavation team, I did receive a heart rate monitor for free and also a small amount of financial compensation.  That said, I’ll be blogging my experiences without editing … sore knees and all.)