Getting my virtual kicks on Route 66

Since the first lockdown I’ve been a sucker for creating my own – or joining another’s – virtual challenge on the likes of Strava to keep me motivated rather than fed up at missing out.

Proper multi-day overseas ultra marathons bring with them the opportunity to discover a new and often off-the-tourist-path course, different climate, different people, customs and languages – and, of course, the medal at the end (as I often say, it’s all about the bling!).

When I have run these virtual races – be it round my garden or when allowed locally around the streets and parks – I always manage to switch off at some stage and visualise what it would actually be like to be running right there and then.

This week had me doing just that, because I have been virtually running the length of Route 66 in the USA and I am nearly finished with under 200 kilometres to go of the

3,669k I embarked on just after lockdown started.

I had visions of dusty streets, hot dogs, baseball, big cars and everyone saying

“have a nice day”.

Before I knew it, I had knocked another 20k off the target and came home with a memory as if I had actually been there.

I see snow forecast today and that has me visualising my next virtual challenge, the 6633 Arctic Ultra. I have been in this race for real twice before, but this year Covid stopped me going a third time.

However I am already imagining a sub zero snowy start on March 1 and, again, you can join me too with the profits generously going to Prostate Cancer UK, just visit this link

I visualise what it would be like to be there running

Why not take on the adventure yourselves and get set for a month of joyous visualisation to take the Covid blues away. More about this in March.