Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Runner Awakens

I recently had the opportunity to participate in The Runner Awakens.  It was a virtual run hosted by Level Up.  Having only participated in one other virtual race, I was a little skeptical.  I wondered what would make Level Up a different experience.  The online registration process was quick and easy.  The entry fee was also much less than the other company's virtual race that I had participated in.  That was nice...and different. 

My race was completed at the first miles of a long, slow run.
I had chosen the 10k as my distance and planned to run this race separate from anything else.  But, last minute travel plans interfered with that.  That's the wonderful thing about a virtual race.  You are not locked in to an exact day.  I ran The Runner Awakens as the first part of an 11 mile long slow run, I stopped my watch at the 6.2 mark to record my effort and make it official.   
Five Reasons to Choose Level Up:

1)  You choose the distance you want to run as well as the day and time that works best for you.  Grab some friends and make it an event or run it solo.   You've got options!

2)  If you get sick, if your plans change -- you can make adjustments without losing your race fee!  Level Up gives you a 15 day window to run your race.   In my other virtual experience, we were only given three days to complete the race.

3)  The Star Wars The Runner Awakens theme was spot on.   The next one is equally as impressive.  Stay tuned for more information on that!  Let's just say it will be "INCREDIBLE".
That tiny item is a quarter, in case you were wondering.
4)  The finisher's medal is superior!  Not only it is much nicer than my other virtual race medal, it dwarfs most of my half marathon medals.  It spins {hello!} and BB8 cannot be any cuter.  My teenage sons were definitely impressed by this one.  I like the idea you must earn the medal by first completing your race. 

5)  Level Up Virtual Runs gives back a portion of their proceeds to schools around the US who are struggling to keep their sports programs alive.  Your race fee is going to a great cause! 



I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta for Friday Five.
Please hop over to these blogs and check out the other posts too.


Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,
Mar from Mar on the Run!.







Disclaimer:  I was provided with a race entry in exchange for my blog post review. 
However, as always all opinions are my own.


Posted by at
Labels: running, female, masters ,

24 comments:

  1. Fairytales and FitnessMarch 24, 2016 at 10:08 PM

    I was asked to do a virtual run through Level Up. But after running my half last wkend and I have another race next wkend, I think I am going to take it easy and not commit to anything else in the near future. But that is a cool medal! Congrats!

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  2. MCM Mama RunsMarch 24, 2016 at 10:17 PM

    I don't really do many virtual races anymore, but that medal is super cute! Sounds like a fun virtual.

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  3. CocoMarch 24, 2016 at 11:58 PM

    I'm not really motivated by virtual races, but this one sounds good with its flexible policies.

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  4. runhikeplayMarch 25, 2016 at 12:49 AM

    I think virtual races are great because of the flexibility. It also depends on the theme and swag but I do like that for many, a portion goes to a great cause. Love the theme of this one and the medal is pretty cool!

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  5. SherryMarch 25, 2016 at 1:20 AM

    That is a cool medal. Loved that movie! Virtual races are nice and it's great that a portion of the proceeds go to great cause!

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  6. AnonymousMarch 25, 2016 at 4:59 AM

    Okay first of all that medal is AWESOME! And second I've done one virtual race and would love to try one again-I'll have to check Level Up out :)

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  7. Two Runners Travel March 25, 2016 at 5:45 AM

    It's a very pretty medal, I do agree, but somehow, I can't get interested in virtual runs. We have been asked by various companies to participate, and we did one when we were fairly new runners. I guess I want my medals to come from a race I drive to!

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  8. deborah @ Confessions of a mother runnerMarch 25, 2016 at 6:44 AM

    That's cool that you can pick your own distance! I did not know they did that. I love virtual runs we all can use a little extra motivation and bling right?!

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  9. TeamarciaMarch 25, 2016 at 6:57 AM

    Wish I'd realized the Star Wars theme before I chose not to do this one. Very cool medal!

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  10. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeMarch 25, 2016 at 7:22 AM

    I did a bunch of virtual races last year, and while it was fun to use them as training runs, I don't need the bling. This does look like a cool medal, tho!

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  11. ChaitaliMarch 25, 2016 at 8:31 AM

    That is a really cool medal! And I love that some of the proceeds go to a good cause.

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  12. emmers712March 25, 2016 at 9:36 AM

    That BB8 medal! Cutest medal, ever! I've never done a virtual run, but I do love me some fabulous bling. I might consider doing one in the future just for the swag!

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  13. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC March 25, 2016 at 9:58 AM

    That medal is PRETTY! I'll do (almost) anything for a pretty medal :)

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  14. Run with SoleMarch 25, 2016 at 10:02 AM

    That is an awesome medal and I like that you have a 15-day window. I will definitely check them out!

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  15. LesleyMarch 25, 2016 at 10:13 AM

    I totally signed up for that race because of the medal. I loved BB8 in the movie and of course, it's Star Wars.

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  16. SD MomMarch 25, 2016 at 10:38 AM

    I am a fan of virtual runs but I need shwag too, not just a medal. I know I know...so spoiled!

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  17. UnknownMarch 25, 2016 at 12:26 PM

    I was shocked at the size of the medal! I never dreamed it would be that big!

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  18. UnknownMarch 25, 2016 at 4:28 PM

    Its nice to know that the proceeds go to a great cause. I have not done a virtual race. They have not come my way yet.

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  19. MichelleMarch 25, 2016 at 4:51 PM

    I haven't done a virtual race in ages. Great cause and a very cool medal!

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  20. Jennifer @ Dashing in StyleMarch 26, 2016 at 4:49 AM

    I've never done a virtual race. This seems like a good one to do!

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  21. AnonymousMarch 26, 2016 at 6:42 AM

    I just find it incredibly difficult to move faster without all the hoopla of a race.

    My speedwork? I swear I'm really trying, but my race pace generally blows that out of the water & doesn't feel as hard!

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  22. Michelle @ www.movinitwithmichelle.comMarch 26, 2016 at 9:25 AM

    Love the medal!!!!

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  23. FIT Mama MeeksMarch 26, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    Way to go!!

    Love the medal.

    Love virtual runs....low key and you get bling...#irun4bling

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  24. FIT Mama MeeksMarch 26, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    Way to go!!

    Love the medal.

    Love virtual runs....low key and you get bling...#irun4bling

    ReplyDelete

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