So I’m going to run the New York City Half Marathon, sort of…

As we enter 2021 comes the hope for runs and races, with other people. Unfortunately it looks like races for the first half of the year will continue to be virtual, with tentative plans for in person events coming in the summer.

Enter the NYC virtual half marathon for March 2021. As a member of Team Nuun, I read on our team Facebook page that registration for the race was opening. As virtual races have been the norm the past year, a $100 t-shirt and medal to run in my area didn’t really appeal to me, however this one had a different addition. With your entry and completion of the Virtual NYC Half in 2021, you get a guaranteed race entrance slot into the in person race in March 2022. Previously you need to have run a qualifying race time of sub 1:25 for my age. Though I think I’m pretty close to achieving that standard, having the option to race in NYC next year with a guaranteed slot was very enticing. The only caveat is if international travel will be allowed a year from now. I slept on it for a few nights and asked around for opinions and if anyone was interested in joining me. After asking almost every runner I know (all were not interested in running 21km in less than 10 weeks, training in the cold Canadian winter) I got one person crazy enough to join me, my younger cousin who jumped on entering the race even faster than I did.

So the next morning I decided I was going to give it a go with less than 10 weeks of training for the half. Your race time this year doesn't matter and would be a good way to keep me motivated during my winter miles. On the bright side, it’s only 62 weeks until NYC Half 2022!