- thehappytriathlete
Tale of Two Half Marathons
Zwift and IRL (in real life) a comparison
Zwift Half Marathon
Feb 23, I ran a half marathon on a treadmill. Yes, 13.2 miles on a treadmill thanks to Zwift Running and fellow Zwifter Ryan. Ryan posted an offer to do a run/walk so I jumped into the group. Ryan was great – he decided the run intervals would be 10:30ish pace for a mile then we’d walk for a mile and regroup. 5 of us formed our wonderful virtual group.
Highlights
No bathroom lines before the start
1 pm start option so got my 3-hour bike ride in before the run
Discord voice channel to chat each walk break – such fun.
The end of the walking mile where we all said – talk in 10!
Looking forward to the walk break
The bathroom break around mile 3 where we all pretty much took a break.
Who knew 3 hours could go by that fast
A kid found our discord channel via google so that was quite funny as he had no idea what he was listening to.
No chaffing as no race belts and I was able to run in shorts and a running bra
Learning about the 5 folks and their lives
Downsides:
3 hours is a long time to be on a treadmill
No ‘bling’ or finish line picture, cause anyone who knows me knows I LOVE the race pictures!
Was more sore than I expected since there wasn't terrain changes
A week later an ‘IRL’ Half Marathon
Lake Sammamish Half Marathon, Redmond Wa.
Couldn’t have been a more beautiful day for an outside run. Bluest of blue skies and the views were spectacular as they were of snow-covered mountains and Lake Sammamish.
Highlights
Gorgeous day
Being outside getting my vitamin D
Seeing lots of friends on the course
Cheering on others who may have been struggling
General energy of having people around you
Crossing a ‘real’ finish line
Getting a medal and hopefully a few pics
Meeting friends for lunch after the race
Even paces for the entire 13.2 miles
2:12 minutes was better than 3 hours.
No bathroom stops for me
Downside:
Bathroom line, but at least it was short
29 degrees at start line
Getting up early on a Saturday
Not actually running ‘with’ anyone, did this one on my own
Chafing as I ran in two shirts because it was cold and I am not use to running in the cold.
So…in the end, yes outside half was way more spectacular than my basement on the treadmill. On any given day, I’d rather run outside in the fresh air and all the other things that go with the ability run outside.
But….honestly when you break up the treadmill run like we did, have a big tv for zwift, a fan, ipad for texting and iphone for my music, discord, and being in shape to do this – I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It’s great to have the option of Zwift Running. Reach out if you want company on Zwift Running!
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