We'll meet again, don't know where don't know when...

About a month ago I came across a new phrase; race to train not train to race.  If this lockdown has demonstrated anything to me it's how true that phrase is.  Yesterday I started the Ultra Race Romania Lockdown - a 6 stage 70 km race.  I entered it two weeks ago and my coach changed my training schedule so I could be ready for it.  I've been so focused on this virtual race that my stats have gradually improved before I "toed the virtual start line" on Saturday.  Stage 1 was a 10k and I was under instructions to race it, no pacing myself.  Delighted with the 47min 28 seconds especially in the heat.  Today was a 12km run but the conditions couldn't have been more different, cold with a very strong wind.  Again I was to race it - 59min 10 secs, bang on target and I had to work hard in those conditions to achieve this time.  Would I have pushed myself so hard in training or in the race itself if it wasn't a race?  Definitely not.  Having a race, even a virtual one, creates focus and motivation so thank you to Andrei Gligor and his team for putting on this event.  Not only is it bringing people together from around the world, it's raising money and awareness for the charity Autism Voice.
For many this will be the first time they have competed 6 days in a row, imitating a staged race such as the one due to take place in Romania between 10-18th August over 250km.  The athletes will experience racing on tired limbs, running on blisters day after day and trying to pace themselves over six days just like the real event.  However they will be spared carrying their own gear, sleeping in tents, not being able to shower before and after the days run, eating boil in the bag food and running in dirty smelly gear.  Tough as that may sound, the friendships made in these races last a lifetime and I have made so many from all over the world with a number of them in this virtual race.
I'm loving checking out how they have done.  It can be difficult to compare times as much will depend on the terrain and climate.  It's difficult to compare against someone running in say Canada in the snow and mountainous terrain but just knowing you are taking part together in the same event gives me the feeling we're all one big "ultra family".  I look forward to reporting on the rest of the race next Sunday.
While we are social distancing, running with my usual training buddies has been a non starter.  But at least with the virtual races we feel part of something and can catch up over a coffee / beer on zoom to have a chat about how we're getting on.  I long for the days of a Saturday run at Chatelherault or up a Scottish mountain where it's so peaceful.
The title of this blog is my way of saying thank you to those that gave so much as we celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day this week.  Let's not forget what they sacrificed as we work our way through the greatest danger to humanity since the war.  Stay safe out there as this is just a period in time.  As Vera Lynn sang  "we'll meet again, don't know where don't know when...