FAQ
Questions Answered Here (Scroll for Q&A.)
Can I race before the scheduled start?
But that's four races - five if I'm doing the marathon - in fifteen days. How can I get all of those done?
Can you give me an example of how I can plan these distances?
What is the difference between Marathon (One Day) and Marathon (Multi Day)?
Can I count my other races toward my Marathon?
Can I race a given distance for one virtual race and use it here, too?
What's the difference between the two training options?
What's the Facebook group for all of the points stuff?
So what is this about points and Earned Extras?
When can will bibs be ready?
What if want to upgrade to the whole series?
Q. Can I race before the scheduled start?
A. That's up to you, but it isn't the intention. We aren't requiring proof of when you race. Bibs won't be available prior to 12/9 and results entry does not open until 12/10. There will be no accommodation to participate in Earned Extras posts for those who choose to start before 12/10.
However, there are plenty of ways to get in all four races and even the bonus marathon, within the 20 days.
Q. But that's four races - five if I'm doing the marathon - in fifteen days. How can I get all of those done?
A. Most folks who are trained up to complete a 10-mile race or a marathon will already be doing at least one more workout during the week. Typically, racers do 3-5 workouts a week, including their long workout that prepares them for greater distances, at least when they're training for a race of 10K or more, and one mid-distance workout, if they're doing half marathon or more.
Q. Can you give me an example of how I can plan these distances?
A. Sure! In fact, here are a multiple examples.
1. Simply make one of your workouts during the week at race pace, do one long race on the first weekend, make another workout during the second week also at race pace, then race your other long race on the second weekend.(Bonus Marathoners: Do your 10-Mile the first week as your midweek mid-distance and the 5K as your speed work the first week.)
2. Do 5K before or after work on Wed,12/16, 10K on Sat, 12/19, or Sun,12/20, 5-Mile before or after work on Wed, 12/22 or on Christmas Day (Fri), and the 10-Mile on Sun, 12/27. (Bonus Marathoners: Do your 10-Mile the first week as your midweek mid-distance and the 5K as your speed work the first week. Do the marathon in the second week.)
3. Or, if you absolutely couldn't do anything during the week, 10K on Sat, 12/19, and 5-Mile, Sun, 12/20, and then 10-Mile, Sat, 12/26, and 5K, Sun, 12/27. (Bonus Marathoners: 10K on Sat, 12/19, 10-Mile, Sun, 12/20, 5-Mile on Christmas Day, 5K, Sat, 12/26, and Marathon, Sun, 12/27 (or across 12/26 & 12/27, if doing Multi Day)).
4. Double up two of your races on the same day. So, do your 5-miler on Sat, 12/19, or Sun, 12/20 followed by your 10K, with or without a break in between as your schedule makes sense. Rest up through the next week. Do your 10-miler on the second weekend and your 5K during the week after that. (Bonus Marathoners: You might triple up. Sat, 12/19, might be 5K, 5-Mile, 10K. Sun, 12/20, could be 10-Mile. Do the marathon in the second weekend.)
5. You could double-dip. While not what we had in mind with the challenge, technically, if you're doing 10 miles, you have to do 5K, 5-Mile, and 10K to get there. Same with the bonus marathon. Double-dipping is described on the registration page under "When to Race and Related Details." Scroll to the information under all sign-up rectangles on the Event Info tab. Nutshell: It technically satisfies all the distances, but it reduces your Earned Extras points opportunities and means you have to break down your long race into multiple distances after the fact to enable you to enter your time for the results.
Q. What is the difference between Marathon (One Day) and Marathon (Multi Day)?
A. Racers have 24 hours to complete the marathon, including any breaks they take, with Marathon (One Day). If they don't believe they can do 26.2 miles within 24 hours, they can choose Marathon (Multi Day), which gives them up to 72 hours, consecutively or not. They are scored separately.
Q. Can I count my other races toward my Marathon?
A. See Double-Dipping on the registration page under "When to Race and Related Details." Scroll to the information under all sign-up rectangles on the Event Info tab.
Q. Can I race a given distance for one virtual race and use it here, too?
A. That's up to you! It is not against any rule here.
Q. What's the difference between the two training options?
A. Holiday Hustle: Up to 10K Training for Races Around the Holidays is for people who are doing one or more 5K, 5-Mile, or 10K through December, but not longer distances. Holiday Hustle: 10-Mile to Marathon Training for Races Around the Holidays is for people doing the whole series, just the 10-Mile, or adding the marathon.
Q. What's the Facebook group for all of the points stuff?
A. We transitioned to https://www.facebook.com/groups/obatronfitnessconversationspace from our first series. This way, people won't have to join a new group every time we have a new race or series.
Q. So what is this about points and Earned Extras?
A. To give people more out of virtual racing than a feeling of buying swag, we created a Facebook group where people can interact, including participating in challenges for which they collect points. When they hit certain themed tiers, they earn an extra out of that tier. We have seven tiers. The first five yield a guaranteed goody. The last two earn chances to win premier prizes from our sponsors. See "Earned Extras" in the menu by clicking the "More" tab.
Q. When can will bibs be ready?
A. Bibs will be ready by the day before the series officially starts.
Q. What if want to upgrade to the whole series?
A. Send a message to us and we'll give you a coupon code for up upgrading so you don't pay more than you would have if you'd chosen the series to begin with.
