[sistergoldenhair]

It kept me on the monotonous elliptical 30 min. longer than I wanted to be there yesterday!

 

[batmomm]

um the highly competitive nature in me loves VRAA!!! Even though I know I can't catch IEH4M I will die trying. So a swimming and a running I go!! Also I got to meet one of my capy-tans MyKemp1971 and hopefully will catch up with Kruss in 2 weeks!! That's right there will be at least 3 members of team H running an M that Saturday!!!!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

 

[hahaoya]

One thing I really appreciate about the VRAA is that it introduces me to folks I know very little about. Also, it's wonderful that there is a mix of abilities and experiences, and I'm blown away by both the heavy hitters and those starting out. All spectrums of what everyone brings to the teams make these teams a team. Interesting, too, is seeing the tri folks compete with strictly runners. And then you've got that crazy guy on rollerblades. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[mykemp1971]

I'm not a capy-tan though - that's Root's and Kruss <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> but I did stay at a holiday inn express once - so that might make for some confusion...<br><br>
The VRAA has helped keep me going during a time when I was feeling some burnout, it's made running fun again <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> I'll sign up again for sure.<br><br>
I've got a great Team - <b>Team H</b> - batmomm's from the RIC just like me, and we have some kick butt runners. I'd like to thank my teammates for being so cool - and logging some miles for me while I was sick for the first 3 or 4 days of the VRAA.<br><br>
I'll be seeing <b>batmomm</b> at some races in the future (Richmond Marathon and the Turkey Trot 10k).

 

[roots]

Wow - another round of the VRAA is now in the history books.<br><br>
If you have not had a chance to share here, we'd like to hear how the VRAA motivated you. Did you achieve a PR race, or any sort of personal best? We'd like to hear that too.<br><br>
Below is a copy and paste from another thread. I like this:<br><br>

 

[sauconRunner]

I wasn't training for any races during this round so it definately made me get out there and do something even if I wanted to slack.

 

[mykemp1971]

I had a banner day this past weekend <b>ALL</b> because of the <b>VRAA</b><br><br>
I improved my Marathon time by almost 4 minutes... I'm in the ballpark now for a BQ. I met three other <b>VRAA</b> runners at the marathon <i>two from my team <b>Team H</b></i>!<br><br>
Definately a good time - I was on a fantastic team. It was great to be a part of <b>Team H</b> and it was great to compete with all of you other VRAA runners/bikers/swimmers (and) yoga practicioners <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[Labduck]

I twice completed the equivalent of a sprint triathlon during VRAA, and I'm not even a triathlete! There is no way I would have done that if it wasn't for VRAA and and the great folks on Team H.

 

[solitude]

I know I was just a badass-in-training, but knowing that I was helping out my team to get points was highly motivating to me. There were days that my body just frustrated the crap out of me and I didn't want to run. I just wanted to give up. BUT, I kept going and now I can run a mile straight. If I didn't feel like I HAD to get points for our team I might not have gone and run at all. I just can't wait to get back to where I was before all of my ITBS issues.<br><br>
When does the next one start? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[wanderingoutlaw]

VRAA motivated me to take my bike out of the cobwebs in the garage so I could earn some more points on a running rest day. I also walked a couple days when I normally would have sat around at home.<br><br>
The best part of this VRAA for me was meeting lots of new people. Being the shy lurker I tend to be, posting on my team thread and on teammate's race reports was a heckuva lot less intimidating than wandering into the PRT or one of the running clubs threads.

 

[batmomm]

all I know is I'm lost today without my team to work for, marathon over, maintain campaign here I come...<br><br>
I loved meeting my team, I loved the competition, I loved the trash talking...

 

[*Marianne*]

This was great for me. I often ran more miles than my schedule called for and I was more faithful about doing strength workouts (I still didn't do them as often as I should have!). I also added crosstraining to my routine.<br><br>
I can't WAIT for the next one!! I think VRAA is awesome and I thank those of you who organize it etc!!

 

[Jensparks]

While I stuck to my running schedule already in place, participating in the VRAA encouraged me to cross-train a lot more. I also rediscovered the benefits of doing yoga regularly. I managed to earn points every single day, and did some form of cardio (either running, biking, hiking, or elliptical) EVERY day which was huge for me and kicked my post-holiday butt back into better shape.<br><br>
Thanks to everyone for a great VRAA!

 

[kimbro]

VRAA helped me stay on course with my running and other exercises. It picked me up when I was down and it made me do a cardio workout ( Bike- which I disliked before) to get more points. I went to the gym and did Yoga and even hired a personal trainer. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br>
Thanks to VRAA I am in better shape and stayed motivated. Can't wait for the next one to begin- Will bellydancing classes count??<a href="http://www.mrblonde.com.au" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/winking/winking0047.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a>

 

[Billy]

Excellent. I think bellydancing would count as an alternative workout.

 

[Gingerbread]

I'm down with belly dancing as an alternative workout, certainly.