A few years ago I did a couple virtual 5Ks in which you sign up to run a 5k anywhere and get a medal according to theme of the run. For example, in the National Parks virtual 5k that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, I ran from our place in Printers Row to Glessner House, which is located in Chicago’s historic Prairie District. As a National Historic Landmark it is a part of the National Parks System. I also signed up for a virtual total solar eclipse run when southern Illinois was right in it’s path a couple of years ago, but being a brutal 95 degree day with almost 100% humidity, I opted to drink sangria’s instead at a winery whilst awaiting the eclipse. So no medal and a little too much sangria.

I am now getting all the virtual run, bike, or walk, ads on facebook. Today, I decided to sign up for another. The Lands Ends to John O’Groats Challenge goes the length of the UK; 1083 miles from Lands End in Cornwall to John O’Groats at the very tip of mainland Scotland. As I enter my miles biking, running or walking (remember to count those steps!), I move along the virtual map. Since my trip has been delayed for who knows how long, I figured this would be a fun way to “travel” and I’ll blog about the sites, lodging and, it goes with out saying, the pubs I’d visit if I were really doing this trip. And some of the places I actually have been to on previous trips. Since trip planning is my jam, I’m pretty excited. Who knows, could be a real time adventure someday!