🏃‍♀️Virtual to Victory: How Virtual Challenges Transformed My Fitness Journey🏃‍♀️

Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog!

Can you believe it’s been 5 years since I started this journey with you all? So many of you have been here since the beginning, it really has been a ride!

I first discovered virtual fitness challenges during lockdown, and honestly, they changed everything for me. Since then, I’ve completed so many and smashed goals I never thought I’d reach. Setting those goals has been a game changer. Not just for my fitness, but for my mental health too!

Escaping the Lockdown Blues

Lockdown was tough on everyone. We couldn’t go anywhere, I personally had trips to both Gran Canaria and Iceland cancelled. It left me feeling so trapped. That’s when I turned to virtual challenges, they became my way of “traveling” the world without leaving my village. It actually helped me stay motivated with fitness and reach new goals!

Back at It with Pacer Challenges

I recently decided to get back into virtual challenges and teamed up with Pacer Virtual Challenges to take on the Happy Birthday race. It offers four distance options: 3km, 5km, 10km, or 21km.

I chose the 10km option, not because I’ve been running loads lately (I haven’t, thanks to illness and life!), but because I wanted something achievable. I walked parts of it, but it’s the distance that counts, right?

The medal for this one is SO cute. It even comes with little Lego-style pieces so you can build a picture on the back. I made a “10K” to match the distance I completed!

So, What is a Pacer Virtual Challenge?

A Pacer Virtual Challenge is a goal-based fitness challenge that you can do anywhere. Using the Pacer app, you can track your walks, runs, hikes, or treadmill sessions through your phone or smartwatch. As you move, your progress appears on a virtual map, showing you how far you’ve gone along your chosen route. Some of these even follow iconic locations like the Great Wall of China or the Grand Canyon. You can complete the challenge solo or as a team—and yes, you earn a real medal and digital certificate when you're done!

Why Try a Virtual Challenge?

There are so many benefits, but here are some of my favourites:

• 💪 Motivation to Move: Living in a small village, walks can feel a bit “same-y.” Virtual challenges give you a reason to get out and finish what you started, especially when there’s a medal waiting at the end!

• 🎯 Easy Goal Setting: I often push myself by saying “just one more lamppost.” These challenges feel like that, little milestones that help you reach the big goal.

• 🏅 Celebrate the Wins: You should be proud of every step you take. Whether you run, walk, or cycle, completing a challenge is a big deal. I even did some of mine during lockdown on my indoor bike while watching Netflix!

• 🕒 Flexibility: No pressure, no deadlines, just go at your own pace. If you need a little push, you can team up with friends and make it fun and competitive.

• 🧠 Mental Health Boost: Having something to work toward helps so much mentally. It's about progress, not perfection. Focus on your journey, let the rest follow.

• 🌍 Virtual Adventures: My recent challenge was birthday-themed, but others take you around the world. I love learning about new places while staying active!

How to Choose the Right Challenge for You

Pick a challenge that fits you. If you’re new to fitness, go for a shorter distance and build from there. If you’re more active, try something longer. I like choosing challenges based on places I’d love to learn about or visit. Remember: small goals lead to big wins. Choose something realistic so you stay motivated!

How to Track Your Progress with Pacer

The Pacer app makes it easy to track every step:

• Walk, run, hike, or use a treadmill, Pacer tracks it all through your phone’s GPS or motion sensors.

• You can also sync it with Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin and more.

• As you move, you’ll see your progress on a virtual map, along with landmarks, milestones and stats like:

  • 📏 Distance completed vs. remaining

  • 🕒 Time spent active

  • 📅 Weekly progress

  • 🥇 How close you are to finishing and earning your medal

Let’s Talk About the Medal 🥳

The Happy Birthday virtual race is a limited edition, I adore the design. It comes in a cushioned showcase box and includes:

• A super cute bear magnet for the fridge

• LEGO-style pieces to build a design on the back of the medal (I made a “10” for 10km!)

• A colorful birthday-themed neck ribbon with balloons and distance labels

• A printable certificate to show off your achievement

• The little Pacer logo on both medal and magnet is such a sweet touch

I don’t have a medal rack yet, so I’m keeping mine in the box for now—but that’s definitely next on the wish list!

Final Thoughts: My Personal Challenge

When my mental health dips, I set a goal: 1 mile a day. It’s doable, consistent and way better than doing 5 miles one day, then none for a week. It keeps me moving without burning out.

I honestly recommend virtual challenges to everyone—no matter your age, fitness level, or location. Do them with friends, as a family, or solo. Set your own pace, enjoy the process and see where it takes you.

Thank you for reading! 

I can’t wait to share more virtual challenge content with you! Reviews, updates and new adventures coming soon 💛

🎉 Grab the Happy Birthday Challenge here:👉 Click to join

🛍️ Use my code "CHLOE20" for 20% off any Pacer challenge you sign up for!

Chloe x