Fun fact: I’ve been lucky enough to run a half marathon in Hawaii!
Favorite #IndyMini memory: My favorite #IndyMini memory is from 2018 when I was first selected as an Indy Mini ambassador. I met a lot of great people in the running community that I still am in contact with. I also had a lot of family and friends sign up to run, which always makes me happy!
Favorite song to listen to when running: I don’t have a favorite song, but I do prefer to run to 90’s and 2000’s music.
Advice for #IndyMini first-timers: Taking on the #IndyMini can be intimidating. Trust your training, and take it one mile at a time. Take a break when you need to, and get back at it. The accomplishment you feel when you cross the finish line will be worth it!
How are you making your Virtual #IndyMini experience memorable this year? I hope to run the virtual #IndyMini on the Canal on the day the race would have been. I’m hoping to run with other #IndyMini participants to make it seem like an actual race.
Training for 2021 OneAmerica 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival Virtual 5K is no easy feat. But with every step taken and every mile completed, you are taking strides toward overall health and wellness. Staying focused on and committed to your Virtual Indy Mini training can benefit both your physical and mental health. During a time when overall health is more important than ever before, maintaining healthy habits and staying committed to daily exercise such as running and walking is essential.
Mental and physical health benefits to running and walking:
Routine exercise leads to overall health, which in turn leads to maintaining a healthy immune system.
Running and walking can boost mood by releasing endorphins, a chemical in the body that produces a euphoric feeling or “runner’s high.”
Running and walking can also reduce stress and anxiety through the secretion of endorphins.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem.
Exercising outdoors clears your mind and keeps you active.
Running and walking outdoors with exposure to the sun can also boost your Vitamin D levels, which is essential to the immune system to combat viruses. Though Vitamin D won’t prevent contracting a virus, it can help reduce the severity and benefit recovery.
Running and walking benefit cardiovascular health and maintain weight control.
Helpful Tips for Training:
Bring tiny movements into everyday habits: do squats during TV commercials, do lunges while doing laundry, walk up and down the stairs, etc.
Stretch your muscles a couple times a week. This is essential to maintain flexibility.
When running and walking outdoors, still follow social distancing guidelines: give other runners their space, maintain a 6-foot distance, and avoid physical contact.
Avoid extreme workouts as they may deplete your immune system.
Stick to a routine.
Though training for a half-marathon can seem daunting, knowing you are doing good for both your body and mind can give you some extra motivation and encouragement.
Achieve your fitness goals and join us for the 2021 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or Delta Dental 500 Festival Virtual 5K? Register today!
In 2018, April and Tinley were featured on the Indy Mini blog for their inseparable mother-daughter bond and love for running. At the time, seven-year-old Tinley was training to shave time off of her 5K while her mom, April, was an ambassador for the 2018 Indy Mini – her first Mini-Marathon.
At seven years old, Tinley was eager to run 13.1, and now at ten, 2021 is the year! In a few weeks, April and Tinley (and dad too!) will run the OneAmerica 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon together as a family.
Video Contributed by April Woodruff
To make Tinley’s first #IndyMini a memorable experience, April said they are planning to organize a small group of friends to join them along the trail system in Plainfield, Indiana. “This will be my daughter’s first Indy Mini and we are so excited to run it as a family.”
“Tinley is a huge motivator to me,” said April. “Her dad brings her to each one of my races and they cheer for me along the course and at the finish. Seeing her pushes me to keep going even when I may be struggling.”
One of Tinley’s favorite #IndyMini memories is eating breakfast at Charlie Browns in Speedway and watching her mom run by Mile 5. Then, they would go to the finish line where they could see her finish.
“I can’t wait to run it with her and my dad this year,” said Tinley.
It is evident the Indy Mini holds a special place in both April and Tinley’s hearts. The #IndyMini was April’s first half marathon ever!
“I completed 4 half marathons before I ran my first 5K. I have run 42 half marathons and less than 10 5K’s. The Indy Mini made me fall in love with half marathons!”
With 42 half marathons under her belt, April’s advice for first-time runners is to “Do it!”
April shared, “The Indy Mini is the greatest event out there. There is nothing like it. I had trouble training and wasn’t sure if I could finish it. I only made it up to 7 miles when I was training, but on race day I ran the entire 13.1. The energy at the Indy Mini is amazing, and it just encourages you and pushes you to the finish!”
Although this is Tinley’s first Mini-Marathon, this is certainly not her first rodeo. Tinley competed in the national Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships in 2019 and 2020. She was named the USATF Athlete of the Year for cross country for females eight and under. Her advice to other first-timers is simple: “Just keep running and you can do it!”
Don’t miss out on the 2021 OneAmerica 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon! It might just become a family tradition. Register at indymini.com/registration and share your training on social media by using #IndyMini.
Though we can’t all be together for the 2021 OneAmerica 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival Virtual 5K, you are not alone!
As we cheer on our Indy Mini participants, we have created some helpful virtual resources to help you stay connected with fellow participants and crush your Indy Mini!
Bring an in-person feel to your Virtual Mini with our Indy Mini app! Virtual participants can run with their phone or Strava, and their mileage will be automatically added to our official results. Participants using the app will even experience some of the Mini’s famous attractions – the sound of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, supportive messages from community partners, and more!
Join our virtual Indy Mini Facebook page! Here you’ll find a community of participants to share experiences, training stories, ask questions, get advice, and encourage each other.
Download and customize a digital bib for your Virtual Indy Mini or 5K! Once you’ve completed your miles, download your personalized Finisher Certificate to show off your hard work!
Complete your race anywhere, anytime! There are several tools you can use to create a safe route for your race near you, including running apps and map tools. We also put together some sample routes that you can use for your race!
Celebrate your accomplishments by adding an Indy Mini profile frame or post to your social media!
Podcasts
Share your run with your favorite podcasters! Podcasts can also be a great source of entertainment and motivation during your training and virtual race day. We asked our Virtual Indy Mini participants what some of their favorite podcasts are, check them out below!
“I’ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein”
“Another Mother Runner”
“Running Through It”
“Rambling Runner”
“Running for Real with Tina Muir”
Self-Pacing Tools
Use tools and resources to help pace yourself throughout your race. Smartwatches and tracking devices can be helpful tools to help keep pace while running or walking. Fitness apps can also be great resources to stay your pace toward the finish line. But most importantly, listen to your body and what feels right for you.
A few safety tips to keep in mind:
1. Familiarize yourself with your route before your race
2. Stay on well-lit paths
3. Let someone know your plan; they can also hold you accountable
4. Dress according to the weather
Check out more safety tips to utilize during your virtual race HERE. For all #IndyMini virtual resources, click HERE.
Customize your virtual race experience with downloadable bibs! Here are step-by-step instructions to digitally edit your bibs. You can also print the blank bib and fill in your information with your own art tools. Visit our virtual resources page on our website and select the bib for your race.
Open your Downloads folder
Open your bib file in a .pdf editing program such as Adobe Acrobat
There should be two light blue boxes that you can edit
Click on the top box and type in your participant name
Click on the bottom box and type in your bib number (You can pick any number!)
Save the .pdf to your desktop and print
Wear your bib while you complete your race and share with us on social with #IndyMini!
Celebrate milestones as you make your way to the finish line of the 2021 OneAmerica 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival Virtual 5K with our anniversary stickers! You can post these badges on social media and also add them to your bib and finisher certificate.
Fun fact: If I’m not running you can find me hiking, kayaking, biking or taking photos of pretty things.
Favorite #IndyMini memory:That’s a hard one. I have two. In 2017 when I PR’d every race in the #IndyMilers along with my #IndyMini. And of course, in the fall of 2017 when I was accepted into the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon class of Ambassadors!
Favorite song to listen to while running: Lose Yourself by Eminem. This song came on when I was running on the track in 2017 when I PR’d. Since that day it’s always been a favorite.
Advice for #IndyMini first-timers: Don’t give it a second thought! I registered for my first #IndyMini before I had ever run a mile and I’ve come back every year since.
Train smart, listen to your body, and don’t let the nerves get to you. Ask as many questions as you need and realize there is no such thing as a stupid question! After all, we all started somewhere. And most importantly take it all in and enjoy the experience. That includes every training mile and race day itself — it’s a huge milestone and one you won’t ever want to forget! Happy Running!
How are you making your Virtual #IndyMini experience memorable this year? Running a route in Speedway with a small group of friends where we will have water stops, family members as spectators, and a small after party!
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival Virtual 5K are more fun with others! Get your friends, family, company, or fitness group involved in your Virtual Indy Mini Team to motivate each other and provide some friendly competition.
How to create a Virtual Indy Mini Team:
On the first page of registration, select “Yes” when asked if you would like to join or create a Virtual Indy Mini Team
Click “Create a New Virtual Indy Mini Team”
Create your team name
Set a password – If you wish to keep the group private, then you will need to include a password. Then, share the password with whomever you would like to join your team
Spread the word – Share your team name and password with friends, family, or anyone else who would like to join!
How to Join a Virtual Indy Mini Team:
On the first page of registration, select “Yes” when asked if you would like to join or create a Virtual Indy Mini Team
Click “Join an Existing Virtual Indy Mini Team”
Search for the team from the drop down, or enter the team name in the search box
If prompted, enter the team password
How to Join or Create a Virtual Indy Mini Team if you are already registered:
On your confirmation email, please click “manage my registration”
On the next page, please click “view registration”
It will open up a new web page, and you will see some tabs across the top. Please click “Group/Team”
From there, it will prompt you to join or create a Virtual Indy Mini Team!
Team Captains
The participant who creates the team will be considered the Team Captain, and has the ability to customize the team with a logo or picture, invite participants to join the team, reset the password, and add other team captains.
