Reasons to Race
Almost everyone comes away from
a community road race invigorated and inspired.
By Jeff Galloway
About half of today's runners never
enter a road race. That's a shame, because they're missing an energy
jolt that enhances the running experience in more ways than I can
possibly describe in a single column. Many runners find that participating
in races jump-starts their motivation for running; others improve
their performance by training for challenging events. Many recreational
runners are surprised to find in themselves the seed of a true athlete.
Here are a few goals that runners
at any level can accomplish through road racing.
Embark on a mission.
When you put a race date on your calendar, it adds meaning to your
training runs. You'll find more motivation for logging those miles.
Just finish it.
Most nonracers are surprised to learn that road races aren't supercompetitive.
Yes, a few speedsters at the front are going for the win, but the
rest of us are there just to finish, and to enjoy ourselves along
the way.
Start a running relationship.
While a few runners meet their future spouses at road races, thousands
more forge long-term friendships by comparing notes with and encouraging
others during the trek.
Have an adventure.
If your running is settling into too much of a routine, a monthly
race will help you shake things up a bit.
Tune in to your tribal instincts.
In a way, community runs echo prehistoric times, when our ancestors
migrated in groups to find food, escape predators and search for
better places to live. Things like cooperation and teamwork developed
to help us survive these journeys. So it's natural to feel a sense
of belonging when you gather with your community's fitness tribe
for a "migration" of 5 or 10 kilometers. To enter is to
join an enthusiastic, positive group of people who are pulling one
another along to the finish--and the feast afterward.
Get to know your town.
Running a road race allows you to experience a community more thoroughly
than many residents do. Suburbanites can safely tour downtown areas,
and inner-city denizens can get a taste of the suburbs. You can
string together your own racing tour of scenic areas and historic
districts you might not visit otherwise.
Sneak in some speedplay.
Many of us want to improve our pace but have trouble doing the faster
training that can make it happen. By running two 5-K races a month,
you'll incorporate enough speed to improve, without having to do
the work alone.
Take an annual fitness test.
Almost every year, I run Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race to see if
I've lost any speed. Events that are always run on the same course
give you a good measure of your progress.
Be inspired. From
the kids' energy to the determination of the 70-plus group, from
the beginners' fresh enthusiasm to the grace and speed of the elites,
you'll come away with enough inspiration to last for weeks.
Win some prize money.
A group of fun-runners I know pooled all the loose change they found
on runs during the year into their own prize purse at an annual
race. You and your running friends can arrange your own reward system.
Extend yourself. About
half of those who enter races don't push themselves at all. But
if you wish, you can challenge yourself a bit. You'll usually find
that you've got a lot more inner strength than you gave yourself
credit for.
Feast! Most races
have a food reward system beyond the finish line. And some runners
choose a special reloading restaurant where they gather after a
race.
Remind yourself that we're at our best when we help others.
It's so easy, yet so satisfying, to give support and +encouragement
at a road race. Races put us into this positive role and virtually
guarantee uplifting feelings
afterward. You'll increase the effect when you get one or more new
racers to join you each time. All you have to do is ask--and give
them an entry form.
