Race to Run, Not to Win

Why race? Aside from the obvious answer of "for the free t-shirt," there are numerous reasons to enter a race, few of which have to do with winning.

Bear in mind that only a few runners—most of them way out of our league—are there to "win" any race. A slightly wider field of runners are aiming to win or place in their age group. But most runners bouncing up and down at the start line with numbers pinned to their shirts are out there competing against only one person – themselves. That's your goal as well. Forget the other runners. It's all about you.

Surprise Yourself

Racing is a great way to find out what you're capable of. The adrenaline rush of being surrounded by a group of runners is contagious and you might surprise yourself by doing better than you expect. You've heard people refer to their 5K or 10K times? This recognizes that you'll naturally run faster in a race than your normal pace, even if you're not trying for a win. The enthusiasm of the crowd and the day carries you.

Camaraderie

You're missing one of the great joys of running—the camaraderie that exists among runners—if you never race. You'll discover a brotherhood you never knew existed. People you don't know will offer you handshakes and high-fives as they chant, "good race." You'll find yourself doing the same. Everyone there recognizes the value—and struggle—of running. No one cares what your time was or where you placed. Runners know what counts is that you showed up and they'll respect you for it.

New Fun for Daily Runs

Racing can add purpose to your runs. We never utter the "d" word (dull) when it comes to running, but certainly having a goal to shoot for can infuse you with new life. You might want to finish a 5K in a certain time, or increase your mileage so you may participate in a 10K or half marathon. Running with the purpose of training for a specific event has gotten many a runner off the couch and out the door. Why? You know the race will be that much harder if you're a no-show for your daily runs.

Chart Your Progress

Who knew comparing your running stats to that of other runners would prove to be so endlessly fascinating? Not only does racing offer you a chance to see how you stack up against other runners in your gender and age group, it gives you the chance to compare your progress from race to race. Some runners enter the same races each year with the goal of improving their time from the year before. That's one option, or you might enter several different 5K races in one year and see if you can match or best your score in each.

All that being said, it's not essential that you race. If you prefer to keep your runs a solo practice, that's fine. But don't allow fear of a poor showing to keep you from the start line. I offer the story of a friend who trudged in dead last at a recent 5K. Her attitude, however, was not one of failure.