It was a brisk 30 degree morning, but I had my hat and gloves to keep me warm. After a trip to the bathroom (oh, the line!) and a few dynamic stretches, I joined 2000 other people to run 10 miles through Charlottesville, Virginia, one of my favorite places.
Yes, I said run. Yes, I said 10 miles. Yes, there were hills. And I had a FABULOUS TIME. For those of you who have never run a race, or if it’s been a while, it’s time to sign up for one!
Benefits of a race – BEFORE
Signing up for a race is the perfect way to set up a SMART goal for yourself. It’s specific (“I’m going to run __ miles”), it’s measurable, it’s time bound. Once you send in your registration fee, you’re committed. If you want to improve your fitness or decrease your weight, a race is a great way to keep you focused.
Being committed, financially and mentally, means you’ve got built in motivation to train. When the weather is too wet or cold or windy, you might be tempted to skip a workout, but you can’t, because you’ve got to make it through your race! About a week before the Charlottesville 10 Miler, it was cool and windy, and I really wanted to bail on my run for the day. Then I checked the weather for race day. It was supposed to be cold and windy. 🙁 Grumbling, I pulled on another layer and headed out for the run, figuring I needed to prepare myself for the weather I’d be facing.
Training tip: If you don’t feel like working out, put on your workout clothes anyway. Chances are, once you’re dressed, you’ll be mentally on board.
The motivation is even better if you find a race buddy. Mine was my hubby. There were days when I didn’t feel like running at all, but then hubby reported he ran six miles. Well, I wasn’t about to let him be in better shape than me, so I got my six miles in. 😉
Finally, signing up for a race, be it a 5K, a 10 miler, or a half marathon, doesn’t mean you are going to compete in the Olympic trials. You can set up realistic expectations for the race, which means “finishing” is an acceptable goal. My goal for the 10 Miler was to finish in less than 100 minutes (averaging less than 10 minute mile pace). The people who came in first ran twice as fast as me and finished in under an hour. Good for them. I beat my goal, that’s what matters.
Benefits of a race – DURING
I’ve been a participant and a spectator at all kinds of races, and the atmosphere is always positive. These events aren’t competitions as much as a giant “we got this” experience. You feed off of the energy of the crowd, and it’s easy to keep going when you are surrounded by tons of other people doing the same thing.
All along the route of the C’ville 10 Miler, people cheered for us, rang cow bells, and held signs with encouraging words like:
- GO, random stranger, GO!
- You run better than government!
- Sweat is just your fat cells crying
- Run like dinosaurs still exist! (Held by someone in a huge inflatable T-rex costume)
As we ran through a hilly neighborhood, one supporter had speakers on his front porch blasting “Stars and Stripes Forever” by Sousa. At mile eight, there was a huge crowd of girls and a DJ cheering us on with
I love rock n roll, so put another dime in the juke box, baby…
The energy and music gave me a boost right when I was getting tired.
The positive vibe wasn’t always loud. On one of the last hills of the race, I passed a guy who was walking. He looked over at me, and I nodded at the hill and said quietly, “Come on.” He smiled and started running. Honestly, encouraging him had encouraged me too.
Benefits of a race – AFTER
Usually, you get a cool t-shirt, or maybe even a medal, as proof of your race day achievement. You’ll be in great shape, and more importantly, in the habit of being active. Hubby says he’s thinking about a half. Guess my training will continue…
When I’m having a rough day, and I don’t want to work out, I’m going to put on my 10 miler shirt. I’m pretty sure that will get me moving, because Running reminds me I can do difficult things.
Go find a race and sign up for it! And if you need some training advice, check out Train Smart, Run Forever and Runner’s World.
What is your experience with running races? Do you have one on your radar for the future?
Thanks for stopping by!
A big congrats, Julia!
I’ve only ever run a 6K–and that was to raise money for clean water for kids in Africa through World Vision. A bunch of my friends do marathons (mostly for clean water as well), but a few are avid runners for fun.
Jen, you bring up another great reason for signing up for a run — often, they benefit a good cause, like clean water. The C’ville 10 Miler helps fund a program to get technology into the hands of underserved children. A great motivator! Thanks for mentioning this. 🙂
Agree Agree Agree! I’m so proud of you – and kindof jealous that your running buddy is hubby. WAY TO GO. Yes to all the benefits. I ran my 13.1 “Shamrock Shuffle” on Saturday and felt the same way…also emotional at the end. So grateful for this body that can still move and RUN. What a gift.
I was thinking of you this weekend and am glad to hear the run went well. We’ve got to embrace and love and move these bodies and appreciate the gift we’ve been given and keep challenging ourselves. The race was emotional for me too – it was a huge goal for this year – and I was emotional too. Congratulations, and onward, right?!
So true, so true. I jokingly said “I came out of retirement” to run another half marathon with my sister who asked me because she said it was a dream of hers. See running is for her critical to her mental health, its helpful for me too for that reason. So when my sister asked and the destination was warm, sunny Ormond Beach, Florida…I laced up my sneakers in cold and snowy PA to train. No regrets because it was all that you said Julia and I proved to myself I can still run in spite of an injury history and that the clock doesn’t stop ticking. But the mind is powerful, especially when resolute.
I’m so glad your sister is still running and that it helps her. Running has always been first and foremost for me a huge help for my spirits. The physical benefits are great, but the mental benefits far exceed them. I’m so happy for you, and I hope you keep up the activity even though the race is over. We can do this!!