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Love running, hate racing
I used to do quite a bit of racing however only done about 4 races in the last couple of years and not enjoyed those.
I do an average amount of training (40mpw), and have no issues with motivating myself to run nearly every day,however the thought of racing does not appeal at all.
Does it matter? Do i need another approach? Anyone the same?
I do an average amount of training (40mpw), and have no issues with motivating myself to run nearly every day,however the thought of racing does not appeal at all.
Does it matter? Do i need another approach? Anyone the same?
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Comments
One strategy to liven up a race I do often use:
Start at the back.
Ok, means a bit of dodging around, trying to get past the mobile chicanes as a bunch of mates run 4 abreast at the start, but is fun passing as many as possible before the end. (Sometimes its not an option if the queues for the loos are too long and I believe better safe than sorry
As long as its a chip to chip race doesn't matter how long it takes you to cross the start line, think my record (not counting London) is about 8minutes and didn't pass my first runner for 2 miles or so.
But if you really don't enjoy races, Trail Runs?
I was actually not too bad either, sub 17 5k being one of my better performances and think i am about just as fit now as i was then.
I will enter a couple of fell/trail races and just go there with the mindset of enjoying it and see if that gets me back into it.
I love to race but I don't race in the winter and I enjoy all the months of training. When I decide not to race anymore I still intend to run every day, because that's what I like to do.
If you can look back in 20 years fit and healthy then it won't have been time wasted. A medal just means you paid money to run a given distance at a particular date and time, that's all. Some need that as motivation to get out and run - if you can get out there just because you enjoy it isn't that better?
I'm running a half marathon in a couple of weeks and I expect to absolutely hate it, but it's something I wanted to have at least tried. But all those people! All together! Trying to run faster than each other! Yuck!
I would think that runners who don't race outnumber runners who do by a fairly large number. I would think that those of us who like it for what it is are the 'norm'.
But, if I didn't like races!
In the last month I have run at Farnham along the North Downs, at Royston on the Harvest Trail, through Essex countryside on The Essex Way, non of which I could really organise and run on my own. For a trail runner who likes to get out then organised runs are so much easier than trying to find you own way around and you see so much more.
And to a lesser extent the same applies to road races; I travel up to 75miles away for a race(usually on my own), and my club occasionally organises trips further away and I am looking forward to a possible week running at Cape Wrath.
While no one is saying you can't run wherever you like, I do enjoy going somewhere with the specific plan of running an event and seeing new places.
I've seen some amazing and beautiful places that I would never have before if I hadn't gone there to run a race. This weekend I'm doing Loch Ness marathon and to run along the road at the edge of the loch on closed roads is lovely.
I do all my training alone and that's by choice.
Too busy basically isn't it? Go out on the lash and run it to clear your head the day after etc etc..Not heard great reports.
Racing is part of the gig for me. Being a member of 3 clubs it sort of has to
Two sundays ago I had 4 races in one afternoon. They can be annoying before - but it's a great buzz if you run well and come out on top. In the end you just do what you enjoy I suppose.
I must say being out there for 5 - 6 hours is just as good, maybe harder, then 2:30 - 3:00. I take it easy, and have never had a sports related Injury, and hope, at 68 I hope to Enjoy my runs for quite a few years more.
I may never Win, but can tick, & Continents Club, Grand Slam Club ( that's & Continents + North Pole ), Run Marathons all over the World ( enjoying The World at the same Time )
OK Marathon Pride, for me will never be about Winning or Good Times, But then been there, done it, and am proud of that. So, as long as you Enjoy ( and Finish ) your a WINNER after all there are still very few people who can say they have run a Marathon, Be proud.
back to it. Hurra
Oh, and yer Marathoners can have fun, Like running North Pole, well part of it as Polar Bear, then Polar Bear run London 3 weeks later. not easy, but wow it was fun,
My mindset was all wrong before, I used to think if i cant either get close winning eg top 10 or at least get a pb what is the point in racing, but i forgot the fact doing races is much more than that.
I think another added pressure is racing wearing my gps watch and post race it being micro analysed on strava with loads of people offering advice.
Overall conclusion = I'm actually a bit anti social and can't take criticism
That is just me...