Out of all the reasons I run, racing is definitely at the top. Racing is the culmination of all the hard work I put into each training run. It is what gets me out of bed, on those days I don’t want to get up and run…again. Knowing I have a goal to accomplish, like an upcoming race gives all those runs so much more meaning.
I have so many great racing memories (and to keep it real, a few bad ones) but the races which stand out the most are the ones where I know I gave it my all. I’m talking the real deal – shaky legs, completely breathless, lungs burning. Where I know that I couldn’t have put another ounce of energy into the run, that’s where I truly feel that all the running that lead up to that point was worth all the hard work and pain.
Racing also fuels my competitive nature. I love the burst of adrenaline that comes with knowing that I’m competing against other women in my same age group, trying to run faster than all of them. Even if I don’t place (translation: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd), just knowing that I can race well and try to set a personal record (PR) makes it all worth it.
When I race, it is the ultimate proof of all the days, months, and years of running that have paid off.
This is why I run.
*This post is a part of a 31 Day Writing Challenge in which I celebrate all the reasons I run. You can find links to all the posts here.
That's such a great strategy and I failed to mention it, but it's certainly one I always do during a race.
I'm so glad you stopped by again. You're right, I was blogging very sporadically for a while after the baby was born (uh, no time!) but now that I'm getting into a nice groove, I think I'll keep doing it regularly because I missed it. I'm looking forward to reading all about your NYC marathon experience! 😉
Well, since I'm getting ready for my biggest race in a LONG time (the NYC marathon–as you know :)) this means a lot to me…But first–I just have to tell you that I have not visited your blog in a while…For a while I was checking in a lot and i think you were not blogging very often then. And now–BAM! You're writing every day! I can't wait to catch up on all of these–especially since they are about running. XO aloha
Racing fuels my competitive nature too, I love to pick out a runner in front of me and start reeling them in, but I mostly compete with myself.