I ran a half-marathon in October. While I finished the race (a happy thing, given my back issues over the course of the year) I would not really say I loved the experience.
I felt slow and plodding. The course was hilly. And despite being in autumnal Maine, only about 2-3 miles of the course were truly scenic. Most was along the main road. The logistics were complicated, as they always are with races — where you leave your car, what bathroom facilities are available, where you wait before it starts, how you get back to the beginning, plus since races are on a certain day at a certain time you get the weather you get. The “terrible weather” phenomenon was why I did not wind up running the Thanksgiving 5k I’d signed up for.
All this is more complicated than just putting on your shoes and running. So I was not thinking I would seek out more races.
But…As I looked back over my time logs from 2024, I saw that I truly did not run long or regularly without a race to motivate me. I mean, even with the race I topped out at 23 miles/week but without it I was running a lot fewer miles. And fewer times. Despite allegedly being an “upholder” I may just be an obliger in my middle age when it comes to running.
And then a series of events nudged me in the race direction. First, the Philadelphia Distance Run, the smaller one in September (not the Philly marathon/half-marathon, which is huge) sent around an email with a discount for the Eagles winning the Super Bowl. Late September tends to be a good time (it’s easier to train for distance runs over the summer than, say, in the snow and slush of February/March). So I decided to sign up.
The Broad Street Race also sent around its lottery entry. This is a 10-mile race in early May. While I don’t like the crowds, I do like the distance (it’s the last 3 miles of a half marathon that always get me…). I knew my husband would be running it since his employer buys a corporate entry every year. But I have not gotten in from the lottery in the past and figured I probably wouldn’t this time. Then, lo and behold, I did win a spot.
And then my running buddy Jane texted this week to remind me that she was running a local 5-miler this weekend. This race is sponsored by her local running club that she’s involved in (she normally runs in costume). We usually run together on the last Saturday of the month but she couldn’t this weekend because of the race…and then we realized that, well, I could run this race too. Not in costume. But we can just do our normal run in a different place. So now I’ll be running that.
So that’s three races on the calendar! And sure enough, I nudged myself to go a little harder on the treadmill yesterday than I probably would have. I will likely run a few more times and run a little farther this summer than I would have otherwise too. I have no time goals for anything, and I reserve the right to not run if it’s sleeting or 95 degrees for any of these races. But I guess I’m back to getting those race T-shirts…
If you run, do you sign up for races? Do you find them motivating?
Photo: From a race that was almost 9 years ago now!
I’ve done one timed race (a 5K) and one Colour Me 5K; both were really fun. Now that the kids are getting older, I’ll admit that the thought of a 10K or half-marathon is starting to sound a bit more appealing but not quite appealing enough to sign up for one yet. My son loves running and I think that will propel me to do some more races eventually. He will definitely leave me in his dust.
Just saying…there’s a marathon (and 5K, 10K, half, and ultra) in my town in October. And someone you know might be visiting the area at the same time. October in Nova Scotia is gorgeous!
@Elisabeth – ooh, that is tempting! I bet Nova Scotia is beautiful then!
I have done SO many races. I love them as a goal and reason to train. Everything from 5ks to marathons to triathlons. I find I am so much more consistent when I have a race. This year is my husband’s turn though. He is very supportive of my goals, always but i mostly don’t want to have to do the gymnastics of figuring out my training with his (he’s training for a full ironman so it’s a big time commitment) and I kind of want the break, anyway. It’s fine to go through ebbs and flows of motivation.
Last year I did a popular 10k here in Toronto on Mother’s day and I thought that was great! I ran a race and was done well before lunch and then got to be taken out for dinner. All around a day that was built for mom!
@Jen – a full Ironman does sound like a time commitment. I think a 10k is a great length – feels like you got a real run in but quick enough to go about your day afterwards. That’s how I’m feeling about my 5-miler this weekend. Should be doable (if cold).
I guess races do motivate me to run more, but these past few years that has backfired and resulted in injuries, so I’m not sure that a net positive. I’ve been doing weightlifting instead which has been fun! I signed up for a 5k this spring and I’m just going to see how it goes on a max of 10 miles per week plus weights. If it turns out not to be fun, which is a strong possibility, I don’t have to do it again.
@Omdg – weight lifting is fun – I’ve definitely enjoyed getting a bit more into that. I’m hoping to avoid injuries but we shall see…
When I started reading your post, my first thought was, “I can transfer my Broad Street bib to her!” I think my registering this year was foolish. I’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis since last summer. I registered during a moment of magical thinking. If I can’t transfer my bib to someone, I may defer until next year. And as part of my “training” for Broad Street, I had also signed up for the same race I think you’re running on Saturday. I am going to attempt that one. I’ve been doing run/walk re-training for a couple of months, and I want to see how I do. Last summer I was training for a half when the PF started. Such a disappointment, because I had been having such a great time with my morning runs. I think I prefer the grind of the training to the actual event!
@Meg- yep, sometimes the events themselves can be let downs. I guess it’s the journey, right? If you see me say hello!
I think you need to run in costume, and provide your readers with a photo!
Have a great race!
I try to do a few races a year and find it’s a great way to plan something fun to look forward to with friends. My favorite is the Fall 50 which is a 50 mile relay race in beautiful Door County, WI. I run with a team of friends and we divide up the legs to a manageable distance for each of us. Last year I also did a half marathon in April with a good friend which I thought would be too hard since it was such a busy season for our family. It was actually exactly what I needed in that season—the commitment made me stick to regular training runs and I loved having a weekend away with my friend—plus I was even faster than my goal time! We both signed up to run it again, even though this spring is just as busy. I’d encourage any parent of a graduating senior to schedule something that helps them meet their own goals during that school year, and for me that is a few fun races.
No, I’ve never signed up for races so far, Ms. Laura Vanderkam. What happens is that I run up and down the stairs 50 times each day as long as the stairs are about 2 meters high.
I’m quite sure that I run every day regardless of whether I sign up for races. Nevertheless, we can find ways so that a 3rd party can evaluate whether I actually run every day 90% of the time, Ms. Laura Vanderkam.
What I find helpful though, Ms. Laura Vanderkam, is that neither you nor I will care whether we end up in the top 3 in running races.