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It seems like I'm always hearing something about races. Someone is either thinking about participating, or is currently in training, or has just completed one. There are all kinds of options, too -- whether it’s something short like a 5k, or a 10-miler, or a marathon, or even triathlons. Even if they're not taking place right here in my geographic area, I still end up hearing about them because they’re constantly being written about online.
Sometimes I’ve met these race participants in person; others I know only through blogging. Although I also know plenty of people who've never taken part in this type of organized event, it’s certainly not due to having a lack of options.
What tends to catch my interest are people who have participated in one of these events for the first time. I like hearing these stories because there’s always so much clarity in the details. Everything is new and exciting -- you’re not sure exactly what to expect, and most people experience a sense of accomplishment and pride no matter what their final result.
You’d think -- since I enjoy hearing about other people’s experiences -- that maybe I’d like to add a story of my own. But I've never participated in a race. And I’m not sure when, or if, I ever will.
The reason goes back to certain things I’ve said in the past. Like...I’ve never been a big goal-setter. And while I’m not a late riser, I don’t like getting up earlier in the morning than I have to. I also have this personality where I really don’t like feeling like I “have to” do something.
Another thing is, I’m not a big fan of competing against other people. I like games that I can play by myself. Yes, I know that races don't have to be competitive unless you want them to be. But when I think about doing something I enjoy, I think about jogging through my neighborhood. Alone. I don’t think about strapping myself to a heart-rate monitor, and I don’t care how long it takes me to run a mile.
Taking this approach to fitness is my choice. I work out because I want to work out, not because I’m being forced to or feel "like I should." I don’t always find it fun, but it’s always my decision. If I were to specifically start training for something, I worry that I might start to resent it -- and I don’t want that to happen.
Is that a silly reason not to do something? Maybe. But at least when I'm looking for inspiration, I know where to look for it. Here are a few posts about first-ever race experiences:
Sarah at Recipes, Reviews, Running and Rants ran her first race this month.
Wow. What an amazing weekend. I ran my first ever race and can't wait to run another! Haha, I guess I've caught the racing bug. I'm not gonna lie, I thought I was going to puke, or keel over, or die when I was running, but afterwords...it's the best feeling EVER!
I ran [the 5k] in 25:58 and am SO HAPPY! I placed 2nd in my age division (20-29 years) and 4th in the women's overall (out of 209 women!) and 27th out of all 381 runners!
When Angela at Oh She Glows ran her first race, it helped to think about her reasons for running.
I chatted with a couple runners during the 1st km to try and relax myself. I talked with a couple women and told them about the fundraising and it instantly reminded me WHY I was running the race. Not to win, not to run the fastest I have ever run, but to run it for Chris and for Cancer. It really was as simple as that.
Running with High Heels On has a detailed report of her first marathon.
The Running Bug gives advice for preparing to run your first race.
(Contributing editor Zandria blogs at Zandria.us.)
