It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to use the new FIVE MINUTE format, link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Last Friday I wrote about why I race a lot. This week, I’ll look at the other side of the coin:
FIVE REASONS NOT TO RACE OFTEN
- MONEY
Yes, racing is not cheap. Running is FREE!
Running & Eating – lots of fun without a race
2. INJURIES
If you are competitive, like I am, it’s hard to slow down when you are in a race. You may not stop when you should.
Racing with a metatarsal stress fracture
3. SCHEDULING (TIME)
Unfortunately, you can’t change the time or date of a race but you can run whenever you are able. And where ever you choose.
just squeezed it in after work and before a dinner engagement
4. LONG RUNS
I am the first to admit that a long run completed by adding miles in after a long break because you were running a race is not ideal when training for a big race. Plus, there is the race pace followed by the tired leg pace.
5k + 3.9 = 7 miles
5. DRILLS AND WORKOUTS AND TESTING NEW THINGS
You have to get them done during the week. Those hill repeats, tempo and progression runs will not happen in a race. And as you know, you shouldn’t wear or try anything new during a race.
new top, new skirt (too loose!!), new shoes – oh no!
Happy Running! Do you run a lot of races? If not, why not? Please share.
My First 5K and More... 
Yep, these are reasons I don’t race often. Mostly time and money. 😉 But, having a race on the calendar does motivate me to do all those other runs.
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I agree. I love racing so I probably do more than I should.
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Racing is also more time consuming than simply going out for a run. Getting there, waiting around for an hour, getting back home — it all adds up.
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But I enjoy it much more than a solo run.
I also would be less likely to run during the week if I didn’t have a race on the weekend. You are much more disciplined than I ( or you have to be accountable to a paid coach LOL).
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As you know I did my training long before I had a coach. Everyone is different. And therefore everyone does different things.
It’s what makes the world go round.
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That is so true.
I think I was more serious when I first started running half marathons. Now I realize that running is more about fun than finish times. But I am getting faster with less running. Go figure!
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Definitely true! Money is the main reason I’ve tried to cut down on racing. I’m thankful for the low key races the local running group puts on because they’re free for members 🙂
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I used to race a lot more than I do now. I just don’t care about my race times or who I beat anymore. Been there done that. Color me apathetic. I loathe having to add extra miles before or after a race to satisfy a long run. Not fun at all but I guess its good for mental toughness.
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Maybe when I have been running as long as you have, I’ll feel the same way. It still feel rather new and I am still hoping to get faster before I start to slow down.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel like running more miles when I am done with a short race but I know I can’t run 13.1 miles without any long runs.
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Money and time are definitely my main reasons for scaling back on racing. I’m only running a handful this year.
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I race for the social aspect – but this year, I’ve cut out a couple of races that I always have done, mostly for money and time constraints. It does add up, but hey – I don’t go to bars, so this is how I spend my beer money, LOL.
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Makes sense. Running is my social life as well.
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While I LOVE raceations, my bank account doesn’t, LOL. This year I’m doing way less races (I’ve only done one race weekend so far this year) because I am doing 4 racecations. I’m okay with racing less if it means I can travel more.
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Yes. I agree. My race-cations this year have been inexpensive – used FF miles for LV and Fla and shared rooms or stayed with friends.
That’s why I can’t do exotic places or races though I would love to. Too costly!!
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I do a lot of races, but I don’t have that “racer” mentality. Sure, I’m not slugging along, stopping for donuts at the water stations. Like Marcia said, I’m not concerned with every finish time or how many other runners I can beat to (every) finish line. I guess I’ve been there, done that, too 😉
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except for your recent One mile race!! LOL You killed that!
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Being injury prone myself, that is really what holds me back and keeps me at the shorter distances
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Makes sense and it’s good to follow what your body needs so that you can keep running for a long time.
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I don’t run a lot of races for all the reasons you listed. Now I don’t even sign up for them until a couple of weeks before. I never know how I’m going to feel.
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But when I do race, I feel so good that I throw all those reasons not to out the window.
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My fiance is definitely in the camp of doing less races and running more often. Racing takes up SO much time. Years ago I ran like 7 races in 5 weeks and ended up injured…ugh! It’s definitely important to balance it all!
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Yes. Balance is important. 7 races in 5 weeks? yikes. I thought I was bad.
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Yes to all that. I’m dialing back the racing big time this year for all of those reasons!
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I’ve recently cut way back on the number of races that I run. Pre-child, I tried to run as many as possible. Now, I focus on choosing quality races to run for many of the reasons that you mentioned above.
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Quality over quantity is good.
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I used to run a lot of races (12 in a year was my most) but now it’s down to 3-5 a year. It can just be too much with a young family.
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I have not run races for a while due to injury. But the last year I really raced I ran 34 races and it was not cheap!! I hope I can get back to racing soon! I do really miss it!
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I hope your injury heals soon and you can get back into racing. 34? You’re as addicted as I am.
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Thank you! It’s been an ongoing issue on and off for a few years so I hope it settles down soon too. I miss running and racing!
Haha yes! So much fun 🙂
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