If you training for a big race: a half marathon, a full marathon or an ultra, it is tempting to skip races during your training cycle so you can complete all the weekend runs on your plan.

If you are not training, you also may feel that there’s no reason to race.  You can just run for fun on the weekend.

Here are my Five Reasons to Race Often:

1. Races are more fun.

Running is supposed to be fun, right?

I don’t know about you, but I rarely have fun during my weekend runs. I get them done. Period.

The atmosphere before a race is inspiring and the feeling of accomplishment after a race is addicting.

2. It’s a speed drill in disguise.

Even if you say that the race only a training run or  you don’t care about your pace, most likely the enthusiasm and crowd support will have you running faster in a race than in your weekend run.

3. Free water stops, porta-potties and post-run refreshments.

Ok, not free because you have to pay to run the race but you know what I mean.

It’s welcomed support before, during and/or after your run.

4. You can practice race pace.

You may often run your weekend runs too fast or too slow.

Obviously it’s easier to practice “race pace” in a race.

5.You connect with other runners and make new friends..

When I first started running, I had no running friends so I would race on the weekends.

Now I do have friends to run with on the weekend but I always enjoy meeting new runners.

Happy Running! Do you ever use a race as a training run? Do you race often? Why or why not? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and the Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

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It’s

Here’s what I find UNLUCKY at a race:

1. Rain.

I guess I’m a fair weather runner.  But seriously. My favorite part of a race is before and after. Rain just puts a damper on that.

2. A Course short on water stops or runs out of water.

Obviously I never carry my own water so I depend on them especially when it is warm.

3. A Course that is Long.

Nobody wants to run extra distance and it messes up your race pace.

4. A Course that is not marked clearly or short on course marshals.

No excuse.

5. Injury or pain.

Injury is the worst but a cramp or a blister… UGH!!

huge blister after this wet one

Happy Running! What are some things you find unlucky at a race? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

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This week’s topic is: What are 5 Things That Are Essential to Your Fitness Routine (and 1 you skip):

Here are my Must Haves:

1. A Goal

IOW, my “WHY.”

It could be very simple such as fresh air, clear my head, de-stress, prepare for a race, build arm strength, socialize…

2. Food

I always eat breakfast before I work out or run.

oatmeal & coffee!!

And I always reward myself after.

3. Variety

I rarely run the same route two days in a row.

I’m limited at the gym to the machines I use but I do them in a different order.

4. Enjoyment

If it’s not fun, why do it?

Realistically, some parts of my routine are not fun but I just focus on what was good about it… and enjoy that.

finishing?

5. Matching Outfit

It may sound silly but I can’t just throw on whatever and go to the gym or for a run.

I plan my outfits and they must match!

What do I skip?

Warm ups and cool downs.

Yup, I get out of my car and go. I finish and get back in my car.

Hydration!

I rarely drink water…. (unless it is very HOT/humid) or in a race).

Happy Running! What are some essentials to your fitness routine and what do you skip? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

or 2026 NYC Marathon?

1. Enter the lottery. (Over 200,000 applied this year and only 2% got accepted.)
2. Run 9 NYRR races and volunteer at 1.
3. Raise money for a charity. (There about 500 official charities.)
4. Run an age qualifying time at a NYRR half or full marathon.
5. Enter the lottery for a non-NYRR age qualifying marathon.
6. Enter the lottery for the Virtual Marathon.
7. Purchase it through an official travel agency.

I’ve qualified every year since 2019 with a NYRR half marathon time.

And I’ve been lucky enough to complete the race in 2019, 2023 & 2024.

I had a guaranteed entry again for this year, as well.

And since I didn’t run any NYRR half marathons this year (I didn’t accept my guaranteed entries for Brooklyn & NYC), I won’t have the opportunity to run the NYCM next year and not likely in the future.

IOW, it wasn’t an easy decision but I’m sure I made the right one.

Here are 5 Reasons why I didn’t accept my Guaranteed Entry to the NYCM:

1.I’ve done it THREE times already.

I’d like to travel more and/or run some different races.

2.The training is so time-consuming.

And I still work full-time.  It’s stressful trying to fit in those weekend long long runs.

3.I want to preserve my “body” and be able to run many more years. 

I mean I AM over 70. Nothing hurts and I want to keep that way.

4. It’s expensive – hotel rooms, meals, transportation, etc.

As mentioned above, with that $$, I could travel.  And I don’t have those free hotel rooms anymore.

5. I’m looking forward to being a spectator (for the first time) and supporting my 3 friends who are running it.

They’ve cheered me on and now it’s my turn to return the favor.  It should be fun.

That being said, I think everyone should run this race at least once. It is an amazing experience.

I hope you all get the chance.

Happy Running! Have you already run this race? Do you want to run the NYC Marathon? Have you ever entered the lottery? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

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