Why do I race?

Somebody (my good friend Monica) recently asked me this question and it got me thinking.

Actually, the question should be why do I enter races and run round the course with lots of other people until somebody gives me a medal. I'm not sure there is actually much racing involved, at least not for me.

As I was running in the Worthing 10k yesterday, I had a lot of time to ponder the reasons why I had got up ridiculously early on a Sunday morning to put myself through a level of discomfort for slightly over an hour. I have long appreciated the benefit of having something to think about whilst running, as it distracts me from the actual running, so this was as good a train of thought as any.

So what were the reasons?

1. Because I can.

I am constantly grateful that I can run. I may not be fast but I can do it and there are many people that can't. I don't know how long I will be able to run so I want to make the most of being able to do it now.

2. Because I enjoy being part of something.

Waiting to start the race, I looked around at the crowd of happy and excited runners ready to go. I overheard their conversations and identified with many of the things that were said - a combination of nerves and just wanting to get going, discussions about training - what went well and what didn't, comments that it was going to be a hot one! We all had something in common and that felt great.

3. Because you get a shiny medal.

Somehow the novelty of a medal has still not worn off. Even though I now have so many that I am starting to worry about the structural integrity of my walls!

4. Because it makes me better.

This is the big one.

Yesterday I knocked five minutes off my time from the same race last October, and that felt fantastic! I know that I could not have run at that pace on my own, I need the buzz and pressure of a race to make myself keep pushing when I want to slow down. Yesterday was helped by there being pacers, I spent most of the race hoping the 65 minute pacers didn't catch me, and when they did I was so near the end that it felt ok.

So I said above that I don't race but that's not true, I race myself. I race my previous times. I am at an age where I could accept a gradual decline but I am not ready. I can and will still improve. My PBs are not all in the past, there are more to be had. They will take work. But that's ok, because I love a challenge and a goal!

After the Surrey Half, I said I wanted a sub 30 minute parkrun. I still do, I am edging towards it but I still need to knock over a minute off my time.

Next I want a sub 60 minute 10k. And I really want it this year.

Guess I'd better get to work!