. . . more than racing
Just last week I wrote about why racing can be important, even if you never win an award (read that post here), even if you’re DFL. So this week I’m turning around and telling you why it’s also important to just run.
Today I am joining up with the Friday Five 2.0 from Fairytales & Fitness and Rachel @ Running on Happy to share some of the benefits of running that have nothing to do with racing.
It helps us avoid burn out
Has running begun to seem like a chore? Sometimes when we have big dreams and train hard for it, it keeps us motivated — and it also has a way of making us forget just how enjoyable running can really be.
It gets us out in nature
When we’re focused on training, often we’re running workouts that may be harder or longer. We can’t run two hard workouts back to back (or you shouldn’t). It can easily increase the likelihood that the only way we’ll be able to get that running in is on the treadmill. And sometimes the treadmill just saves time.
Yet one of the greatest benefits of running is getting us out of our house and into nature. There’s something very healing and soothing about being outside. And it’s easier to squeeze in even a shorter run outside if we’re not worried about completing our workout.
It’s easier to listen to our bodies
Racing sometimes pressures us to feel we must do all the workouts on our training plan to have a good race. I know not all runners feel that way, but many runners tend to be type A personalities and have to dot their i’s and cross their t’s.
If you’re running for fun, and you feel a niggle, it’s much easier to take a day, several, or even a week off until you feel ready to run again. When you’re training, you often don’t want to lose your fitness and you have a tendency to push yourself when you shouldn’t . . . like right into an injury.
It’s easier to socialize
You’ve probably seen the meme about runners and going to bed early because they have a long run the next day. Okay, so personally, whether or not I have a long run scheduled, I’m an early to bed, early to rise kind of gal.
It’s still easier to socialize more when you don’t have to worry about getting up super early to squeeze a run in.
It’s easier to be more daring
Who hasn’t been afraid to run a trail, or a certain distance, or in certain weather, or really push themselves on the run — or heck, even to take a jump photo — for fear that it will interfere with their race?
So let me know in the comments:
Why do you think sometimes it’s good to stop focusing on racing?
If you could never race again, would you still run?
What would you try if you weren’t worried about injuries?
I don’t plan on ever racing again and I still run.
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😊
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I always look forward to the time after a race, when I get to just run. And yes, I’d run if I couldn’t race anymore. I did that when the boys were little–I didn’t race at all for about 10 years. After all, I started running for reasons other than races.
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Yes, I would definitely run if I couldn’t race. I was not the least interested in racing when I started running, after all.
There is definitely something about just running for fun — but those goals also keep me motivated. 🙂
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Racing always puts a lot of pressure on us and sometimes people ignore their good sense or injury to do a training run. On the other hand, I like having something to train for that keeps me motivated. Dilemmas!
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I agree with this 100%! So true.
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This is interesting! I often wondered why so many people would run but never enter a race! ( I get it now).
For me, running is hard so I need that incentive at the end. I need to know I am working towards something. Even if I didn’t have a race, i’d have to set some kind of goal for myself.
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I do actually enjoy running for running’s sake. I’m with you, though, in the motivating goals.
But sometimes it’s just so nice to run without an agenda. Sometimes I enjoy it more. And it’s been a really long time since I have!
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I am not motivated by races, but have done more than usual this year. I am ready for a break after Lawyers Have Heart next weekend!
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Could’ve fooled me — you do race a lot! I’m ready for a small break myself.
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I don’t race very often anymore (the prices!!!! 😳). Mostly I just run because I love it.
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Oh yeah, it does add up quickly.
I know quite a few runners who never or almost never race. I don’t really race all that often.
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I’ve found that runner is definitely an easier way for me to socialize with others. Whenever I talk with runners, we always have something to chat about!
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And their eyes don’t glaze over. 🙂
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I am proof that you can race and not get stressed out about getting all your runs in, worrying about your paces and doing those awful long runs.
That only happens when you are not obsessed about PRs. And yes, I like to run well but if I don’t, there’s always another race to try again.
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YOU can run that way. Not every one can. Every one — every BODY — is different.
Most of the time I don’t consider long runs awful. Otherwise why would I do them? Of course occasionally you have a miserable one.
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I don’t mean awful as in a bad run. I mean it cuts into your weekend.
You do them because they’re on your plan.
And you don’t know if you can until you try.
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Oh no, I do know. My worst race was the one were I stopped running. It was painful. Like I said, every BODY is different.
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I wouldn’t stop running. I mean forget the pace. Leave the watch home. Just run and have fun.
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I stopped focusing on speed and just enjoy myself out there. When I’m not obsessed with something small not going my way, I have a much better time, and more fun.
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I enjoy challenging myself — but most of the time, I still have fun, too!
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I agree with all of these and I’m actually kind of looking forward to some non training running!
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AS much as I enjoy “doing races,” I do not consider myself a racer. I truly just enjoy running and do not need the constant PR’s or accolades to validate that. Maybe it’s because I’m more of an artsy-fartsy type and not a Type-A gal ? I like having a training plan, but also sometimes resent having everything planned out for me LOL
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I’m definitely creative, but in some areas of my life I’m also very type a. I enjoy racing–not as much as some, more than others.
I also enjoy an off season; been a long time since I’ve had one!
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I enjoy that time after a race when I’m just running “for pleasure”… not trying to hit any paces and just running as many miles as I want.
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Me too! I’ve been racing more than normal for me this year-although less shorter races.
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A lot of truth in what you say there Judy!😊
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