Last week I shared my #1 Race Pet Peeve here, but since I don’t like to be a Debbie Downer too often, this week I’m sharing what I’m most looking forward to when I can race again.
Have any guesses?
The Benefits of Racing
There are so many great things about racing:
- Exploring a new location
- Challenging yourself
- That feeling of accomplishment at the end of the race
You can read more about reasons to race here.
The thing I’m most looking forward to?
The Atmosphere!
The atmosphere at the start of a race — during the race, and the finish line — if you’ve never been, the energy is just amazing.
The energy of race day is why I’m not personally a fan of virtual races — there’s just no way to feel that excitement, that encouragement, that feeling that we’re all connected — in a virtual race.
The energy of race day is what got me hooked on racing in the first place. Maybe not the first time I raced, and probably not the second time either, but boy it hooked me from that first half marathon!
What are you most looking forward to about racing again?
Do you think your first real race will be local or a destination race?
Already have a race picked out?
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Exactly! The vibe, the buzz, the energy of the race is what I LOVE!
Especially when tons of friends are involved.
I really miss that. Last month we would have done a relay race with 16 people, 4 teams with 4 runners each running the marathon. We would have all met up after the race for post-run food.
Ah, well, races will be back someday!
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Yes! This is why virtual races just can’t compare. There’s no vibe. No crowd. And no finish line. I’m sure races will be back but it will be very different from what we are used to.
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I’m sure races will be back, probably even some this year, but I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable with it this year.
I think it’s going to be difficult to come up with a way to keep everyone safe. Good thing I was already used to carrying my own water. 🙂
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You do not virtuals for the atmosphere. There’s a lot more benefits.
Of course I prefer the real ones. Actually I already wrote my post about what I miss for Friday.
I have a lot of races picked out and even paid for.
I doubt they will happen. But as soon as I can race one, I will. It will be interesting to see how all the precautions can be organized.
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I very much doubt I’ll be racing a race this year, but who knows?
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I need that atmosphere. Fingers crossed for October.
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Yes!!! The whole atmosphere of a race is what I miss. I did a few virtual races but I couldn’t get into race mode. I love small local races with a lot of my friends there. I think maybe some of the smaller races might happen this summer or fall. I have lost hope for the Oregon race. Maybe next year!
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Mt Hood was cancelled, Laurie. You have your choice of donating it, deferring it (for 2 years!), or deferring to a different race. I think that’s what it was. I haven’t actually done anything about it yet.
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I saw on the website it was canceled but I didn’t get an email about it. Did you get an email, Judy?
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Yes, I did, a while ago. I need to look at it; I don’t know when the date to do something is. Could’ve passed already!
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If you think of it, Judy, could you forward the email to me? I contacted Revel but never heard back from them. I would like to defer but on their website it says May 13 was the last date. I never got the chance.
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Oh s#$t.
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Totally agree! There are so many great reasons to race. I enjoy exploring new cities so that’s why I try to race in a few different states a year, but not this year obviously!
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I also enjoy exploring new places via a race. That’s why I’ve been taking my time with the states. I have suspicion I’ll never get to all 50, but as long as I’m able & it’s safe to do so, I plan to keep adding states.
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Yes, the race day excitement is tough to top! I have heard of some virtuals where the “racers” text each other at the “start line” (and then again at the “finish”). Obviously not the same as a true race course, but we gotta do what we can until the real stuff returns.
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Runners are creative. 🙂
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I did my first virtual race last week and I probably won’t do another. Why pay to run alone when I can run alone for free. I want the whole race experience.
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The only reason I will do a virtual race is to support the race in the hopes that they will be back someday.
Many of course donate to charity, but there’s always the question about how much really gets to the charity — and I can donate to charity without running a race.
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Compared to many other runners I really dont race very often. But I like it as a way to really gauge my fitness. I’ve realized that I get pretty anxious at real races and I think that might be why I’ve done well with the virtual ones. Im hoping these will serve as practice so I will be more confident when I get to a real start line again.
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Ah destination races with friends are the best! We sure took those opportunities for granted. Dreaming of the days when we can get back there. Thanks for linking up
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I love race day atmosphere. The energy is contagious and gets me revved up to run!
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I hear you. That’s why I’m not interested in virtual racing. It’s just not the same without the atmosphere and the excitement.
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Oh gosh, I miss the sense of community and atmosphere as well. I, as much as I hate to admit it, miss people in general. It will be good to get back.
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I am most looking forward to that feeling of accomplishment after completing a race. And the finish line too! I would like my next real race to be local but it all depends on what races happen again.
Thank you for linking up with us!
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