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14 Replies Last post: Mar 17, 2006 10:43 PM by Canuck Kid  
Click to view SportiGrl's profile Legend 476 posts since
Jul 22, 2004
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Mar 10, 2006 11:00 PM

Do you do races?

If so ....


what distances?


What is your favorite distance?


How often do you race?


Why do you race? Trying to place/win ... going for a PR that's 'on the record' ... like running with other like-minded individuals occassionally...


Do you travel far or pay much for entry fees? what are your limits on that stuff? (if any)

thanks!
Click to view VioletVinko's profile Amateur 12 posts since
Mar 2, 2006
1. Mar 11, 2006 6:02 AM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
Yes, I race.

I like 5Ks, 10M, and Halfs. I dislike 5Ms, 10Ks, and fulls.

I race 8-12 times a year.

I race to gauge my progress, to stir my competitive juices, to socialize, to see new places, but mainly as a motivator to keep running.

My personal rule of thumb is to never travel farther for a race than it will take to run it. For example, I wont drive more than 20 min for a 5k, more than an hour and a half for a half-marathon, etc. Of course, the rule kind of goes out the window for marathons or other "destination" races.

Cost (including gas) is a consideration. Me paying $116 to enter the NYCM is not going to happen. Love those $12 local 5Ks.
Click to view SLOjim's profile Legend 369 posts since
Nov 17, 2007
2. Mar 11, 2006 7:54 AM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I race mostly 5Ks to half marathons with a marathon every year or two. Last year my favorite distance was the half, this year I'm working to drop my 5K and 10K times....least favorite is the marathon.

I race about 25 times a year..... mainly for PRs, but now that I'm older I can oftern place in AG in smaller races. I have also run races to pace friends or just to be a part of a large race.

I've travelled as far away as 1200 miles just for a race and have spent probably over $100 for a few entry fees. High entry fees don't bother me but I'll only travel overnight if DW really wants to go (not often).

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Jim[/URL" target="_blank">

Get involved....
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Click to view crunningman's profile Community Moderator 950 posts since
Jun 7, 2002
3. Mar 11, 2006 10:48 AM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I dabble in shorter races (5k, 10k, 15k, 1/2) each year, but don't focus on those distances. Pretty much just go as hard as I can.

The marathon is my race of choice. Whether I run a sub3 or 3:30 I still enjoy the experience knowing I've completed it.

I've raced a 50K(2004) and 50Miler(2005). This year I hope to complete another 50Miler and my first 70Miler & 100 Miler.
Click to view AmericanIdiot's profile Pro 86 posts since
Dec 24, 2005
4. Mar 11, 2006 11:04 AM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I usually try and race once a month probably more in the summer. I just did my first 10 miler which went fine.I placed in the middle of the pack for my age group. I think I prefer the shorter races to longer ones because I feel I have the potential to be more competitive there. I do plan on running a half sometime in the near future but no plans on a full at this time. For the most part I race for a PR and just like doing it for the fun of it. I have yet to travel more than about a half hour for a race.
Click to view runnerparris's profile Legend 365 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Mar 11, 2006 12:39 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I do about 10 or so a year. 5k, 10k, 4m, 1/2 and have done one marathon so far. I have on several occasions done the 5 & 10k's back to back if they are spaced for enough apart to switch chips, bibs or whatever.

I find that if I dedicate myself to a race it gives me a goal to work towards and keeps me from slacking off. I think I like 5k's best. I race for P/R's mostly, but can place in age group in smaller local events even though my times aren't that great.

I would like to do more destination races...Maui would be nice. have traveled up to several hours away and just made a little weekend trip out of it. It's nice for my non-running spouse as well.

Many of the entry fees are a little steep in this area. I want to do the Disneyland half, and am kind of struggling with the high $85 fee.

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Click to view SLOjim's profile Legend 369 posts since
Nov 17, 2007
6. Mar 11, 2006 1:25 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
(highjack)

quote:<HR>Originally posted by runnerparris:
[b]Many of the entry fees are a little steep in this area. I want to do the Disneyland half, and am kind of struggling with the high $85 fee.

[/b]<HR>


I signed up for the Disney half and just got an e-mail last week saying they're 70% full....... you might need to make a decision soon!

Jim
Click to view runnerparris's profile Legend 365 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
7. Mar 11, 2006 1:43 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
quote:<HR>Originally posted by SLOjim:
(highjack)

I signed up for the Disney half and just got an e-mail last week saying they're 70% full....... you might need to make a decision soon!

Jim

<HR>


Thanks! I noticed they were at half capacity several weeks ago, however they did fail to say anywhere in their website what the actual cap is. I was somewhat curious. At any rate, I'm going to make up my mind this week.
Click to view mr.bill's profile Legend 339 posts since
Jul 11, 2007
8. Mar 11, 2006 3:22 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I love to race!
5K-8K-5m-10K-10m-Half-Full

My favorite distance to race is 10 mile or Half Marathon.
I run a lot of 5K's during the season as there are so many with good causes locally.

I love racing against the clock and improving my times, it is such a great feeling of accomplishment, not to mention great for the body!

ne More Mile[/URL" target="_blank">

mrbill[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view Serious Runner's profile Expert 57 posts since
Feb 15, 2001
9. Dec 21, 2007 2:48 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I used to race 30-35 times/year, but I now race maybe 2-4 times/year.

There are two reasons. The first is that I'm just not motivated to race anymore. I enjoy training and going to the track, but I just don't get motivated to run races when I'm running a minute/mile slower than I used to. Maybe if I lost 20 pounds and got faster, I might care.

I also get up at 5 a.m. during the week to go work out. On Saturday, I'd rather spend some quality time in bed with my wife.

The second reason is the cost. 5Ks are now $20. It's hard to justify spending that type of money when I can go to the track and test myself for free. Several of my more recent races involved situations where the course wasn't accurate, and the RDs didn't seem to care.

All that being said, I still enjoy going out and running for 60-90 minutes and doing a session or two on the track each week. That feeling will never leave me. Maybe I'll move up to longer races where the distance might justify the fees in some cases.

http://This message has been edited by Serious Runner (edited Mar-14-2006).
Click to view Viich's profile Legend 326 posts since
May 27, 2004
10. Mar 14, 2006 11:32 AM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I love to race.


  • 1500m, 3000m, 5K, 8K/5mi, 10K, ½ marathon.....
  • Favorite distance..... hmm... changes all the time.... right now, 1500 - 5K
  • I probably race 10-20 times/ year.
  • I race for many reasons, I find I can't push myself as far in a solo workout as I can in competition, I love the local 'racing scene', etc, etc...
  • Race fees are a bit of an issue for me, but not too much. I've never travelled more than 200km to get to a race.

Click to view Better than yesterday's profile Legend 786 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
12. Dec 21, 2007 2:48 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
I've run in 2 milers, 5k's, 3.5 milers, 4 milers, one 10k, and am training for my first 15k and my first 1.2 marathon this spring.

My favorite distance so far is 10k. I think that was because I had low expectations going into it, and far outperformed my wildest dreams.

Let's see - I have 5 races on the calendar for this spring, and will have 4 for the fall. The spring races are about 2 to 3 weeks apart, typically, and the fall races are just about 1 month apart.

I race because I find that my training is much better if I have races to train for, rather than just trying to go at it day in day out with no performance goals.

I only travel out of town for one race - 138 miles one way - but that's because it's in my wife's home town, and I get to run in it with a friend of mine from childhood, and my wife and her sister run together as well.

I try to abstain from any races where the entry fee exceeds $15. But a lot depends on what the entry fee is for. I like to run in races that are fund raisers for causes that "I believe in", so $30 to $50 (for DW and me combined) is not too much to donate to a worthy cause several times per year. If the entry fee is just to sustain the race...$5.00 is the most I'll pay.

http://This message has been edited by Better than yesterday (edited Mar-17-2006).
Click to view DetroitT's profile Amateur 22 posts since
Jan 8, 2006
13. Mar 17, 2006 3:15 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
The only reason I run is for the races. I usually do between 5-7 a year. Since I race 10K, 10M, 25K, Marathon, etc. Every couple of years I do a team relay. Races help me to satisfy my competitive nature. If it was not for races I most likely would not run. As for entry fees, I really dont pay too much attention to them. Not that I am loaded or anything, but if its a race I really want to do, I usually dont let that stop me from entering. However, I wouldn't pay $80+ for a 5K, but would for a marathon. For the most part the fees I see seem reasonable.

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Click to view Canuck Kid's profile Expert 58 posts since
Jul 9, 2005
14. Mar 17, 2006 10:43 PM in response to: SportiGrl
Re: Do you do races?
As much as I love training (well, usually), I don't think I could stay excited about it if I wasn't building up for something. I love having a measured, timed course where I can run my hardest, try to beat previous times, and be part of a larger community (since usually I run on my own.) Also, in the case of the marathon, I don't think any other running accomplishment can compare to the feel of finishing that sucker. (1 so far, working on #2.)

I've done 5k, 8k, 10k, and a marathon--strangely, never a half. Like I said, the thrill of the marathon was incomparable. Other than that, the 10k is fun--not so long that you really have to suffer, but you've certainly had a good run at the end of it. I do like 5s and 8s too, but I'm maybe not quite as crazy about the 5k because since I'm now able to do it pretty fast, I feel that I should practically sprint the course. I was very pleased with the result of my last 5k (21:04 chip time), but boy were my legs burning during it!

In high school I did at least eight races a year, did just one a couple years later, then last year I was marathon training and did a 5k, 8k, and 10k in preparation (and as interim goals, to keep me motivated over a long season.) I've only travelled out of town for the marathon, and for one or two races in high school.