This post was a tough one to write, but I had to, since I think that I have finally figured out why I haven’t run in many races for several years.
I was going to run in a 5K Independence Day race and decided not to run the day before. Also I was going to run in a 5K trail race on Memorial Day weekend and half-marathon a couple of weeks ago. I pulled out of them as well for various reasons or excuses.
Why?
I didn’t pull out of these races because I was injured, because I have run more consistently this year than I have in many, many years. So that isn’t the reason.
Cost – might be part of the reason, but not totally. Like they say if you really want to do something badly enough you will find a way. If I really wanted to run in races I would find a way to afford the entry fees.
I like challenge of racing and I enjoy the camaraderie of being around other runners. Yet I decided to not run in each one of those races and haven’t raced very often, since 1986.
This is one of those things that I have always wondered about – why I didn’t race more or seemed to find reasons not to run, instead of finding reasons to run in races.
Since I have started running more longer runs it has given me time to think and this is one of the things I have thought about a lot. Yesterday, on my 8.0 miler, I think that I have finally figured out the “why” and hopefully that is a step to the solving the problem.
The real reason
Is the ultra-competitive side of me that takes racing far too seriously.
Yeah I am one of those people who gets so worked up before a race, that I feel like puking, have to push myself to stay and not get in my car and drive off. This is much more than pre-race “jitters” and looking back, it is why I quit racing back in the 80’s and mostly just ran for personal pleasure for so many years. I didn’t want to deal with my pre-race “anxiety” that affects me.
In the three races I have run this year, I experienced the “need” to leave as soon as I finished registering. Even though I didn’t leave – I really, really wanted to get out of there and do almost anything but stick around for those races. I persevered and I was able to get to the start of the races and once the gun went off – I had a lot of fun, got to meet a lot of great people, but looking back, it was still damn hard to get to the starting line of each one of those races.
The reality is that
It is time to face my anxiety about running races, figure out some strategies to help me to register and then go to the race. If I can do this it will allow me to start enjoying a big part of the social side of running (which I believe that racing is a big part of), that I have missed out on for so many years.
Part of the Solution
I am going to run the Bond Brook Trail 5K Race series, which are a low-key, lower-cost series of races, which I plan to run all but one them over the course of the next couple of months. Then on 8/11, I am going run the Doc and Mardie Brown 5K in Waterville. After that I would like to run one road race per month through November.
Notice I say I am doing, not planning to do these races. There is a huge difference.
Sometimes you need know what the problem is, before you can move forward towards resolving it.
Hopefully, I have figured it out.
Does anyone else out there feel this way about racing? What did you do to overcome it?
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Aaron Smith
July 5, 2012 at 11:13 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I hope so too, in training you are rocking it man! If you need some further encouragment, let me know. I will be a huge pest!
Harold L. Shaw
July 5, 2012 at 11:16 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Smiddy, I knew I could count on you! I just have to pre-register and then not back-out before the race. Thanks
Lindsay (@LeanGrnBeanBlog)
July 6, 2012 at 8:49 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
good luck with training! you’ll rock these races!
Harold L. Shaw
July 6, 2012 at 10:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Lindsay – I will have fun with them
Carrie (@CarrieSinCA)
July 6, 2012 at 9:05 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m a firm believer in the first step to dealing with a problem is to acknowledge it. You’ve made a big step. Good luck, you can do it!
Harold L. Shaw
July 6, 2012 at 10:08 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That was the hardest part of all this and then once I figured it out the other day, it all made sense. Now that I have an idea of what is going on, I can face it head on and hopefully my plan to use the 5k trail racing series will help.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast
July 6, 2012 at 9:07 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am sure you’re not alone in this. I have the normal pre-race jitters, but never more than that. I’m so glad you’re able to pinpoint this, and have a plan to deal with it. Good luck!
Harold L. Shaw
July 6, 2012 at 10:06 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think that is why some fairly decent runners that I used to run with that stopped running felt somewhat the same way as I do. Now I just hope that my plan works and that I can start to race and enjoy the camaraderie of other runners more.
lgsmash
July 6, 2012 at 12:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Knowing the problem is half the battle, right?! It sounds like you have a good handle on the ‘why’ and a plan to figure out how to calm your nerves and anxiety. I think running ‘fun runs’ are a good idea! Like the mud runs – there is no way you can run something like that for time so you have no choice but to show up and have fun and be social.
Good Luck!!
Harold L. Shaw
July 6, 2012 at 9:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That is what I am learning – I had to figure out the why and think I have, now to just enjoy the races instead of stress out over them, easier said than done sometimes.
. But I will.
firwave
July 6, 2012 at 5:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Don & Mardie Brown were our neighbors when I was growing up in Palermo (they moved to Waterville later in life. Mardie would for for a run at midnight on New Years Eve. She was in her 60′s & maybe 70′s when she did this & she always encouraged me to start running. I’d do that 5K but have Ragged Mnt race day before.
Harold L. Shaw
July 6, 2012 at 9:47 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The Ragged Mtn race is going to be a tough one, your legs are going to be pretty beat up, too much so to do a 5K the next day. Good luck on Ragged and I will run the 5K for you
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