Run to Win

Photo by Joe ShlabotnikSome people find it intimidating to register for a road race, especially if it is their first one. There really is no need to be nervous. I recommend registering for a road race as soon as you think that you could possibly finish it (or even earlier!), especially if you are just starting a new workout program and have not been keeping in the best shape for the last few years.

Here are 5 reasons to register now:

1

Setting a goal 5k, and actually registering for it as soon as you can, is a great way to motivate yourself. It will keep you out there meeting your real goals regarding your health while giving you something tangible to work towards.

2

You will not want to waste your registration fee, after all, so you are more likely to see the race through than if you decide on a race but wait until race day to actually register.
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This advice does not apply to when you are injured or need a rest day due to over training. It does, however, apply to when you just feel lazy or you expect that nothing good can happen on any particular day. The advice I want to give you this evening is to always remember that your best runs will come in one of two situations: when you are at the top of your game and in the peak of your fitness, or when you least expect it to come.

When you are at the top of your game and at the peak of your fitness (whether that is a 10 or 15 minute mile pace or that is a 4 minute mile pace) you can sometimes have some break out runs that really get you going and make you feel good. In fact, the less fit you are and the less experience that you have, the more often you are going to have a run like this as you are getting into shape.

More often, however, those sorts of runs are going to happen on a random day when you are least expecting it. You might have had a stressful day at work and you are just able to completely unwind. Or perhaps you wake up in the morning and are running into the sunrise. Or you are in a horrific car accident and are really sore, but decide to run anyway and it really loosens you up.

The idea is that you really do not know when these types of runs are going to come, so you should try to avoid finding excuses to skip planned workouts. You may be tired, you may not feel well, but once you are out the door you start with a clean slate. You do your warm up and if you still are too tired or too sore or lethargic, then perhaps you change the workout then. But first, you give your legs a chance to express themselves. You just might surprise yourself.
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Jank pointed out an article about goals and losing focus after meeting those goals.
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