This probably shows just how Type A I really am, but one thing that helps me when I’m in need of motivation is to work on a race schedule. Races help me to stay motivated. Why?
- It’s a carrot to help get me out the door. I get out and train, so I can have a better race!
- The atmosphere at a race oozes camaraderie and fun! It’s inspiring to be around others who are there to do their best.
- Completing a race is motivating by itself – it gives you the sense of satisfaction and urge to do even better next time.
- You get to “brag” for at least 24 hours. My rule is you get to wear your shirt for at least the rest of the day, which means you get to tell others what you accomplished.
So, now that we are relatively settled here in Denver, it’s time to leverage this motivational outlet and create a schedule to help me push through the tough workouts.
So what’s my plan? A little fun, a milestone, a marathon, and then two more fun races to wrap up the year. Now let’s look at the specifics:
- September 1 – Dirty Dash
- September 22 – Denver Half Marathon
- October 28 – Marine Corps Marathon
- November 22 – Turkey Day 5K; I love our Thanksgiving Day race tradition!
- December 15 – Rudolph’s Revenge 5k/10K
Between the marathon & thanksgiving race will be our yearly training break. When we start training again in December, it will be the preliminary work for Ironman Cairns. Wow, that’s crazy to think about!
I have thoughts about potential races for 2013, but I’m not quite ready to share those yet. =)
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Questions for you:
- How about you? Do you find races motivating?
- Are you type A like me?
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
As for being a Type A….well that is selective. I am in some areas and totally not in others.
I just read the book Eat and Run by Scott Jurek. Now I am not nor will I ever be an ultrarunner….let’s just get that clear. However after reading his story it helped me focus on the race I did last Saturday. I kept saying to myself, if Scott can run X miles I can do this. So between thinking about the book and being with other people and the sound of the gun
going off it its totally motivating.
In two weeks I will be doing my first Sprint Tri….I am using the Tri as
a celebration of my 60th birthday, all the hard work I have done in the
last year and half to lose 87 lbs and to do it with my friends from our little
gym. Our little corp group went to Tough Mudder together. As much as I wanted to do it I could not (bad knee) but went as support for the team.
So I find just being around people who want to have fun and be healthy is not only powerful but totally motivating.
Like you I have my Turkey run all planned…last year was sooo much fun.
Thanks for a great blog.
I haven’t read Eat & Run yet, but I’ve heard it’s a great read. I remember saying I would never do an ultra (or an ironman), so I gave up the “never” word. You never know. :)
So excited you’re doing your first tri in a few weeks – what an amazing accomplishment at 60 INCLUDING your weighloss. That’s so inspiring to me! Thanks for reading!!
I need to sign up for some races, it also helps me get into a new place I move to!
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..You Thought I was Done
Yes – and a great way to meet people, right?
I pretty much need to be training for a race to get my butt in gear. Otherwise I make way too many excuses and take the easy way out. I honestly feel sort of lost when it comes to running when I am not preparing for something.
As for Type A or B, I’m kind of a mixture. Type A – maybe or B+. :)
Lee recently posted..Bootcamp Goals
You and me both sister! I’ve been struggling to overcome that this year with some mild success, but it’s hard! You must be like Kirk, a little of both.
I’m so NOT type A, but I do love races and surprisingly don’t have any to look foward to! We’ve been trying to budget our money better, so unfortunately just-for-fun races have taken a backseat, though luckily my running hasn’t! RWRunStreak lives on!!!!!!!!! haha
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Monkey Mat
Races do cost a chunk of change! We actually changed our approach a few years ago and our race fees come from our own discretionary money (we have a small amount that goes into our fake individual accounts for stuff like this each month).
You are AWESOME with your run streak – how many days are you on?
The motivation is one of hte things I miss most about being able to run. Although a figure competition is pretty damn motivating too.
Its going to be really hard to not do a Thanksgiving run this year. Maybe I can do a 5K…
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..150 Calorie Chocolate Protein Cake
I think the figure competition would freak me out plenty – I am still uncomfortable in bikinis! I hope you can do a 5k, but you have so many other fun things to help motivate you, even if you can’t.
Yup – I find races to be incredibly motivating. It’s not like torture though to “make” myself go run. The runs become more fun and engaging for me. I hope to get back into running soon so that I can pick a race. A 10k in Sept would be cool, but I think I should stick with 5ks for now.
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Happy Birthday Kevin!
I didn’t mean it to sound like torture, but sometimes the lazy in me fights for attention. :)
I am a type A person – very much so – and I love to race as I have something to set my sights on….too bad Alaska doesn’t have one each day of the weekend like we had in the south!
But I bet you have beautiful scenery to inspire you, right? I haven’t been to Alaska, but I’d love to go there!
Type A+++++++ here.
I love racing. Since I’ve had some devastating injuries the last several years, I decided to try to curtail my racing in 2012 and be more selective. It’s been really difficult to pass up some of the races I love to do or to take on a new challenge, but it’s part of a new me to see if I can get through a calendar year without a stress fracture. So far, so good. :)
That said, I think I’m going to do a sprint tri at the end of this month, then in September I’m doing the Reach the Beach relay in New Hampshire, then a half-marathon in October. Yesterday I registered for a 20K trail race in November. But I’m being much smarter about my training now.
Beth recently posted..Tri for Micah 2.0 complete!
Better safe than sorry, you need to find the balance of training that keeps you injury free for sure. So exciting to hear you might try a sprint triathlon – you’ll love it!! And a 20K trail race sounds awesome! I’m excited for you. :)
Races are definitely motivating! Now that I have the bug, it’s time to start signing up!!
Kim @ Wonderings recently posted..GoodBelly Giveaway winner!
Yay!!! I’m so glad you’re liking it. :)
I remember that tutu! And I remember you looking super awesome in it!
We should all get tutus and do a race together – think about how amazing that would look. I think it would be a great tradition at Blend…just saying… ;)
YAY for scheduled races!! I definitely agree that planning the races and training, all that, is very motivating- especially once registered!!!
Good luck! Excited to read about some more training and races. Hope CO is treating you well.
Christie recently posted..Getting through tough times & workouts
We’re loving it so far – such a beautiful place. I had 2 good runs this weekend, so things are looking up! Hope you are doing well!! =)
I have never run a race, but when I was talking to my friend yesterday, telling her I was running upwards of 6 miles lately, she asked if I was training for a half marathon.
I’m not…but maybe I am, accidentally?
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Golden Tomato + Mango Gazpacho
Oh yay – Ms. Smart and the Half Marathon, that’s a story in the making for sure!!
Wow, that’s a lot of races! It sounds like you really enjoy it, though :)
Miranda @ Biting Life recently posted..Summer Berry Green Protein Smoothie & WIAW
I love one a month, helps the memory not get too far away at any time. That first one is already in jeopardy actually, because we’re finally planning a vacation. That’s a good excuse, don’t you think? ;)
Yes, that sounds great! Did you already pay for it, though?
Miranda @ Biting Life recently posted..Dark Chocolate-Covered Frozen Bananas
Oh races are very motivating. I love them from when you first sign up to the high you get after it’s completed!
Jessie recently posted..Being sick is no fun…
Yes – exactly!!
What a great line up of races! And it might be a bit “type A,” but I think it’s normal for many people to “need” something external to motivate them. You know I’ve never been super motivated by races as far as training goes (the few I’ve done in my adult years sure are fun tough!); I seem to like getting out the door for the sake of it. I don’t think it makes me faster or stronger though – sometimes I wonder what a race and an actual training plan would do for me, you know? At any rate, thanks for sharing your plan! Keep moving forward and enjoying those milestones!
You know I’m jealous of your intrinsic motivation – it’s awesome! I’d love to see what a training plan/race would do for you too – let me know if you ever decide to try. I know someone who’d love to help you! ;)
Ahh.. I totally want to get to Denver to run the marathon next month. I’m on a mission. Would love to meet you if I make it there!!! :) Looks like you’ve got a good schedule ahead!
STUFT Mama recently posted..When Life Hands You Lemons
Really?! Yes!! How can I help make that happen? I have a place for you to stay if you can work it out – it would be awesome to meet up with you. :)