Race Day!

Race day for me will be in early October, but it's something that motivates me throughout my training. There's something truly amazing about running in a race with 10,000+ other runners. In what other sport can you do that, participate in the same race, on the same course, at the same start and finish lines, with some of the most elite athletes in the world? Cycling? Swimming? Basketball? MMA? Uh, no. But in running, you have that and more.

In the beginning of the race, you're so pumped up, so excited with everyone's collective energy. In the middle of the race, you see all the fans lined up cheering you on, the workers at the water and aid stations helping you, and if you're lucky, you'll have family and friends somewhere along the way holding up signs and yelling for you. And at the end, you see the finish line, the culmination of weeks of training, and crossing it gives you a sense of accomplishment you've never felt before. It's truly amazing. Of course, there's pain, there's hardcore breathing, there's pushing yourself to the max. But, there's also relaxation, ease because of your training, peace and running free. You'll feel both during the race, hopefully more of the good than the bad, but don't worry, we all have our good days and otherwise.

You'll finish, most likely, somewhere in the middle. And that's great! Heck, even if you were the last person to cross that finish line, it's still great. For you, for your individual goals and aspirations, completing your training, crossing that finish, despite your time ... is all that matters. It's enough that you just finished, no need to beat yourself up for finishing 1 minute or 10 minutes lower than last year, it's no big deal. You didn't train all that time to be hard on yourself. On the contrary, pat yourself on the back, be happy and proud. Enjoy the moment, and the privilege of running. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to train and run a race, so bask in your accomplishment and cherish it.

I highly recommend you train for and participate in a race at least once. Try a 5K, which is just 3.1 miles. You can run, run and walk, jog, jog and walk, or just walk. It doesn't matter. Just enjoy the event, no matter how big or small the race. You can train for 4-8 weeks for a 5K, never having run before. Plan it carefully, take it easy, be consistent, and shoot for your goal. Get the experience of running a race with many people, it'll give you the energy and motivation to continue to exercise.

Finally, don't worry about getting passed up. Like I've said before, I've been passed by whatever and whoever you could imagine. Little kids, old men and women, young men and women, parents pushing their kids in jogger strollers, parents carrying their kids in their arms or on their shoulders, couples dressed in costumes, you name it. I just laugh. I'm not a fast runner, and I don't pretend to be. If you pass me, then great for you! I won't be too far behind, and we can share some laughs after the finish. In the end, we all finish, we all win.