racing

I have loved running ever since I was about ten years old and won an age group race around Thanksgiving time.  I won a turkey!  I don't recall how it tasted, but I do recall the thrill of winning the race.  I had discovered something I was pretty good at, and that I liked doing.

I went on to run competitively for a few years in high school and college.  I didn't win too many races the older I got, but I still enjoyed the thrill of going fast.  We were talking about this last weekend on our long run in Barrington.  My running partners and I each were recalling the moment we realized that as fast as we could run, there would always be someone faster.  That's about the time we start to realize that we run, not just to win races, but because we enjoy running.

I have many friends from high school and college track and cross country who no longer run.  They got burned out, and it's a real shame.  As for me, I can't imagine not running.  It's been many, many years since I ran competitively.  The competition now is aimed at reaching my own goals.  For instance, my most recent goal was to qualify for the Boston marathon.  Back in the day, the goal would have been to run a much faster time.  These days though, I was thrilled just to make it.

If you are familiar with the writings of John "The Penguin" Bingham, you know he's a strong advocate for the so-called 'back of the pack' runners.  He is a friend, and I believe he writes quite eloquently about the joy of running for it's own sake, no matter your speed.  In fact, I'm reminded of that when I recall the Paris marathon a few years ago.  John Bingham happened to be there as part of the group we travelled with.  My wife and I ran.  I had a poor race, probably my worst marathon.  I got dissapointed about eight or nine miles into it.  I was really off pace and wasn't feeling well.  The rest of the run was a slow slog through Paris with my head down.  My wife meantime, was running her first marathon.  She and her girlfriends brought cameras, took pictures along the way, and took in all the beautiful Paris course had to offer.

Afterward, I was dissapointed in my own race, but thrilled by her stories and her success in finishing the 26 miles.  She genuinely enjoyed the experience, and really couldn't have cared less about what place she finished, or what time she ran.  In retrospect, her plan was much better than mine.  She has great memories of Paris, and I have great memories of her running in Paris!

I think that's part of the joy of running.  The several neighbors I have who ran their first marathons at Chicago this year also enjoyed it tremendously. They were not particularly fast, but that was fine with them, as it should be.

Racing is about the event for most of us.  It's the company of hundreds, or thousands of other runners on the course.  The spectators and volunteers add to the experience.  Testing ourselves against our expectations can can be a nice element as well, but it's not essential. 

Races are fun, and a good was to bring variety and excitement to our running.  I enjoy races at least once a month or so.  Some are fast, and some not so fast.  Most of the time, I'm not sure it really matters to anyone but me.  In any case, I plan to enjoy a Turkey Trot again this year, and I'm sure I'll be reminded, once again, of how much I love running.  I don't expect to win a turkey this year though.

See you out there.