I have taken to describing official marathons, half marathons etc. as "events".
It is for want of a better word really. I don't think it is appropriate for us to think of them as "races", I believe that most of us on this forum are only "racing" against ourselves at most, if we're chasing a personal best. But I want to distinguish between running the distances in training and in an official race, because there is a difference.
I learned a hard lesson earlier this year. I had signed up for two marathons and an ultramarathon that were all happening within two months of each other. And then I developed a problem with my calf and couldn't do very much training for any of them. I got very stressed out!!
So now I have decided that I will only sign up for an "event" at the very last minute*, so I know I can get the most out of it. In the meantime I'll be flying solo and having fun
The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that I am entered in the Beachy Head Marathon again this year - I booked that a long time ago, seduced as I was by the "early bird" price. But since I did pay that cheaper price I am not so worried if I have to miss it. If I'm fit, and if the weather's not too bad, I'll be there with bells on. Or possibly with sagging capris on, as in that photo of me finishing Beachy in 2016 🤤
So in the latest poll - THE BIG HALF MARATHON POLL! go here: healthunlocked.com/marathon... - I said I would sign up for at least one half marathon a year, but you can bet it'll only be if I can get a last minute place!!
Have a great week of running, folks.
Abix
*EDIT: except in certain cases such as the London Marathon, of course
Written by
roseabi
Ultramarathon
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I am so with you there. Having done a fair few halfs and 3 marathons, I realised I didnt actually enjoy the whole faffery much at all!! However I do love to run in new places and explore so for me its one a year at the most now, and likely to be a trail with a small number of people, or my own event which I have been loosely planning
I would like to do one fm just to exorcise all the old Gremlins that not only stopped me from running most of my life but who also had me convinced years ago I had reached the full extent of my limitations or would fail miserably if I tried new ones- in every other area of life.
My promise to myself is that if I even get to where I think I have a legitimate shot at entering a fm and do so - whatever the result, I will face my deepest fear then by signing up for dancing lessons.
Yep - I've been beaten to the ground, stabbed, bruised, broken, shot at, slapped, punched and walloped repeatedly (and that was just my social life lol) and it never stopped me going back in...but I die a thousand deaths if I'm forced out on a dance floor despite really wishing I could.
This running lark becomes a lot more than just running in so many positive ways, doesn't it
I'm so glad I read this! I'm toying with the Great Scottish Run, HM, but I'm worried I'd have enough time to train. Started C25K 10 April, graduated 10 June, moved on to Bridge, graduated 15 July. After surgery I got back on track and did 11.5K on 29 July.
Question is, is 8 weeks enough to reach 21K???
So, after hovering on the "sign up" button, I thought I might be better working towards my goal and hoping for a space last minute.
After reading this, maybe this would be the best way forward for any future events!
Just bear in mind that they are often more expensive if you wait, and some will sell out. Following the event on social media will likely get you a heads-up when they are running out of spaces.
Interesting! I've been looking at the great South Run as an inbetweeny for the half marathon I booked for next March. But I'm off running for a niggling thigh at the moment so don't want to pay for something just 10 weeks off when I know I have to extend my 10K to 16K and can't even run just now! I've been wondering how long I can leave it before places run out. Heading over to facebook now to find their page ....
I enter "Races" KNOWING there is no chance I'll "win" (best result ever was third place in my age group - but then again, there were only three of us old geezers in it ROFL!)
I will from now on just say I'm running in an "event" - I never was comfortable saying it was a race anyway.
A hm and possibly some day a fm will certayjust be a private race for me - outrunning the lurking FOB my perrenially "Don't do ANYTHING uncomfortable" lizard brain would have me otherwise.
And that smile there in your face - God does that ever illustrate to perfection why we run to begin with
Have been thinking along the same lines. Have my eye on a HM later in the year but will be banking on a last minute place. Events are becoming more and more expensive and you risk chucking a lot of dosh away.
I like the term "event". I have discovered that at age 49 I am lumped in with the 45-49ers or even 40-49ers and therefore stand no chance of coming first, second or third in a "race". That will be one perk of turning 50 in a few months time. I still don't expect to win anything though! But I can get Saga deals too of course.
I have entered an "event" locally at £20 which is a lot for the privilege of getting exhausted running up hills and a medal at the end but I needed a focus. So far my only other running companion who is considering it is over 10 years younger, male and much faster. I have suggested we meet at the start line (at the same time) and the finish line (at different times) and he can fetch me a bottle of water.
I don't really mind what they are called but I guess for me a Tri is an event, and run is a race if I am trying to beat my own pb or part of a running club championship (which I never have done). I don't mind entering things at the last minute or months in advance. If its a marathon then it has to be months as have to get up to that distance or if I am going for a pb what ever distance it needs some kind of training for that event. If not can just blag most events.
Yep, that's a good point about the training. I am going to be watching out for likely events and bearing them in mind when I'm planning my runs. And actually at the moment I'm following an ultramarathon training plan, so who knows that'll lead 😊
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Just bear in mind that they are often more expensive if you wait, and some will sell out. Following the event on social media will likely get you a heads-up when they are running out of spaces. 
Were it me having the pleasure of running with you, it would be a bottle of champagne I'd be fetching for you 
