Do You Really Need to Race? Choosing a Running Challenge
Before we get into this, let’s be clear first and foremost: You don’t need to race to be a runner.
If you run, you’re a runner. Full stop. There is no requirement for any external validation by having to race.
Secondly, should you want that challenge, there are options beyond traditional races. James Gibson, the only runner to complete the Big 3 UK Rounds solo and unsupported in one winter, told me that he’d never run a race in his life.
There are all sorts of challenges you can set yourself that doesn’t involve racing: running every street in your town, running every day for a month, running up your local hill 100 times - you’re only limited by your imagination.
And thirdly, I use the word ‘race’ here to mean race or any other running challenge; the same thought process applies equally to both.
Why race?
For many runners, racing offers a sense of competition and / or community that can't be replicated in training.
It can also be a way to justify the time and effort you've put into training. Having a race on the horizon can help you stay focused and motivated.
And of course, racing can be a way to challenge yourself and see how far you can push your limits.
Choosing a race
With so many races out there, how do you choose the right one for you?
One key step is to think about your personal values and goals. To be truly motivated for a race you need to know why you’re there.
Are you looking to push yourself to new limits, or simply enjoy the experience of running with a group? Do you want to run in the wild, and if so, how wild? Or do you prefer cities and roads?
How far do you want to run and do you prefer the flat or hills? Would supporting a charity help motivate you to meet the challenge?
Personally I love running in the hills and mountains. However give me a road race and I’ll pick something flat because my motivation switches to going for a time.
Other important factors are your fitness and experience. Challenging is good but too challenging risks injury and disappointment. Consider the terrain, distance and elevation profile of the race, and be honest with yourself about what you're capable of.
Remember it's often better to start shorter and more manageable and work your way up, rather than biting off more than you can chew. Longer is not always better, or more challenging.
Once you’ve worked out your motivation, you then get to the fun bit - researching races! Alongside your personal values, goals, fitness and experience, the timing and location of the race also needs to work for you.
The race experience and reputation of the organisers is also important. Talk to other runners and check online reviews to get an independent view of what the race is like.
How often should you race?
The short answer is: it depends. On your goals and fitness level, as well as how much time and energy you have.
If your goal is community, then you might race more often than someone who wants to maximise their performance at each race. Some runners find races an easier and more motivating way to do their long training runs.
You might also want to do tune-up races to prepare for other races. For example you might do a half marathon in the run up to a full marathon, or a shorter ultra in the run up to a 100 miler.
Just remember, if you’re going to run hard, particularly over longer distances, it’s definitely a case of less is more. Allow yourself plenty of time to let your body recover between races, otherwise you risk injury and / or burnout.
So what races am I doing in 2023?
Admittedly, more than I intended….
I’m racing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in April (it’s an absolute classic), followed by the Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K in June, because I want to try a European ultra with the kind of long climbs you just can’t get in the UK.
I’d then hoped to run the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 170K but the dates didn’t work out as my wife Sally is running the Dragon’s Back Race at the same time.
I then couldn’t find an alternative race that excited me, so I’m attempting a solo Paddy Buckley Round in August. Why? After completing the Bob Graham Round with a full support team, I now want the mental challenge of keeping myself motivated and on track for 24 hours with no support (except at road crossings).
I’m also supporting a friend’s Bob Graham attempt and am aiming to get to Scotland to fastpack the Charlie Ramsay Round over a couple of days. Scotland being quite a long way from Richmond, I thought I’d recce it in one go.
I’m also running the South Downs Relay and Man vs Horse with my clubmates from Ranelagh Harriers because it’s fun to run as part of a team.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out what links these races - it’s hills and mountains. I’ll say it again, I love hills and mountains!
What makes this year different to previous years is that I’ve decided to step back from roads almost completely and focus on the trails, because that’s what excites me at the moment. Chasing a marathon PB can wait for another year…
In conclusion….
Racing can be a rewarding and challenging experience for ALL runners.
But it's important to choose the right races for you, as the runner that you are now and not who you think you should or could be. However more than anything, choose what brings you joy.
Running should enrich your life, bring you fun, happiness and the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve done your best. After all, you only get one chance at life!