Welcome all, to racing season. More like pre-race season, but nonetheless, spring, summer and fall is littered with organized races of every sort. For veterans, this is an exciting time to prepare for your favorite annual events, and hunt for some new ones.
From bike races, local 1-mile walks, to country-wide marathons, there are plenty of places to get involved.
Why should I go?
Organized races have tons of perks. They're a great way to get a group of friends or family members on board to training together. For the solo racer, they provide an opportunity to meet new people with similar interests, and see the talent range and involvement of your community.
Many races have a support or cause behind their name. For the cost of a few trips to McDonald's, you can instead spend your money to run in support of anything from breast cancer to global warming.
Also, these organized events give you a great reason to work towards a specific goal you can put on your calendar. Don't let the term 'race' fool you either; most community races (especially those for a cause) place more emphasis on your involvement than your clocked time. Whether your personal goal is to make it to race day, run the entire path, or to finish top in your age group, participation is key!
Where to find them?
Check local newspapers, gyms and sporting good stores. Smaller sporting goods stores especially are prone to posting bulletin boards with up and coming races, and even sponsor local running groups.
Runner's World also has a great list of races across the United States, which means no matter where your summer vacation takes you, you can always find something! If you're looking for bike races, Bike Ride and USA Cycling have search bars for races and information on joining local clubs.
No matter your ability level, challenge yourself to get out to at least one race this summer,
Check back tomorrow for information on the race I'm currently preparing for!
