MOTIVATION FOR SUMMER CHALLENGE III: RACING JOYS

Drive in front of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac island Michigan at dawn. Taken by PKSenagore August 2018. All rights reserved.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T YET COMMITTED TO TAKING ON THE "FASTEST 5K OR SUMMER OF FUN 5KS" SUMMER CHALLENGE III. 

TINA MUIR HAS ADVICE FOR ELITE RUNNERS WHO DO NOT CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE IN PEAK FORM.  THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER FAST enough to train and race for a personal record (PR) as they had done in the past. In her article for Podium Runner.com, Muir describes running her first Boston Marathon as a mother with a one-year old daughter, as a former elite who took time off to enjoy experiences not related to sport competition.
 
Although she is NOT addressing the population of ’never-racers’ and pure fun-runners, Muir’s piece can be motivation for this group.  In it she explains why she decided to make an emotional and mental break from the pressures of life as an elite to “enjoy the entire marathon journey”, while ‘just doing her best”.  The experience seems to have been difficult; possibly she continues to struggle with performing as a non-elite.  However, Muir’s story serves as testimony that committing, training, and then completing a race represents a life ‘prize’ that’s worth the effort. She described the non-elite-status experience as empowering.
 
Tina Muir’s race was 26.2 miles. It was the Boston Marathon!
 
From personal experience I know that a newbie racer can set their eyes on a far less ambitious and glorious goal of 3.1 miles, 5K, and be totally thrilled when crossing the finish line.  Whether the accomplishment is achieved by running, jogging, run-walking, or walking, it can be exhilarating. 
 
Last summer, because of a year-long knee issue, I decided to train to walk a 5K that nearly everyone else I know would be running. I had run that race many times for decades with the intent of winning my age/gender group. It was embarrassing to have previously slower friends and acquaintances pass me after the start signal was sounded. But soon enough, I was alone on the road and concerned only with my walking form and breathing.  At about the halfway mark I realized walking a race was as demanding of my mind and body as running; I was aching! The finish was joyous.  Yay for me.
 
I walked another race at Thanksgiving, an 8K Turkey Trot, and this summer my sights are on completing a 5K race, which I will be walk-running.  To avoid injury and keep my knees healthy I’ll likely not ever run continuously when training or racing again, instead  incorporate a few 5-10-minute run segments in each training walk session.  Like Tina Muir I’m delighted to just be doing my best, and able to join in the race fun.
 
If you have not yet decided on a summer challenge, consider the “Fastest 5k or Summer of Fun 5K’s”, the 2019 SUMMER CHALLENGE III. It requires committing to training for one 5K whether walking, run-walking, or running. The joys of racing can come from being fast, as well as working toward a goal to have fun.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
See the Blog post describing 2019 SUMMER CHALLENGE III ; it's also provided on the RESOURCES page, as well as other SUMMER 2019 CHALLENGES

https://www.podiumrunner.com/enjoying-racing-even-if-you-arent-in-pr-shape_177389