Why race?

Tomorrow I am going to spend half the day standing in line a packet pickup and then attending a newcomers' orientation and bike inspection as I prepare for my first Duathlon on Sunday. This brings to mind the simple question - why race?

I wish I could say that it is because I have a chance to win, but that will never be the case. The most common answer for racers like me probably involves a discussion of competing against oneself to try and always improve upon the last race. Unfortunately I don't really care much about that either. So why do I race? For me the answer is simple and obvious - racing is FUN and MOTIVATING! Those of us at the back of the pack have so much more fun than the ones with a chance of winning an award. We chat and bond and have fun. A few years ago, I ran most of a race with a man in a tux and a woman in a bridal gown. They stopped around mile 5 of the 10K and got married. That was awesome! This past July, I ran behind the entire cast of the Wizard of Oz for a little while. They were passing out cards urging kids to stay in school. What a great experience! This spring I ran my first marathon. While I am ridiculously proud of having accomplished that, the bonding and chatting with other runners really is the reason why I did it (and will do it again).

So on Sunday I am doing my first Duathlon. A 2-mile run, then a 26-mile bike ride, and finishing with a 4-mile run. I am confident that I will have no trouble finishing. I am also confident that I will have no shot of winning any kind of award. Why am I doing it? Because it is going to be loads of fun, and I hope to meet some awesome people along the way! Then those bonds will pump me up to start preparing for my next challenge - my first Century ride in September! FUN and MOTIVATION - that's why I run, and come to think of it, that's why I teach as well!