Top Ten Reasons to Run a Race

During the winter months, there are certainly fewer road races here in Canada. After all, with the snow and cold, it is difficult to train consistently for races. Furthermore, there are not too many people who truly enjoy racing in the deep freeze of winter. It is hard to set a PR when you are wearing three layers of gear and even harder if you have to wear YaxTraxx. Still, there are some *crazy* races for those runners who believe that the best runs take place when it is -20 or colder.

Most members of the Go Girls Running Club do not fall into the category of "winter racer". So we are looking ahead to the spring, when race season will begin. The problem is that spring seems so far away, and it is easy to let one's training slide. We must stay motivated and excited about our upcoming race season in order to be diligent in our training. For this reason, I present to you the Top Ten Reasons to Run a Race.

10. Free safety pins. Lots of them.

9. Sometimes in the race, if the moment is just right, you can pretend that you are running in Chariots of Fire.

8. All the water and Gatorade you can drink!

7. A chance to impress family and friends. Just don't tell them how you actually placed. Instead, emphasize the distance and, if appropriate, your chip time. Most people think running 5K is a big deal. Wait until they hear you finished a 10K or a 10 miler or a half marathon...or even a full marathon! They will think you are a star, albeit a bit crazy, but still a star.

6. Post-race celebrations. Time the race properly and you can arrive at the pub just as it becomes legal to start serving alcohol (11am in Ontario).

5. Race T-shirts. Sure you already have a dozen of them. But still, wearing a new race shirt to the gym says to all the 20 year old punks and gym divas and musclemen that you actually left the gym to compete in a real athletic event. I am Athlete, hear me roar!

4. Using Port-a-Potties will make you appreciate your own bathroom so much more, even if it hasn't been renovated in 30 years.

3. You get to wear a number without (a) being in jail; (b) being on American/Canadian Idol; or (c) having to play on a team with other kids (who never pass the ball, incidentally).

2. More magnets from that foot doctor guy.

1. That feeling you get when you cross the finish line...it's a runner's high charged exponentially!