Selecting Races
WebbyShoo
Posts: 115 Member
Being that race entries add up quickly, I was wondering, how do you guys go about choosing races to enter? I tend to only run local races that are chipped, I've signed up for a few that weren't chipped and was disappointed later to find out they weren't (stupid website I use to register doesn't always mention it, I guess I'll have to call to double check). Given they are about $50 a pop, I'm having a hard time deciding which races to aim for and train into. So I'm wondering, do you usually give yourself a certain amount of weeks? Base it on the route/terrain? Base it on the charity it supports? Join just because the date works for you? I have 4 different races I REALLY want to do in the next 3 months... but... but... lol, the cost. Just wondering how you guys go about picking/choosing.
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I select my half marathon and marathon races according to popularity and the bling, lol. In Ottawa, we have Ottawa Race Weekend in May which is a huge event and attracts thousands of runners. The atmosphere is amazing so I like to do that one. We have the Army Run in September which is also another hugely popular race so I definitely do those because I like the large crowds. I like to get an early shorter summer run under my belt so timing comes into play for that. I only do about 4 races a year. Two shorter ones, and two longer ones. I want a medal as well so if they don't offer a medal then I don't do them. .0
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Ooooh yes, this last half trail marathon in Edmonton had a medal and as silly as it feels, it's pretty awesome getting one, it's my second one ever, my other one is from 2001, hahaha, it's one of those things that makes you feel like a child again. It made me remember track, xcountry and marathon club in school, good memories!
I shall have to factor that in, I also really like the T-shirts, the bigger the race the better the designs I find. LOL. 
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For my first "big" race last year I chose it based on the date, it was the day before my birthday, and the location, it was on the beach. This year I'm doing the Houston marathon because it's a big event and will be super exciting to be a part of. For all the short races I have generally chosen the ones that are literally in my neighbourhood. They usually only cost about 25 bucks and don't require getting up early and driving.0
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I pick the ones that my local running club and running shop put on - large and small events - because I like to support them. I don't really do too many local 5Ks anymore because there's just too many, they cost too much, and some are poorly coordinated. Sometimes, to be social, I will run one, like I did a Run or Dye 5K this weekend. It just wasn't the same as even the small local 5Ks - it was mass produced and I felt like I was at a Happy Gilmore golf tournament. But it was a purely social gathering to try and get some of my colleagues into running, and I think it worked. My next 5K is a memorial run for two cops that got killed in the line of duty in my city, so I will gladly participate for the cause.
Now talking marathons and stuff, I try not to miss one. Training is one thing, but nothing can replace the adrenaline and nerves of showtime. Same with triathlons. I don't run into the money issue because I'm not in a huge city, but my challenge is training for marathon - tri - marathon - tri about every other weekend. I like the pride of pinning a bib to my wall and throwing another medal in the drawer. I'm starting to travel for the big ones, such as the Marine Corps Marathon in Oct.0 -
One of the good things about living in Ottawa is that we have really active running and triathlon communities so I can get my fix without having to travel and I have a couple of events; Army Run and Ride the Rideau (not really a race but a 100km charity ride), that I consider non-negotiable, the others are timed to keep me active throughout the year.
This year I had the Hypothermic Half in January (yes, we're crazy, we run when it's cold out....), Ottawa Race Weekend Half-Marathon, I've got a sprint triathlon coming up this weekend and (maybe) another at the beginning of September and have signed up for a duathlon in October.0 -
Cost plays a big part for me, I have basically stopped running 5 and 10K races because I just can't justify the price. $50 for something that will last less than 20 minutes just isn't worth it.0
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Cost definitelyplays into it for me, but I also think about my training schedule. When I sign up for a race it is usually to see where I am at in my training so I put a PR effort into each one. Last year I made the mistake of racing every weekend in October and then ended up bonking on my 14 mile training run because I lost all recovery. So this year I am looking at my marathon training calendar and trying to strategically place 5k, 10k, half and one 25 k into it to where I am sure I can hit my recovery well enough to continue training. Of course, after a hard effort I will usually take an extra day off, maybe 2. Last year I learned the hard way :-(0
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Distance and if it's on trail pretty much dictates my racing selection. I'm a trail runner so that is a huge deciding factor. I won't sign up for a road race unless there is a really good reason. I hate the crowds and I'm not someone who needs cheering people to run long. I actually find it draining.
Almost all the races I do at this point are 50k and above in distance. Trail marathons and below I rarely sign up for unless there is a social reason or it's in an trail area that's new to me. Talk about difference in crowd support - you'll be lucky to get a "attagirl" from a day use hiker on some of the races I do - if you even see one. lol0 -
I don't build my own racing schedule yet but when I do I'll be looking at the competition level (I want a fairly quick field), costs, USATF certification, and if it is part of a series (I'm considering doing an XC series after college which is in the area). Similar for finding open track meets, but adding in events (specifically race walk if I go that route).0
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Travel time is also a factor. My wife and I have agreed that travel time can not exceede the time required to run the race for anything htat does not have "marathon" in the title.0
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Great discussion. I stopped doing 10'k races so often because of the price to register, $50 for a 10k when a half marathon is similar cost to register is silly. I'm going to start supporting different businesses that organize races as well, like 5peaks, etc and for next year try to find trail races ahead of time before they fill up (very popular here given we're near the mountains).
Takes lots of planning because of travel etc, but I think if I invest my time and money into races that really matter to me, I'll enjoy the running season more. This convo has helped me choose my last 2 races this season, thanks guys!0 -
My first half marathon was chosen for me, as I joined a training team. That was for SF Wipro. I chose the half that was hilly but went along the Embarcadero and over the golden gate bridge. After that I went on a bit of a half marathon registering binge and immediately registered for one that was very local (RnR Half in San Jose) and for the Big Sur Half in Monterey. After I completed the Big Sur Half, I registered for my first full marathon - that was this last May in Santa Cruz and Capitola, CA. In preparation for that full marathon, I did a half marathon in Santa Cruz which covered the half of the course I was less familiar with. Also, Santa Cruz is a perfect choice for me for my first full because (1) it was a small race (I don't like it too crowded) and (2) it was in one of my favorite places on earth.
Open registrations include the Half Moon Bay International Marathon in September and the Big Sur International Marathon next April. The Half Moon Bay marathon has a significant portion that is not paved, so to help prepare for that I've registered for a trail half marathon in August up in the Oakland hills. A lot of my training on my long runs has been on unpaved levies.
I'll also register for races for social reasons... just yesterday I did a Wharf to Wharf race in Santa Cruz, purely to run with friends. I went at their pace. I'll also do the RnR half in San Jose again this year - it's a week after my HMB marathon, so my legs are going to be awfully tired and I'm hoping my friends will take it easy on me because I plan to run with them. I'd really like to find a hilly half marathon sometime in late February / early March in preparation for Big Sur.
I didn't attempt to register for the Nike Women's in SF because I thought it was too expensive (it's also a bit BIG for my liking) and I didn't register for the Tinkerbell Half in Disneyland even though I have friends going because I thought it would end up being too expensive (race fees + airfare + hotel, etc.).0 -
I'll also do the RnR half in San Jose again this year - it's a week after my HMB marathon, so my legs are going to be awfully tired and I'm hoping my friends will take it easy on me because I plan to run with them.
After the second race go here: http://www.halffanatics.com/0
