if there's a race when you would run..

[juliahenry]

Do you just go ahead and sign up for it?

If, say, you're planning on a nice run on a Saturday morning and there's a race happening a few blocks away, do you go ahead and sign up? why or why not?

I'm tempted. A part of me says 'why run when you can race?' And another part of me says 'why pay when you'd be out there anyway?'

Why and when do you race instead of just going for a run?

[Wines Not Whines]

No, I can't bring myself to pay money for most shorter races. There are 5ks around here every weekend, but I can just as easily go out and run 3.1 by myself. I'm more likely to sign up for a longer race, like a half, if I'm supposed to run that distance in training, because they close off roads to traffic and provide water, so I don't have to worry about those things.

[grk2012]

If it's a good race (well organized, nice swag) or if I'm at the point in training where I tend to need new routes and inspiration, then absolutely.

[gt7301b]

I love smaller races and enjoy them more than larger races for three reasons: 1) I have a better change of winning an age group award 2) I don't have to get up so early and fight the crowds 3) They normally run $20-30. I prefer small races (200-400) people to mid size races and usually prefer to race the races that have a good t-shirt.

I like racing because I push myself harder than if I was running on my own.

[stingsharkruns]

Probably not - I usually only do 5k/10k if the running group or Pinkwillow are doing them. I prefer longer runs on the weekend.

[agrippa]

I did a 10k this weekend because I was due for a 6 mile run and thought that it would be fun. The race was on an airport runway and advertised its pancake flat course quite effectively. :-) I wouldn't do it all of the time though.

[shorty20]

I think it just depends on the race and the cost of it. I love racing, and am much more motivated to go race than I am just to do a regular training run on my own. If it's not that expensive, then I'd probably do the race.

[al320]

depends on the distance, the course, the cost, the timing, what else i have going on that weekend, etc.

[shelbyann]

I would if I wanted to get a hard effort in! I don't think I'd pay to "just run" though.

[cinco]

I love to race, so if I could get someone to watch the kids, it was close to our house, and it wasn't too pricey, I'd do it. Those things don't come together for me too often though!

[sadlebred]

It depends. Sometimes I'll enter a local race on my local mountain bike trails because 1. The promoter puts on a good race. 2. It's fun to see how fast I can do my local trail in a race. 3. Something to do for half a day and to hang out with my friends. 4. It supports a good cause. 5. Because I know I'll ride harder and faster in a race than on a normal ride.

[ebeth]

sometimes I get sick of just running and I want to run fast. so I sign up for a race.

for me the last minute race sign up often depends on whether I really need to get in a longer run or not. if I don't need to get in long run mileage and I want to run fast then I'll sign up.

[Deleted]

Not really. Why pay money when I can run for free? Plus, I like the freedom of choosing when I run, where I run, my pace, etc. I also save my longer runs for the weekend and I like to do them by myself. It helps me to mentally prepare for the distance, learn my body, and have time to think/destress.

I save races for good races or cool prizes or a unique route or in a race dry spell to keep me motivated.