Why do we need to run races? Do we need to run a race? Can you get a lot out of running without racing? OK, but not this either. gave Benefits of Running a Marathon Or a 5K is much more than a few miles!
Most of you know I don’t run much… 1600 miles a year and maybe 1 or 2 races. There is nothing inherently wrong with racing and I love achieving goals, but for me running is reward enough.
However, this often puts me in the minority!
And there are some really good reasons why we want to run a marathon. What you won’t find on this list is that it makes you a “real runner,” makes the time you spend running more valuable, or changes your worth.
So when you think you might be ready, use them to further validate why you want to do it!
Hitting the register and showing up at that start line could change your life. I’ve done a deep dive on the benefits of running, but what about the benefits of running everything from a 5K to a marathon?
13 Benefits of Running a Marathon
If nerves, a busy schedule or other excuses have kept you from toeing the line, let that be your motivation to hit it.Register“
Here are 13 benefits of running a 5k and benefits of running a marathon because to me it’s less about the distance and more about the experience!
1) Race allows us to set a plan and accomplish goals.
When I sign up for a race, I immediately create a training calendar, working backwards from the date of the longest run (3 weeks prior to the longest run completed, 2 weeks in advance for half and one week in advance for short distances).
Having a set training calendar gives me a plan for each work and/or rest day and gives me the daily motivation I need to get up, put on my shoes and get out the door.
If I complete the training, I know I will complete the race, no matter the distance.
It feels more tangible than many other things in life!
2) Racing is a fantastic litmus test for training.
Of course, I always try to stick to my training plan, but life sometimes gets in the way and I might miss a big post-meal meal or a tempo run or hill walk that I’ve been meaning to do. I know I should run. …
All those shows come on race day.
Races teach me where my training discipline is lacking.
For me, every race is a new lesson in how well my training is actually working and that’s a huge advantage of running a 5k, nothing shows you like this when you finish your speed work. Has left the annoyance.
I appreciate these lessons because they show me that I can do better or remind me that running wasn’t my life’s priority.
3) Races are basically one big party!
If you know me in real life, you know I love connecting with other runners and good friends. Being surrounded by like-minded people in the race is very encouraging.
From bib pickup at the pre-race expo to that sense of excitement in the starting corral, to the finish line festivities, it’s just one big party that everyone paid for. A place we all want to be and understand each other.
Races are meant to be fun and this mental shift often helps to hit a PR!
Need a little boost to sign up for another race? These 13 very happy reasons will make #runner Click to tweet.
4) Run a marathon because you love running.
Even those who say, “Oh, I’m not really a runner.Can happily follow the couch for a 5K training plan.
If you love to run, this is what you do.
Races are a celebration of the time we’re putting in and an opportunity to choose how we want to challenge ourselves.
I know many people who started with small distances and are now achieving big goals like full marathons, 50Ks, 50 milers, and even 100 mile races!
If you love to run, you’ll want to run more, so the marathon often sneaks up on you as a goal.
5) Never underestimate the power of great schwag!
From personalized bibs to race shirts, medals as big as dinner plates, printed sweat check bags, protein bar samples, running magazines, and more, everything is included in your registration fee, Race a Runner’s Christmas. are like
And then of course you have to show off your race medals for endless conversation and encouragement.
Opening that schwag bag, wearing that medal, feasting on all the post-race food and drink, the race feels like a vacation to me, complete with presents!!!
It really doesn’t get any better than this!
Amanda says yes, ha! This is what I would love to see in a race swag bag.
Photo of the London Marathon Expo
6) Run a race, make new friends.
Even when I go to a race alone, I’m sure to easily strike up a conversation with the stranger runner next to me. Maybe it’s because I’m clear to a fault but I think that just has to do with the operators being horrible people!
I’ll meet someone in my starting corral, we’ll exchange photos, I’ll see them later in the race and we’ll check how the other is feeling.
I’d see them again after the finish, we’d happily pick up our free beers and the next thing I know, we’re friends on Facebook and exchanging our race calendars thus growing our circle of friends. Is.
7) Run a race, see old friends.
Even when I go to a race alone, I’m not alone for long.
We have so many great race companies here in the San Francisco Bay Area—road and trail alike—and after so many years of running, racing, and being involved with our local race community, it’s inevitable that I’m someone who I will see someone I know. In every single race I participate in.
I think that’s not just the benefit of running a marathon, but of being a part of the run community as a whole.
On race morning, I like to think, “I wonder who I’ll go to today!“And then at the race, seeing a running friend, giving a big, sweaty hug, we both say at the same time,”I didn’t know you were running it. One!” Love it!
Amanda’s Note: Can’t stop laughing at my friend Marlene Who was dropped by his friend on his way to PR… still got PR, laughs and memories.
8) Races allow you to see places in a whole new way.
One of the goals of mine driving is to race through all the different cities across America while the background is always changing. I don’t sign up for the same race year after year because I really want to try them all! Road and Trail!!!
Indeed I have found that the race gives many people an excuse to travel!
Check out 10 more reasons to race that aren’t about the clock >>
9) People watching is super fun.
I admit that I like to people watch and depending on the race, you have about 1,000-30,000 people to watch and I always look at what people are wearing, even if it’s cute. Be casual or festive.
More and more runners are running in costumes these days and let’s not forget the joy that comes with charity racing uniforms that include images and motivational quotes.
I love seeing people love running so much – so much that they will do almost anything during a race! (Don’t get me started on Bay Two Breakers, though.)
10) Spectators make you feel really important.
Even on a trail run where there’s no one cheering you on along the way, you’ll still have your share of hooting, woo-hooing when you cross that finish line.
While in a road race, you are surrounded by strangers.”Go! Holding up some kind of comical race sign
I take energy from the spectators, I get encouragement, I return their smiles and encourage them to keep going.
11) It gives you a challenge, which we often lack.
Whether it’s a course I’ve never seen before, a higher altitude than I’ve ever climbed, a nagging injury to deal with, or a PR goal I have in mind, racing always presents me with new challenges. which I gladly accept.
I don’t believe one can grow in comfort zone. I wouldn’t hesitate to sign up for a “hard” race to push myself past what I know I can already do.
I want to do more, push harder, be tougher and the race gives me plenty of opportunities to do that.
12) Racing is always exciting!
Nothing can ever come close to that feeling of pre-race excitement—it starts to subside in my gut and flutter up to my chest so much that I can never sleep the night before a race.
Even though I’ve done about 70 races to date, I always feel a whole new sense of nervousness with each race and embrace the feeling of excitement that leads up to the moment I cross the starting line.
13) Racing means great post-race celebrations
I’m injured right now so it’s not fair but when I’m not injured and dedicated to my training, I eat healthily and sensibly and don’t eat “bad” food or drink alcohol.
But, when I cross that finish line, you better not stand in the way of me and my bacon cheeseburger and bottle of red wine or I will wrestle you to the ground immediately and directly.
It has to happen. some dayOkay fine?!
Now that I’ve shared some of the benefits of running a marathon, what are you going to do?!
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