i hear these words or variations of these words quite often:
“you race a lot”
i always want to stop and correct people by saying:
“no i don’t race a lot, but i do run a lot of races!”
although i do participate/run in in a number of races, i don’t nearly as often put a race effort out. when i say race effort, i mean run as hard or as fast as i can on that given day. racing takes a lot out of you and a lot out of your body, so for me, i like to save those race efforts for when i am prepared and when they fit strategically into my training schedule. my body definitely can’t handle running all out all the time.
i have run a lot of races as training runs… say i have 14 miles scheduled for the weekend and there is a half marathon around – why not run it at an easy pace? or i have a 6 mile tempo run – maybe a 10k would be a good idea? i like using the race atmosphere to get me out the door, to practice getting to races on time, and to practice my pre-race routine and nerves. i like having all the people around me and i like having friends to run with. it’s nice not to have to think about things so much like what route to run on, if there will be water, etc… it’s just all there planned out for you! plus races give you stuff, and we all know i like stuff 
i know a lot of people who don’t like to run races for fun or at an effort less than “race effort” and that’s great, i think i am starting to lean more that way myself… but i do really like going into a couple races a year, without any pressure, just to have fun and get the medal at the end, especially if i have a friend to run it with!
do you distinguish between the two… running vs racing?
do you ever run races just for fun or as training runs,
or do all the races you enter have a race effort associated with them?
oh and by the way, this weekend, i am racing.
*******************
tonight i met up with kristin after work for an easy run with her and her pup bentley. i did 2 miles on my own, and then 6 with her. my legs were slightly heavy at first but felt great by the end. hopefully this continues throughout the week so i can have nice fresh legs come sunday
8.2 miles/1:15:26/9:12 avg pace
Absolutely! There's a big difference between them to me too, but I always go harder than I would in a race even if I'm not racing, which is one reason why my coach won't let me race for fun as much as I would like
But, he is letting me run 8 marathons this year 
PS – Good luck racing your race this weekend!
ugh. i hate having to distinguish to my friends running vs racing. racing to me is going for a pr, going for the best, and making sure i get there come hell or high water.
running is all about the fun. sure racing can be fun too but there's always a risk of being disappointed. running never disappoints
I just touch on this topic in my post tonight! Glad to see I don't have to explain the terms to everyone! Running is enjoying, experincing, training. Racing is giving the distance your very best effort. Completely different things. I think runners need a bit of both. Unfortunately some runners forget to just run and let go of the need to be racing all the time!
I hope you are enjoy loads of running with a side of racing.
I couldnt agree more! I have to mentally trick myself though. When i'm racing, i say im just fun-racing because if I admitt i'm racing and fail at my goal, then its too hard to deal with. If i say i'm fun-racing every time, then I never am let down… sorta!
anyways, nice job on the run!!!
TOTALLY. I knew going into my half a few weeks ago that it was just a training run. I took it easy, had fun chatting with a friend, and still had a semi-decent time considering I wasn't racing. And I'm not planning on racing the half I'm doing this week. I know I'm not in shape to do it, so I just want to run for fun and enjoy being with fellow Nashville runners.
But when I'm racing… I definitely know going into it that I'm doing that. And that's when I start caring about my time and goals and my mentality is SO different.
Last summer was my first time ever even participating in races so I did all but one of them at my best effort and "raced". This summer, my #1 priority is my first marathon which is in October. So even though I have 1-3 "races" on the schedule each month leading up to October, they really are more just for fun.
Because running races is FUN! Way more fun then doing a 13.1 mile training run all alone without ppl cheering you on
Loved this post. It was such a mental check behind those two terms. I do a combination – some for training and some for racing. I like to make a couple runs coincide with races because it helps me with those 'race day variables'
there are a couple races during the year that are NOT training runs to me, but actual events were I'm putting it all out there. Woo – I get my new GARMIN tomorrow!
I feel like I just got this concept this year. I definitely plan runs that are strictly for fun and to support others starting to run themselves and then I plan the ones I know I want to set PR's for or try to place well at. It does add great variety to training and keep me from getting board with the same ole route.
Do I ever run races just for fun? Oh hahahahahahaha… what a silly question, Aron! I haven't raced since 2008! (look – a rhyme just for you!)
Racing is fun. I race races and it's hard for me to not race a race. It's a race! I have tried to run a race just for fun but it's kind of hard for me…I just like the competition. That's kind of hard to admit.
I definitely agree, there are some races that I run just for the running, not to race…although with 5K and 10K's I generally give my best effort. Half marathons, however, I often do for fun and training. Especially since I've been marathon training, I find halfs to be a great chance to do an MP long run. I don't plan on "racing" another half until after my June marathon, but I am "running" at least two! (As for 15K's, we'll see what happens this weekend in Portland!) Good luck with your half RACE!
To each his/her own, I say! I personally don't have the self-control not to race if i'm in a race so I know better than to pretend I will. But if you can and you do, then why not! You don't have to justify to anyone why and how you do races just like you don't have to justify to anyone how or why or when or how long you run. I only distinguish the two because I'm ultra-competitive with myself, so that's the only difference. With others, I let them define the terms for themselves.
Nice distinction and after a few years one I'm beginning to grasp. Using races to train is a really useful thing and pushing yourself a bit – especially on a long run – is a great thing. Without going all out..
Though good luck going all out this weekend – enjoy!
Huge difference! I have A, B and C races…most racing is to get ready for that A race for the year. All else is training and warm up. I have a B race this year – give it my best but will not cry if I don't PR.
i have run a lot of races as training runs…
I totally agree with that – especially since I do 99% of my long runs alone, I'll take advantage of any opportunity to sign up for a race for training.
I run in the races to get the excitement, but I do not push a hard race pace. I am not there yet
I want to enjoy all of it!!
I run races all the time, love using them as part of my training especially for marathons. Actually I think my best half marathon time has been during a marathon and not a half marathon….. as I don't races halfs usually, they are training runs.
I think the only races I RACE are 5K's, 10K's and marathons.
Yes, I distinguish between the two. I call them "events" and "races". It's an event if I'm participating. It's a race if I'm really shooting for some specific time…
I totally distinguish! A lot of people made comments about my schedule for this year but what they dont realize is that much of that is for fun. I only have about 4 races that are solid go-all-out races…the rest are for fun! Like Lisa said, there are events and races. I like both
Great rules of the road! That's exactly how I do it: use a race as a training run. Actually, it helps calm my nerves when I think of it that way.
Good luck this weekend.
There is always a little social pressure to run more seriously when it's an organized event…not necessarily "racing" intensity, but more than I would do on a training run. I haven't been as active a participant as you, but yes non-running friends have a hard time understanding the purpose in running in a race but not "racing" for a goal. Very hard to explain
Our group distinguishes between racing and running. In fact, our coach is pretty adamant that we start each clinic with not only our races picked but what the targets are: 1 goal race and the others are training runs.
Last Sunday was my goal race…now I do my next race as a training run. It's gonna hurt – it is 30km my longest ever….
i love to run races for the fun and excitement, for being a part of the running community, and supporting the causes the races are raising are supporting. i love the energy of race day, watching the crowds, feeding off the excitement of others. i dont necessarily push harder at races, i'm not there yet, but the adrenaline and excitement of the races usually has me running faster than i would otherwise.
good luck this weekend! i'm super stoked, i got in nice and easy 2 miler last night with no shin pain and very little knee soreness afterward. i've got a "plan" to help me finish strong and i'm excited for my first half!
Great topic! This is something that comes up for me a lot too.
I love to get involved in all kinds of races… if there's something nearby and a friend or two is going to be there, SIGN ME UP!
Like you, I treat many of them as training runs or just fun runs (hello wine tasting run!). I try to select just a few key races each season to actually "race".
We are so much alike
I totally run races for training, like you said, the more you do it the better you will do come the "real" race day. Plus, I like "stuff," too! Tee hee 
I have 20 miles on the books for Sunday, so I don't think I will be going all out on Sunday since I will have to round out the day when I am done with a few extra! Can't wait to see ya!
Pretty sure I fall into the "do a lot of races that are fun." I think for me, I only go for the PR about once maybe twice a year, everything else is about finishing with a smile.
I also think setting the bar with low expectations helps me maintain a calmer attitude toward races and I can go in saying finish with a smile but if I'm feeling good push it, if not, maintain the smile =).
My old definition of racing was running to WIN. If you use that definition, I NEVER race. My new definition of racing involves racing yourself…going for a PR, all out effort etc.
I like running races for fun. With my new foray into trail running, I never race, so they are all for fun. The race environment is a nice change of pace from training runs.
Good luck this weekend.
I wish I could take the approach that you do to races. For me if I sign up and fork over the $$ you'd better believe I'm racing aka going as fast as I can for the duration of the course. Maybe if I had more runner friends like you I could do some for fun/as training runs with them. I think if you "raced" all your races you'd be one tired kiddo, but you seem to have a good balance.
For the most part, I do race. Since I'm a college runner, I kind of don't have a choice! But when I ran a half-marathon race, I just did it – I ended up coming in right at 1:50 (my fastest time is <1:45) but I honestly don't know if I would have enjoyed actually racing that distance.
I guess I never really categorized it but I know there are races I enter just to "run" and then others I enter to "race". Granted, I really am racing myself. I am not going to place in my age group by any means but am trying for a PR. I guess the difference between feeling prepared to run a good race or just doing it to log miles. Good luck this weekend!
I absolutely distinguish between runs & races…granted, I've only run a handful of 5Ks, 1 10K and am training for my first Half (which is only 5 weeks away!)
I like a nice mix, some races for fun, some for racing. Not too many for fun though, because sometimes I just feel like it's a waste of money. The race atmosphere is so great, nothing like it!
I'm a big fan of fun runs, but cannot afford to spend my whole paycheck on them every weekend. Luckily there are some affordable smaller races in town.
i definitely distinguish between the two and keep the hard efforts for those which i'm racing. i actually think there's a lot of benefit from running a race with an easy effort.
and i usually do correct people. i'll say i'm running (or racing) marathon such in such…
I am a mostly for-fun racer … I run a lot of races and enjoy them, but don't usually consider myself to be racing them. Fortunately, I'm often pleasantly surprised with this outlook whenever I PR!
That said … I have a hard time bringing out my 'race pace' when I'm not being timed
There are lots of reasons why you would run a race rather than actually racing it. One could be your point about how racing too much is taxing on the body. Another could be if you want to just help another runner out by pacing them.
I personally do not try to just run races since I have to pay the race fees, so to me it just sounds like I'm just paying to run (when I do it for free every other day!). But I did run a 10K not too long ago because I've never ran it before and didn't want to shoot myself in the foot running it how I would run a 5K
Learning to run a race rather than race it is something I want to learn how to do. I think my issue is that I don't want Athlinks to list me with slow race times. Yes, kinda silly, but true. Also, races are expensive, and if I pay for it, I want to race.
i tend to just race for time. tho i ran a race with my sister and paced her thru it, so that was for fun. but i do think if i ran more races i would improve my race times.
For sure there is a huge difference between running and racing. This year, I am doing a lot of running. Last year I did a lot of racing
When I first started running I ran a lot of races of shorter distances — 5k's, 10k's, 4 milers, 5 milers — I don't do those anymore for fun. I can't justify the expense of a short "fun run" anymore.
Nowadays it generally has to be a half or a full for me to justify spending the money on a race if it isn't a race effort.
That said, for me, I really need my fun races vs. racing to keep me sane. A great race run at a fun pace does a lot for the running soul.
This is an interesting perspective. As a fairly new runner, I have never even thought about running in a race and not giving it my all for a P/R, etc. Thank you for providing some ideas to newbies!
There is a definite difference for me. I run plenty (in fact, most) of my races. But, every once in a while I consider what I'm doing racing. Not gonna win, but I'm racing. At least my version of it.
i certainly distinguish between them. And this year, I've actually done fewer road races and upped my "race effort" runs as a replacement. I love the swag and the atmosphere. But, I just dind't wanna deal with all the hooplah…..
I think it's fun that you do so many races. It's great that you can get out there and do it without "racing."
I *run* most races. They've got to be the right distance at the right time in my training plan though. I think other tan the training, there's still a lot to be gained in a race. For example – showing up at Surf City 5 minutes *after* the start. That told me better have my crap together before my goal race!
A *race* is only occurs when a training goal is reached. Like at the end of 18 weeks…
I totally agree with you! running and racing are to totally different things and come to think of it, i haven't raced in a long time! weird
They are so different!
Racing is:
at the end of a prescribed training period
an "all out" effort designed to PR or do well
intense
you shouldn't enjoy it. it should be hard
running is just la la around.
I definitely think there is a difference between the two!
Definitely differentiate. This is probably why I don't register for many races. I register if I'm "race-ready." I really want to break out of that though and run races for FUN.
I think there is a big difference between running and racing. I havent had that urge to race really while I have had the urge to get out and run. I guess it depends on the person. Some people race every weekend in the summer. I think that would be fun but also exhausting!
yep — two completely different things! and i do both as well. sometimes i downgrade a racing effort to just running if training didn't go quite as planned — that way i still get to have fun without the pressure
i am awful at "just running" races… my competitiveness (with myself) comes out and i can't help but set goals all the time. i wish i could just-run races like you sometimes!
i agree, it is fun to 'relax' in them sometimes — i just gotta figure out how.
Yes! There IS a difference fosh! Running a race for fun with friends is great! I'll take pics, visit/encourage other runners, really enjoy the course. This weekend I'm racing and really hoping to PR. That means hydrating, resting, warming up before the race…and knots in my tummy!