Have fun during your training

There are several reasons to use races to train for your biggest race of the year. 

But the biggest reason is it’s more fun. 

I did a 50K last weekend in Moab, the Arches Ultra put on by the excellent Mad Moose, and it was one of the best races I’ve ever done. It was scenic, difficult and really well run. And i probably wouldn’t have done it unless I had a 100-miler in March. 

I did a 50-miler in January, the also fun H3 Frozen, and so I needed at least one more long run before the 100, as 100 is a long way. I didn’t really want to do loops around my favorite course in Greeley five times. I’d rather see something new and different. I also find myself inspired in a race. 

There’s some really good mental discipline that comes from training because you don’t have a race pulling you along. But it’s also OK to not feel like you need to grind out long runs all the time. Find friends to run with, find new places to run and do some races for long runs.

It’s OK to have fun. In fact, other than the free snacks and medal, why else would you do it?