A good race, while we all know what it means to us, is a very ambiguous term. Does it refer to the actual run, or the event, or is it only available to those elites for whom it is actually a competitive race. Can someone have a good race while running the worst time possible? Its all on your outlook and how your perceive races. A race is definitely good if you win, or pr. Races are still good if you do a good job and know you did the best of your ability. The actual race that someone put together is also important. Well organized and good scenic routes with ample room are big pluses. Good schwag is always loved, I'm a big fan of free food and clothes :) Medals and food after finishing, for the effort i put in are great too.

You get out of a race what you put into it. If you dont care what the scenery is or the widths of the course, your more likely to buckle down and run a fast race while all along hoping for the flattest course ever. Which is great! Running at a decent clip is always enjoyable and leaves you feeling accomplished and strong. But if your an ambler like myself, the different aspects of race organization come into play. I don't mind hills because they give me an excuse to walk without looking too weak as well as usually providing a good view from the top. Im not going to lie I also like to race my running buddies up hills, I'm kinda a little kid like that. I am also a needy runner. I need water stations, porta potties, and (depending on the length of the course) some sort of nutrition (read FOOD).If you are for the race and nothing else, then again the race organization plays less of a part on what you want from a race. But I like being a runner because of the community and am a sociable person. So expos or after parties are a big plus for me. I like wondering about meeting new people after a race, preferably with a beer in hand.

Personally my favorite races have been where ive had the mindset that I'm going to have the best race ever. Running to the best of my ability Whether i run barefoot, backwards or with as many people as possible, as long as i go into a race knowing its for fun, i will have fun. I have done all of those! Backwards running is fun because its the only time you actually get to see other runners faces unless its an out and back course.* It doesn't matter what adversity you face on the course as long as you triumph (meaning run through the pain :P ) As someone commented on our facebook page "If you can finish the race and end it still smiling it means you've enjoyed it." There are too many variants of running that I enjoy to say whether what my perfect race would be. I don't even know if i would want it be a race i have become familiar with and come to love or a new adventure to explore.

All I know is, for me, there are three concrete things that will always make it a great race day for me. 1. 70 degrees and sunny. I love the warmth and you know if the suns out, my guns are out :) 2. Knowing my abilities and enjoying the runners high and healthy aspect of running. 3. Remembering why I run, and who started me running (my mumma) which will always make me smile.

That's my perfect race, Whats yours?

*running is backwards is never advised unless you have someone looking out in front of you.

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