Thoughts On Choosing Race Goals
For those who like racing, finding a distance that you like can be exhilarating—whatever the event, racing well is a great feeling. But it can also lead to developing a comfort zone that it can be difficult to get out of! If you find yourself in that spot, here are two important reasons why it can be good to introduce some variety into your racing diet.
The biggest risk of racing the same distance over and over is mental burnout. If you run four 5K races in a year and no other distances, not only will you only race 5Ks, but you will only do 5K-specific training (with the exception of base-phase easy running). Part of the fun of racing different distances is race day itself, but another is getting to do different sorts of preparation—faster, interval-heavy 5K training is very different from long run–oriented half or full marathon training, for instance. Switching up your race goals not only provides variety on race day, but on many of the days in between as well.
Speaking of different types of workouts, getting varied training stimuli can help you become a stronger but (more importantly) well-rounded runner; and often, a well-rounded runner is a strong runner. As Steve Magness says, there are no magic training intensities: your training should include a little bit of everything. This is why periodization is so important, and how you can use it to your benefit. For some runners, the best way to get faster at the marathon is to run fewer marathons and spend some time focusing on shorter races for speed development and higher-intensity aerobic work. (Leadville 100 Mile course record holder David Roche has said that his success at the 100-mile distance was a result of being in the best 1 mile and 5K shape of his life). And inversely, if you find yourself stuck running the same 5K times over and over, the increased volume required to train for a 10K or half marathon might be just the thing you need.
As you think about your race calendar, consider taking a leap on a distance that you haven’t tried before (responsibly, of course)! It could help you stay mentally engaged and make you a more well-rounded runner down the road.