[MVP Post] Race More, Burn Out Less

(Photo: Howie Stern. This moment at Bigfoot 200 was magical.)

I help my clients run races they’re proud of and discover they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. Usually, that’s in the form of a goal or “A” race, where they want to do everything possible to perform at their best.

However, believing that every race requires you to push yourself to complete and utter physical exhaustion isn’t necessary. In fact, this mindset can lead to burnout and rob you of your love for running.

Yes, there are A races where the goal is to run your absolute best or hit a PR. But there’s also value in giving yourself permission to run races for other reasons—whether it’s as training, to experiment with changes, or simply for the experience. Don’t let the belief that you have to all-out race every race stop you from enjoying more of them.

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Last week, two separate clients faced wanting to race a race…but not wanting to.

One was burned out and the other was worried about getting there.

Two different runners, two different races, two different race schedules, same assumption: you have to race races.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it shows up when you feel compelled to run a race as fast as you can because you have to get the best time or place as high you can…no matter what.

Because it’s a race and that’s what you’re supposed to do.

They assumed - like I used to - that you have to race every race.

But believing you have to all-out ‘race’ all your races actually limits you.

Pressuring yourself to race your all every time means you have to either limit the amount you race, or risk burnout, DNFs, and losing the love of it.

If that’s you, try on the idea that races can serve other purposes than “performance” where, as one fabulous client put it, “You don’t have to puke your guts out at the finish line.”

For example, you can use smaller races at moderate as part of your training plan for bigger overall race goals to:

• Get a key long run done in a structured, supported environment

• Get practice running in a race situation

• Try out new food, hydration and pacing strategies

You can also use races to simply:

• Get out the door and do bigger miles when it’s hard to

• Jump start motivation

• Ease back into running after a hiatus or injury

• Energize yourself by seeing a new course (change up your environment)

• Share the experience with friends and make new ones

But there’s one caution. If you’re used to racing for time or place, running a race at a more casual pace while everyone passes you, might be uncomfortable at first.

That doesn’t mean it’s wrong - that means it’s unfamiliar.

What will everyone think if you don’t race as fast as you can?

Or finish last?

It takes mental strength to stick to your game plan and run the race your way, for your reasons.

And without needing to justify it to everyone.

You have to care more about doing your own thing than you care about what other people will think about you.

It helps to remember you can’t control what they think and they’ll think whatever they want, no matter how well you do.

It also helps to know you can run a race for other purposes AND still run a fast time. You don’t have to decide between the two.

For example, you can share miles with friends, experience a new course, practice your race skills - AND run fast - when you want to, not because you have to.

So don’t let the assumption that you have to seriously race every race hold you back from running as many races as you want.