The Race Rant

Okay, first of all, this summer series that was supposed to motivate me has officially consumed me. I am serious. I am starting to think that I was better off as a loner who barely finished a 5K in under 35 minutes. But no, I joined a running club and *gasp* improved. Not until I started improving did I really and truly realize my competitive nature. The better I get, the better I want to be so that I can beat more people! When I finished a 5K nearly 3 weeks ago with a personal best of 25:27, my first thought was "I have to train harder" because I got outsprinted in the end. What is happening to me?! Additionally, this summer series is a competition to see who can accumulate the most race points by not just completing race, but by receiving awards while doing so. There are different points assigned for overall and for age group awards down to third place. So imagine my shock and horror upon learning that the 4 mile race I ran Saturday only gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall without distinguishing between genders (thereby insuring that no woman will ever win unless the fast men all die on course) and then only 1st place in each age group. But, like I said, I'm competitive, so I gave it a good go. I finished in 33:12- the 5th woman overall. Unfortunately, one of the 4 women in front of me was also in my 30-39 age group, so I walked away with nothing when I should have been either first or second in my age group. So instead of the 7 or 8 points I would have earned, I only got a measly 5 for completing it. See....total consumption of my being. And rather than making myself chill a little, my response is train harder, smarter. Eat better, rest better. there has to be a 12 step program or something for this!

So, I am scheduled to run a 10K this weekend. Race 8 of 10. Of course, I will do more racing and choose my 10 best, so maybe that sexist race will ultimately not count at all for anything but the experienec of a race distance I had never tried before. But I had to rant, nonetheless. It's what I do best.