If you poked me right now, excess pumpkin pie may come splurging out of my eyeballs.
I can’t believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone, as well as my own tradition of running the Scheel’s Turkey Trot in Sparks, Nevada every year. If you do something by yourself every year does that make it a tradition or just a habit? Whatever it is, it’s something I do every year.
This year, Chicken Face hadn’t made it into town yet and I thought I had suckered my little sister to join me in the frigid, 6+ mile fun run. What started as a “yes,” slowly turned into a “maybe,” then a “I’ll cheer you on,” and then finally into a groggy “Do I really need to go?” Thus, I ventured out on my own and can I just say that there is really something strange about racing literally all by yourself.
I arrived early enough to stand in a ginormous port-a-potty line, curse at my Garmin for literally shutting down on its own and make shivering small talk with the fellow line standers (that may or may not be a made-up word). I soon found my way up to the starting line and wouldn’t ya know it, I was off.
The higher elevation made my lungs burn a bit and I longed for the oxygen-laden air of California. When I finally came to and remembered that the course that went around the Sparks Marina is no more and instead we were running around industrial warehouses and a shopping center, the allure of the Turkey Trot was over. Le sigh.
I still was pretty happy with the results: 42:01 minutes, 6th female overall and 2nd in my age group – score! But it was the strangest thing: I arrived, I peed, I ran, I finished and then I just left. Usually I stay and cheer on friends, family, bloggers (well, I did see Turi!), or strangers I’ve met on Twitter, but given that I was all alone, something was just off and I just went home (to be fair, I went to Starbucks then the grocery store for more Turkey Day supplies). But it made me realize just how much I like racing with other people, and even more, just how thankful I am for this running community.
Racing is so much more than logging the miles, earning that PR, or burning calories. To me, it’s the experience with people that I love and the people that share the same crazy passion that I do. We may obsessively sputter our splits, ramble on about racing, or gab for hours about GI issues. But as crazy, gross, or socially ostracizing as it may be, it’s my little community and I love being a part of it. We cheer each other on, we motivate when we’ve lost our mojo, and most of all, it’s good fun with good people.
Tell me, have you ever raced completely alone? Do you prefer racing with friends?
I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving… Happy Running!
I can TOTALLY understand. I felt like the first 2839710 races I did were on my own, and while I still was enjoying watching my progress, it wasn’t until I knew a handful of people at races out here that I truly became addicted. Sometimes I think our weekend fun runs together are more fun than races, simply because of the company. <3
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I’ve run several races “alone” and the LA Marathon was the weirdest. Drove there, parked, ran, felt amazed by a PR at the time. took a picture.. and um got my car, drove back to my cousins, answered questions about my “race – aka how was your run this morning? RUN?!?” ….. Funny. Its a different experience and a bit weird, but in its own way made me feel more like a RUNNER. You know, cuz I ran because I love to run, not because of all the other things that make it an event. 🙂
Love this post! Congrats on a good race even if it was all by yourself!! Way to concur!
Way to go on finishing 6th overall female! That’s awesome!
I don’t think I ever have raced alone. I don’t know if I’d make it through!
I have done this. I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon in March of this year in 1:57 (I thought I’d finish in 2:11) and I almost burst into tears because I just wanted to share it with someone. To be honest I don’t know if I’d be as into running as I am now if I hadn’t met so many amazing runners in the area. Running is a great solo escape sometimes, but I do think the community is what makes it special.
i’ve raced alone many times and i agree with you, it’s kind of a weird feeling to go, run, then just go home. totally agree with your attitude on racing. while i obviously enjoy running for the sake of running, i don’t think it would be quite as fun without races!
I did my first race ever by myself. It was the Women’s Running Magazine 5K in early November in Tempe, AZ. I decided it would be a good idea to try a few smaller races before I do my first half-marathon in January. It was kind of lonely…I walked around like a lost puppy, then decided to get my time and go home. It’s ok, though, because I had three friends do the Mesa Turkey Trot with me on Thanksgiving Day, so I wasn’t alone then :-). I can say, though, I did reallllly enjoy the nice warm bath I took after the 5K, because it was like 40 degrees that morning! (It was my first post-race warm bath:-) ) Even if you run alone, at least you have something to look forward to afterwards!
I think I would feel a little odd being at a race all by myself! Come to think of it, that has never happened! GOod for you getting it done! Congrats on the smokin’ time!!
I did one of my first 5ks by myself…there was a couple standing near me at the start line and the girl turned to her bf and said “man wouldn’t it suck to be doing this by yourself, that would be so awkward…” yep…I ended up getting first in my age group but didn’t even stay around to find that out so I missed out on some awesome prize im sure! I definitely appreciate having my running friends with me at races now, it really does make the whole experience so much more fun and memorable…congrats on your tgiving race!!
I raced alone on Thanksgiving as well. I’ve actually done it quite a bit. Never for a marathon, but I’ve done plenty of halfs and a couple of 30Ks by myself. Not really a big deal, I love people watching! 🙂
I have raced all alone, but only once. I did a 5K close to home last summer. It was a small race, so I thought I might have a chance placing in my AG, so I stuck around post-race. By myself. Kind of awkward. I did win my AG though and got a little medal. But now I’m starting to make more local running friends (through the local running store and online) so hopefully I will always know someone at a race.
Now that I think back on it, I don’t think I’ve ever raced where I didn’t know at least one other person, spectator or athlete. I can imagine it’s kind of anti-climactic to just finish and have no reason to hang around or talk to anyone…
Congratulations on an awesome race, rock star.
And you like racing with people? How about 44,000 of ’em? And how about if I’m one of them? SEE YOU SOON!
Dead Garmin, ahhhhhhh!!!! I hate when that happens, I love my Garmy!
I race alone a lot. When I first started runnng races none of my friends did so I just went by myself. I eventually made friends at the races and now I say hi and chat with them but I still go to races by myself.
I have only done a few races, but I think I’d be okay going it alone if it’s local. If its an away race I’d definitely want some company.
I ran the Chicago Marathon alone. My mom dropped me off several hours before the race start, I waited around in 29-degree temperatures, ran it solo, then took a train out of the city. I chatted beforehand with people, so that was fine, and I rarely run WITH friends during the actual race. But it was the post-race part where I really wanted a friendly face.
Congrats on the AG placement!
Nice race! I’ve definitely done a mix of racing with friends and racing alone. Sometimes being alone is nice when you want to really focus on your effort in a race. Putting in my earphones before we go off and just focusing on what I want to do can be really helpful. On the other hand, there’s nothing more fun than seeing everyone at races and having buddies before during and after the race. It’s so nice to be able to share the race with people who are as into it as you are! So I’ve definitely done both. I’ve never not registered for a race I wanted to run just because I couldn’t talk someone into joining me
i raced alone for my first couple years of racing until i met our amazing bay area running friends! races are so much more exciting for me now!
Whoa, running alone wiped out your memory of the race too! You were off, and then 42:00 later you were done! Kidding, I think I am just used to the detailed, mile-by-mile play-by-plays of most race recaps in the blogworld.
I am saddened at the idea of running a race without Jonathan’s support. It’s wierd how much just knowing he will be near the finish line helps. However, I’ve never actually raced side-by-side with a friend. And my very first marathon, in Los Angeles, I was a fragile little 21 year old that had a TAXI drop me off and drive me home because I literally had no one…I think I had two non-runner friends who I had even told I was running it, that was it. It was depressing to see all the flowers and hugs at the finish line, as I walked away to hail a taxi.
I’m relatively new to running (started in June!) and even newer to races (my first 5k was this past October – I’ve done three 5ks, one 8k and a five mile race so far!) and I’ve done three out of my first five races alone. Looking back, the ones I had the most fun at were definitely the two I ran with people – I love having someone/people to hang out with while waiting for the race to start and I love having people to cheer me on (and to cheer on myself) at the finish line. (And most of all, I love going to post-race BRUNCH with people!) The races I’ve done alone…I’ve just sort of milled around a little after finishing the race (and getting my water/snacks and stretching) and then thought, “huh…guess I’m going home now.” And that kind of blows a little.
But as for the time I actually spend running…I still haven’t decided if I like running alone or with people more.
Wow, that was all sorts of rambly!