22: My official 1-year race-run-niversary


Today is my 1-year race-run-niversary. One year ago, I ran my first official race, the 10k at the Berkeley Half-Marathon Event,  with my friend Susi. Like I said (many times) before, I never thought I’d be the person that would sign up for a race, but on a whim, I committed to an new experience.
To be honest, what I thought would happen is that I would feel smug and accomplished for a week, and then move on.

Yeah, that didn’t quite happen, the moving on part.

I knew instantly that I wanted to keep running races. I might not be as hardcore as some of my running friends (who have one or many races lined up every month – or so it seems), but I knew that I wanted to keep challenging myself. And I always, always do better with some sort of goal that I am working towards and races are just the perfect ‘excuse’ to keep up the work.

Earlier this year, I signed up for my first half-marathon (which was in July) and also ran two more local 10k races. I also participated in 3 virtual races (one 5k, two 10ks) this summer. One was in honor of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service and if that wasn’t a good enough reason to run, I also received a pretty cool t-shirt and medal for that.

While I only ran a total of 6 races this year, I know I already have decided that this is something I want to keep up and I am looking forward to more race experiences in the future.

Here are 5 things thatI learned since my first official race:

  1. I enjoy having a set training schedule, which makes it easier for me to stick to a regular exercise routine. Win-win.
  2. I am getting more out of my gym membership again. Hallelujah.
  3. Drinking more water has become so much easier.
  4. I know from first-hand experience what it means to be ‘hangry’. Haha. 
  5. I started liking early morning workouts. Who knew? (NOT me!)

I know, I know, when I look at my more experienced (and accomplished) running friends, I am just a greenhorn starting out with the races and all, but I’ve really come to love the running community and all the new blogs (and amazing people behind them) that I found in the process. As you might know, I also started an Instagram account dedicated to running (@san_runs_in_ca) (as to not annoy my regular Instagram followers with all the running stuff all the time), and I found an amazing community there, too. I love how encouraging and positive all the other runners are and how everyone’s journey is validated and cheered on.

On a side note: I always knew that people who exercise are welcoming and positive people. When I first started out in college, I picked geography and English as my two majors, and two semesters later quickly added Physical Education to my studies, because I knew that I wouldn’t just love the physical component of it, but also the camaraderie and inclusiveness among the sport students + instructors — and I was totally right about that. I have the best memories of that time. If you enjoy – and participate in – any type of physical activity, you know what I mean.

Hey, and if you run and haven’t participated in a race, what’s holding you back?

I am linking up with Erika, Patty and Marcia  for Tuesdays on the Run this week again.

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  1. Yay for your bloganniversary! Many happy more miles and blog posts! Running/fitness blogs are always fun and supportive with one another.

  2. Happy race-iverary! It seems like you’ve been racing for much longer than a year! I’m glad that you have come to love running so much. It really is such a great sport and I’ve met so many great people through running. Training for races is so motivating as it puts some purpose behind your workouts and you know you’ll pay for it if you aren’t properly trained come race day. I hope that I can get back to racing in 2017 but right now it seems like that’s still a ways off as running still doesn’t feel ‘great’ yet. :/

    1. Thank you and I really hope that you can get back to more running again in 2017. I know how hard this year has been for you… fingers crossed!

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