Choosing the right race for you

I have worked out consistently since 7th grade. That means I have worked out on a consistent basis since 2009, or 15 years straight.

If God continues to bless me with good health, I plan on working out consistently for the rest of my life. I cannot imagine any reason I would not continue on this path.

Keeping myself motivated has not always been easy, and the way I workout has changed throughout the years. But I believe I have created a habit that is so ingrained into my person that it has become inseparable from who I identify myself as being.

In this article, I hope to communicate why you should pursue movement as a lifestyle, how to get and stay motivated, and how to choose your first race.

Why pursue movement

There are so many health reasons to why movement is good for you. It is good for your skeletal system, your muscular system, your cardiovascular system, your brain health, heart health, your emotional and mental health. There is no part of your person that is not benefitted from taking part in movement on a consistent basis.

It doesn’t have to be much. Even walking produces huge benefits for your health.

But beyond walking, I think every person should incorporate some type of strength/resistance training. Getting a pair of dumbbells, some resistance band, and/or plyometric equipment. This gives you a more intense cohort of benefits.

Beyond the benefits, I believe taking care of your body is deeply biblical. God tells us that our body is a temple that houses the Holy Spirit. Our aim should be to make that temple healthy outside and inside.

How to get and stay motivated

The truth is, knowledge of health benefits and even biblical truths fail to motivate a body that is used to remaining stationary. The great truth of physics seems to be at play in our own body as well, that and object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion. Once you get your body moving, it is easier to keep the momentum, but getting started is the hardest part.

I think that there is only one real way to get and stay motivated, and that is to sign up for a competition with a friend.

Your friend doesn’t have to run with you, but it’d be great if they did. But even if they aren’t going to run with you, at least invite them to be there on race day to support you. Having a supporter during your race is such an encouragement when you are pushing yourself in a new adventure. It keeps you accountable to training and finishing the race.

Picking a race is also important for your training. It gives you a time frame for your training and forces you to select workouts that will help your body complete a specific goal. For example, if you choose a workout three months out, you are able to develop a plan for the weeks that follow to build up your ability to complete the race.

Choosing your first race

So, how do you go about choosing your first race?

There are plenty of websites to find races in your area, like the one I use and will link here. https://www.runningintheusa.com/classic/list/map/marathon/upcoming

There are races for all types of interests. Bike races, swim races, triathlons, trail races, road races, races where you lift weights and run, obstacle course races, and even rock climbing races.

To decipher which is best for you, take account the things you love doing, what will inspire you to train, and begin looking for a race like that. Chances are there will be a race for the niche thing you love to do.

I always recommend signing up for a 5k. I think this is a great walking distance, but also is challenging enough for even advanced runners. Plus, local 5k’s have great benefits for you and the community. It allows you to see the place you are running in with a different pair of eyes. And the money you pay for signing up typically goes towards a local charity. It’s a win-win. A 5k is an easy way to get used to a healthy racing community atmosphere.

Ultimately, it is less about what race you choose and just choosing to do any race at all. Just signing up is a big win. It means you have decided a different direction for your life. One in which you will take responsibility for your body and your health. You are choosing a life of movement rather than stagnation, and that story of movement will begin to bleed into all other areas of your life.

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It would help me a lot. Thanks for reading! 

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