I loved the previous review left for this book, specifically the anecdotes the reviewer shared about a race that allowed her to run in a limited-number small group along a scenic waterway. Over the past eight years, in fits and starts, I’ve become an avid runner. I am slow and I purposely try to lose my mind in the act of running and by just moving my body in a way that feels good. This is tough for me because I am extremely competitive. But I’m trying to find ways to keep doing it for the peace and relaxation it brings me. I don’t have a PR. It is more of a binary situation: did I run this week? Yes or No?
I discovered there was more pleasure to be had during the act of running after reading an article about the Slow AF Run Club, founded by Martinus Evans. Now, when I run, I ask myself, “Is this my sexy pace?” Per the NYT article: “Evans recommends people run 70% to 80% of the time at what he calls “sexy pace” — “the pace you’d go if you were running in slow motion on a beach,” Baywatch style — or what most other coaches call a conversational speed.”
Signing up for a 10k race is a great motivator for me to train on a more regular basis. I don’t think I’ll ever run a marathon and I don’t really want to. However, I do enjoy dreaming about running a 10k or perhaps even a half-marathon someday in a place with nice weather, relatively flat terrain, and gorgeous scenery. And, most importantly, while running at my own pace.
This book didn’t introduce me to any races that I plan to run. It did, however, inspire me to dig around online until I found a few lists of short-to-medium distance races in scenic areas in my part of the world. I’m still searching for the “perfect” race. I may never find it, as my criteria change based on my levels of fitness and motivation. This book provided me with a short list of important criteria to consider if I ever decide to run a destination race.
Are there any races you recommend? If so, which ones and why?