A Case for Pre-Registering for Races

At about 5:45 this morning, I was really wishing I hadn't sent in my registration for the Calhoun's 10 Miler over a month ago. I wanted to get my registration in early so I could reap the benefits of the early reg discount and my Knox Track Club discount. At 5:45 this morning, I would have done anything to skip the race. I felt guilty about not being here to start the day with the family, for wasting gas and driving to the race, for knowing that I'd be tired and useless for a while after I got home, and just ultimately feeling selfish for the time and money that takes out of my family's schedule. Couple that with self doubt for not having trained enough the past two weeks, and I was questioning why I was even DOING a ten mile race. Even my previous best 10 mile time was right around an hour and fifty minutes, and that was when I had been training consistently. O, and can I say hills?
If I hadn't pre-registered, I would not have run this morning.

In the end, I had a great run. I beat my previous best 10 mile time by about 10-15 minutes (1:32:54... 50 minutes for the first 5 miles, 43 for the second 5 miles). More importantly, it was a great recharge. My longer runs are always a combination of time to think, plan, reflect, pray, and meditate. Whether you're running or drawing or writing or weaving rope out of recycled dental floss, you need something to find your center.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3