To race, or not to race? Or, Duhhhhh

I've never really understood the allure of the 5K race. I know it's a popular distance, possibly because it seems doable to people, possibly because you can run it in about that 1/2 hour time that corresponds to the basic recommendation for cardio activity (hence, it makes for a tangible training goal), possibly because that distance is easier, logistically, on race organizers - I truly don't know. I've generally held that I'd probably never do one unless it practically started on my doorstep because it made no sense to me to spend more time traveling to a race than actually running it. Never mind that for years I did various horseback riding competitions, wherein it usually took me longer to BRAID my horse than to do my rides, to say nothing of the grooming, tack cleaning, trailer packing, and hauling to the show (to further say nothing of getting my own food/clothes/self organized and ready). Although, come to think of it, maybe that is part of the reason for my attytood toward shorter races - if I'm going to do a low fuss event, it truly has to be low fuss.

While at the gym the other day, I saw a flyer for a 5K race that - yep - practically starts on my doorstep, in a conservation area about two (long) blocks away. So I picked one up thinking, "Huh, well, maybe... why not? Baseline... could be fun... would give me a reason to try to put some speed to my runs... etc." So I read the entire thing, and would you believe - the entry fee was not printed ANYWHERE, not even on the entry form itself?

I eventually found the online registration site, and learned it would cost me about twice what I'm willing to pay to have someone time me doing what is essentially one of my own established running routes. I would get a t-shirt and a bagel out of the deal, but still... I suppose that is the drawback of doing a race that essentially starts on your doorstep - you've probably already done it. So I will probably pass on this one, but it did get me wondering if I do want to try to do a race this year. The only two I've seriously contemplated are the Philadelphia Marathon (November) and the Philadelphia Distance Run (September), a half marathon. The marathon would necessarily take over my training time in a way that I'm not sure would be productive given my other goals (karate, maintaining a run/strength training balance), but a half marathon? Worth thinking about. I was very much encouraged by yesterday's run, with was the farthest and fastest I've run yet. (Fast being closer to normal for me, not fast by objective standards.)



Sports: The Phils are off to a really good start, which is fantastic because the Flyers have been trying really, really hard not to make the playoffs lately, after they basically seemed to have been on course to be safely in, as of several weeks ago. Well, as of this afternoon, they may be OUT, if they lose the last game of the season. The only good thing about their situation is, if they DO get in, they won't have to play Washington in the first round, and may actually have a chance against NJ or Buffalo. Argh. I don't know what to wish for - a fast ending, so we can be put out of their misery and perhaps management will be prompted to really look for What Went Wrong (hint: start with the work ethic) - or a deep playoff run, which could be fun, short term, but will probably ultimately mean we'll have the same team, more or less, next year, a team that I think may have lived down to its potential.