On Running Race

Who would wake up at 3 am on Saturday or Sunday? That's perhaps one of the dumbest things to do. Well, that's the path I am choosing lately. At least once a month, there's one weekend in which I have to wake up super early. The rest, I have to wake up at least at 5 am sharp on weekend. All those early morning alarms are for one purpose: RUNNING.  

Since I got into running (last December 2014), I have been routinely running outdoor. I have tried using treadmill before, but I don't think my joints and muscles are wired for treadmill. Well, errr my mind actually, I feel bored easily on treadmill. I run regularly twice or three times a week for almost one year now. And I religiously carry my running shoes in every city I visit, thus I have no reason not to run (yeah I create my own running trap). And it slowly becomes a habit. I feel anxious sometimes when I do not hit the road for three consecutive days. I still can't figure out what makes this sport so addictive that it left me with guilty feeling when I don't run for a couple of days. Am I a running addict?.

I sometimes have to wake up at 3 am for the sake of running races. The races I joined usually started at 5 am, and they are mostly located quite away from my place. Thus, I have to wake up early, commute to the race venue no later than 3.30 am if I want to race on time with the other fellow runners. Yeah, I paid a high amount for this race, wake up so early, then sweat myself  until my body soaked in sweat. Such a sacrifice for the so-called running race. I wouldn't have done that years ago even if someone offered me a free BIB, 

So, what do I get from these races?

Prizes?  Definitely not, I do not fall under those who could run a kilometer in 4 minutes or less, the pace a runner should have to win a race.  

Fame? How can I be famous if I am just a guy with average running pace.
Muscle pain and sprained ankle? Yeah, injuries are sportmen's bestfriend. 

Friends? Yes, I got a lot of friends now who share the same passion with me. We love running and that's how we are connected. Running is a language that we share. 

It is still hard to explain what do I get from those races. It comes down to a conclusion: running a race give me a sense of accomplishment. It felt amazing to be able to finish a race. Finisher medal is a bonus. What matter for me is I finished what I started, and that's enough.