How many races, runs, or rides do you have planned for 2010?

Reason to Race

By: Jason Zamora

Racing is a great way to set goals and keep you motivated to train harder. Not only will you improve performance but you will probably shed some body fat and tone those muscles in the process. I always say that if it weren't for my racing season, I would probably get bored and slowly let myself get soft and slow without realizing that its happening.

Some of you may not know this but I am a personal trainer. Everyday I go to work and see different people with all kinds of body types grinding away to try and get that dream body. They all have the dream, but no real plan and lack the proper motivation. I also notice that quite a few of the "trainers" probably haven't put in a solid week of workouts in years. Sure going to the gym almost everyday and spending countless hours around weights and equipment can burn anyone out. I owe my motivation and progress to my racing. Without it I would probably get out of the gym right after my last client of the day and after a month or two of that, its soft, slow, weak Jason. I don't think so..

I love winning races. I take pride in knowing that I can go out and do something that most cannot and I do it better and faster. Its what gets my adrenaline pumping and makes me feel alive. Maybe you don't like to compete? Maybe the pressure is too much and you just like to have fun. Did you know that the majority of races, fun runs, and cycling rides or tours raise money for charities?

There are several reasons to sign up for an event this year. Here are three:

1. Challenge yourself. By signing up for an event you will find new motivation to workout and push yourself.

2. Get in better shape. Training for a race will give you a specific goal to focus your training on. Instead of "doing cardio" today, you will set out to run 3 miles in under 24 minutes! This mindset and purposeful training will get you into better shape without a doubt.

3. Support a charity. Your training and hard effort will benefit you and others when you pay a small fee to sign up. You get a shirt, (depending on event it might even be a nice tech-shirt or a long sleeve), a goodie bag, and your sign up fees go toward helping local racing organizations as well as many wonderful charities to help those less fortunate than yourself. After winning the State Championship for Clydesdales in 2009, the race organizer handed over a check to the local chapter of CASA. Everyone who raced that day got to help abused and neglected children. That felt so awesome!

So you are already online. Go look up some runs, triathlons, duathlons, or cycling events and sign up and commit to a better body all while helping your community today!

Tags: Jason, Reason, Zamora, by, race, to

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve on February 16, 2010 at 6:57am

I've already done the Houston Half this year. May be my only distance race this year (other than random 5 and 10Ks), but I really need to get back into the habit of running two or three 3 mile runs a week!!

Permalink Reply by Jason Zamora on February 16, 2010 at 3:23pm

Exactly why you should pick a new race and start training!

Permalink Reply by Dennis on February 17, 2010 at 4:01am

I have my Pump & Run "spring" season mapped out. All of my weight lifting & running is targeted specifically for maximum bench press performance and that elusive 19:00 minute 5K. Once summer arrives, I'll do local 5K, 10K & Sprint Tri's keeping active for the "fall" Pump & Run season. I was knocking on the door all of last year for an overall win. This year, I'm going to take care of that goal early on!

Permalink Reply by Jason Zamora on February 18, 2010 at 11:37am

How much time do you get between pressing and running?

Permalink Reply by Dennis on February 19, 2010 at 4:51am

Can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 1 1/2 hours. Just depends on how organized the event is & number of participants. I've never felt that the pressing impacted my 5K in bad way.

Permalink Reply by Jason Zamora on February 19, 2010 at 4:10pm

30 minutes would be awesome break during a race, my transitions are more like 30 seconds! Ive got to try one of those events.

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