Today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run with my buddies Patty and April is a fun one: How do you handle “challenge” races? How do you train for events that include more than one race? How do you survive the actual event? And how do you recover between and after?
I’ve already given my Tips for Surviving Multi-Day Race Series recently, so I’m just going to chat a bit about why you should do one. After all, they are becoming increasingly popular!
1. It’s a challenge! Duh. Most of us have an trained of a race of some sort, but often that race is a single event, a single point that we are reaching for. With a challenge, you have to figure out how to get your body to run and then get up and run again.
2. It’s fun. A challenge race is often about so much more than how fast you can do it. It’s more about joining the other crazies in doing something fun.
3. The bling. OK, I admit it. I like the extra bling you get for finishing two races at the same event or multiple races held by the same organization. Two races, three medals? Yes please.
4. Carbs, carbs, and more carbs. After all, one must refuel in between races, right?
5. Bragging rights. Yes, I know I’m shallow. What’s your point?
Have you ever done one of the “challenge” races like Goofy or the Frederick Nut Job or one of the RNR Remix races? What did you learn about yourself from it? If not, which one would you like to do?
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The closest I’ve come was my 2 halfs in May & that ain’t really close! My body is not happy if I do too much running too close together. Wait til you’re in your 50s!
I’ve done several Challenge and love them!! You are right, they are fin and the vibe is totally different running them. I also think they are a great way to bridge the gap for someone who runs halfs and is thinking about a marathon. Challenges are usually somewhere in the middle distance wise.
I really want to do a challenge race. Would love to do Dopey one day!!
I haven’t done one but I was so focused on just doing a half, then got injured. Given my injury, I don’t know if my body would allow me to do a challenge.
I’ve only done Disney challenges and have really loved every one! My favorite was the inaugural Dopey, though I don’t see myself returning to that race anytime soon. It was like a second full-time job just keeping up with training!
i love challenge races: so much fun and extra bling! Ive done all of the rundisney ones (Dopey was my favorite!) and a few local ones. I would love to do a RnR one soon
I love challenge race weekends! Plus, I think that is why I enjoy Ragnar so much. Triple the running for even more fun!
I’m afraid to hurt myself, which is why I avoid challenge races! I’m fragile, you know…
I’ve never gotten into challenge races, but I did sign up for the Ragnar Relay Colorado, coming up this August. Around 200 miles total (team of 12), 3 legs each. It will certainly be a challenge!! And yes: Carbs. (beer?)
I have never done a challenge race!! The first one I do will be the RNR Remix in Vegas, but is a 5K and a half marathon really a challenge? At this point it doesn’t really seem that it would be, but maybe I’ll be surprised!