Reflections on Racing
What Is It About Racing That I Enjoy?
Are you questioning your sanity as you eat yet another bowl of pasta, reduce your mileage severly that you start to believe you won’t even be able to run a bath nevermind a race, and then promptly burst into tears yet again for no particular reason? Welcome to race week.
But here’s the thing - despite all the nerves, the rituals, and the rollercoaster of emotions, I love racing. And here’s why.
The Mystery of Race Day
Races are unpredictable. You can arrive with the best plan, a solid training block, and the most positive mindset… and still watch the day unravel like a spool of thread.
Sometimes that plot twist brings a magical surprise — a PB, your strongest finish yet. Other times, it knocks you flat. The joy of racing lies in not knowing which it will be. With every curveball, you gain resilience, and with resilience, you get stronger.
What You Can and Can’t Control
I’ve learned to accept that you can only control so much. Sleep, nerves, weather, snapped shoelaces, discarded bottles, fellow runners — the list of variables is endless.
But you can control your preparation, your mindset, and how you respond. Racing is rarely about who is fittest; it’s about who runs the smartest.
Confidence vs Competence
Being a “confidently competent” runner means finding the sweet spot between:
Confidence → trusting your training and backing yourself.
Competence → knowing when to hold back, fuel properly, and pace smartly.
I’ve swung too far both ways:
Paris Marathon 2014 → Brimming with confidence, but lacking competence. I trained well but didn’t know how to fuel. I believed a couple of wines and a bottle of diluted Lucozade would see me through. At 40km, my body said NO MORE.
MK Half Marathon 2016 → Full of competence but low on confidence. I had a fuelling plan nailed, but doubted myself on the start line. I set off too fast and paid the price after 5k, slogging through 10 miles of suffering.
Both taught me lessons.
Racing With Your Head or Your Heart?
Do you run with your head — cautious, calculated, saving energy for a strong finish?
Or with your heart — all in, seeing what you’ve got, hanging on with sheer grit?
The truth is: the best runners learn to do both. Balance the analytical and the emotional, accept the unknowns, and trust that you’ll learn something valuable every time you toe the line.
Racing is about more than times or medals. It’s about resilience, discovery, and the courage to put yourself out there knowing you can’t control everything.
Be confidently competent. Trust your training, embrace the mystery, and run your own race.