Destination race: Are you ready to run?

When you made the choice to start running, the only part you loved at the time was the cute running socks you got to wear. Those blister-free socks were the only things that felt good at the time. But you kept at it. You made a commitment to increase your mileage and decrease your time each week. Little by little you started feeling the runner’s high and noticing changes. You see that your legs are more toned, your torso is slimmer and your shoulders are slender and bronzed. Most importantly, what you achieved from all that running is endurance. Endurance to breathe up the hill, the endurance to hit the pavement when you want to hit snooze, the endurance to make it one more block, the endurance to keep going. Running has transformed your body, your mind and your spirit. It’s an invigorating feeling to accomplish healthy goals. So now that you are a runner, are you ready to race? Some people race for fun, some people race for the medal. Whatever your reason is for signing up, a race is a goal with glory at the end. It’s a commitment you are making to better yourself, and that is always a good thing. Often, the training for a race is harder than the actual race itself. You’ve already been clocking the miles in your favorite running socks so why not put a finish line in your sights?

3 reasons to sign up for a race:

1. Training for a race helps push you past your comfort zone (or plateau).
2. Signing up for a race (and even joining a running group) is great way to experience community. Everyone arrives on the start line for a purpose – to finish no matter how fast or slow.
3. Sign up for a destination race makes for a unique and healthy way to sightsee in a new city.

5 destination races to train for:

Kona Marathon “Run the Rock in Paradise” - Not only is the number one marathon in Hawaii, but it’s in HAWAII! Need we say more?! This race has moderate hills that never exceed 290 feet above sea level. The gentle climbs and drops will keep your legs going while you take in the jaw dropping beauty. For more information visit konamarathon.com Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon - This is a fast and scenic race that gives you extra motivation to finish – a glass of wine. Runners start at Cuvaison Carneros Winery and finish in historic Sonoma Plaza in front of City Hall. For more information visit destinationraces.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon – Anytime you can rock out while running is pretty epic, but then add the glitz and neon lights of Vegas and it’s a pure running party. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series offers 5k, half- and full-marathons. For more information visit runrocknroll.com/las-vegas/ Boston Marathon - This is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's best-known road racing events. It is held every year Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For more information visit here baa.org. New York City Marathon - The New York City Marathon is the largest in the world with more than 50k finishers. The course provides a tour of all five boroughs, from the start on Staten Island to the finish in Manhattan's Central Park. For more information visit tcsnycmarathon.org