How often do you race?

Nothing. It always gets in the way of family/bedtime for kids. So I do not race, but do biweekly test-workouts, meaning I do the same workout with reps targeting a certain race time. I have done it 4 times in total now so comparing is easy and motivating.

In the long term I do plan to race though....I am also too weak...in the head....

~8ish times/year (+/-). 2-3 fall, 2-3 spring, 1-2 summer, 0-1 winter. In ~last ten years low is probably 2-3, high is probably 12-15 but that's with cross country/track races mixed in going back several years. The norm is probably somewhere in the 6-10 range. Now it is 1 bigger goal race in the spring/summer/fall with a handful of non-A races mixed in as tune-ups for me. I feel like I don't race that much & that leaves some weaker PRs when I don't race a distance very often or don't get good weather for my goal race but such is life.

I raced 20 times in 2020, 7 races were 5k or longer.

So far I have raced 12 times in 2021, 4 races have been 5k or longer.

Zero times per year.

Maybe once a year. Too busy to race. I just throw down a 5K time trial the first Saturday of each month to keep me honest.

In the past 12 months, I've run one marathon, one half marathon, two10K's and five 5Ks. But that's more than the norm, for me. In the past 25 years, there have been years I didn't race, or even run, at all. It all depends on how much free time I have, in relation to work, family and social stuff. Usually, running loses the battle for my time, but this past 12 months I've had more time for it.

Does parkrun count?

If so, a lot.

Other than parkrun, probably 6 - 8 times a year.

About 5 times a year?

I always mean to do more and will eyeball some races but then I think of the money and the extra time prepping and driving to the race which I should be spending with my family... then I always wind up not doing them... it's so much easier to just run from the house.

Racing is a lot of fun though and as long as you can train through them they shouldn't hinder and may even benefit overall fitness.

Maybe when my kids get older I'll race more.

I last raced in 2002.

No need to race anymore as I'm "retired" from competition. I still run although at a lot less miles than before.

Through my 40s and 50s I typically raced an average of about once a month, usually 3-5 half-marathons and the others distributed among 5K, 5 mile, and 10K. All road races--no track, no trail runs. I once raced half-marathons on consecutive weekends and both races went pretty well, but I don't recommend that. I have never raced on consecutive days even if they were both 5Ks.

On average in a year

7 races from 5k to HM (It's a race series)

2-3 ultraraces

Once or twice a year. If I had a parkrun near me, I'd go every week.

But smalls towns like Los Angeles wouldn't draw enough, apparently, to make it worthwhile.

Probably yes wrote:

About 5 times a year?

I always mean to do more and will eyeball some races but then I think of the money and the extra time prepping and driving to the race which I should be spending with my family... then I always wind up not doing them... it's so much easier to just run from the house.

Racing is a lot of fun though and as long as you can train through them they shouldn't hinder and may even benefit overall fitness.

Maybe when my kids get older I'll race more.

No, you won't, because you'll be older, too.