Is the training worth it post-college?

Look at it another way. You can be the person to start an organized training group in your area and instantly become the competitive authority in the region. People will find you.

This could be a good opportunity to reconnect with running. I train alone 99% of the time and I wouldn't want it any other way. Could you thrive on that? Maybe...maybe not?

im in the same predicament. although i havent returned to my glory times, i could get there quickly and beat everyone.

not fun.

What city is this? Surely there are some prize money races that draw out SOME competition?

classic confrontation between running to race and running for its own sake.

There's no answer because it is up to the individual...but you're going to have to figure out if you have run all these years because you love running or because you like being on a team and competing.

If it is the team you like, you will probably have more fun joining an urban professional basketball, softball or ultimate team.

tyui wrote:

classic confrontation between running to race and running for its own sake.

There's no answer because it is up to the individual...but you're going to have to figure out if you have run all these years because you love running or because you like being on a team and competing.

If it is the team you like, you will probably have more fun joining an urban professional basketball, softball or ultimate team.

What he said. Running after college is different than running in college. I can't imagine life without it but not everyone is the same. If you have the drive to be as good as you can you'll find ways to make that happen. If winning a pile of local races isn't motivating and travel to tougher races doesn't appeal you'll likely drift away. Once you're away you may miss it and come back. Or not.

I think this is why a lot of sub-elite post-college guys move up to the marathon after graduating. I'm sure your city probably hosts a fairly large marathon & 1/2 each year that would bring in some good competition. My local marathon is consistently won in 2:15-2:20. If you're training for one or two big races each year, the ease of the smaller races will be perceived as okay, as they'd be "tune-ups".

If this doesn't float your rocket ship, you could a) travel for a few important race weeks each year or b) make a decision between running for yourself or not running at all.

Either out come is virtuous, if you ask me. It seems like a waste to just let good fitness wither away, but yah gotta quit sometime, and if you're heart's not in it, you've no responsibility to continue.

It's better to burn out....than to fade away...

When I look at road race results around here (and it is a big metro area with over 2 million people), most races are won with times in the 17 or 18 minutes (yes, this is for guys). Some of these are for prize money. A race with a $100 grand prize was won with an 18:30 last week.

The last few road races I have done went like this:

1st place - me in 16:30

2nd place - schmuck in 17:45

1st place - me in 16:10

2nd place - schmuck in 19:30

1st place - fast guy in 15:38

2nd place - me in 15:42

3rd place - schmuck in 18:50

You can find good races if you look hard enough.

Everyone makes their own decisions in life about how to expend their resources. The bottom line is, in the context of the large city in which you compete, you are the best! Respect the race, respect the people who ARE there competing and enjoy your moment while it lasts!

Just a guess, is your first name Jason?

Joseph Heller wrote:

When I look at road race results around here (and it is a big metro area with over 2 million people), most races are won with times in the 17 or 18 minutes (yes, this is for guys). Some of these are for prize money. A race with a $100 grand prize was won with an 18:30 last week.

The last few road races I have done went like this:

1st place - me in 16:30

2nd place - schmuck in 17:45

1st place - me in 16:10

2nd place - schmuck in 19:30

1st place - fast guy in 15:38

2nd place - me in 15:42

3rd place - schmuck in 18:50

You can find good races if you look hard enough.

Yeah, man, I live in an area about the size of the one OP lives in (actually probably smaller). There are plenty of races that get won in 17-18 minutes, but there are also several every year where several guys go in the 14-15 minute or 29-30 minute range. You just have to know where to look. If you are looking for a big PR you could always go with a collegiate all-comers meet. I ran in one last spring, there were probably fifty guys that ran under 16 minutes and about 5-10 under 15.

Where do you live anyway? I'll bet somebody on here could clue you in to some big races.

Who care what most races are won in. Focus on the dozen big ones. And hell it is only a couple hundred bucks to drive for 4 hours, rent a hotel room and race. You can do that a couple times a year.

Road running sucks because you have to travel to find competition. This is OK if you're a marathoner since you're probably only running 2-4 marathons per year, or if you're a good enough athlete to get travel paid for or reimbursed.

The better option is to stick to the track. Unattached athletes can often run in college meets (especially invitationals), and there are also good open meets depending where you live. If you run the 800 through 5k you're golden, there will be tons of races. The 10,000 not so much.

As a post-collegiate I've lived in the SF Bay Area and now New England and there is no shortage of racing opportunities against guys who are faster (and younger!) than me.

And OP, you really need to tell us where you live. Just name the city, it's not like that will blow your anonymity.

Pick a handful of "goal races" that you want to run each year, use your local races as tune up efforts. You can almost certainly find good, quality, races within a 4 hour drive if you don't want to pay for a plane ticket. I know I can, and my situation is similar to yours (though we just have an NBA team in my city, no NFL or MLB).

Most runners, by nature, are fairly self-motivated...not all, but most. You've just got to find something that keeps you motivated to train. I've been out of school now for a year and a half, and more and more, I'm finding that running keeps me from driving my self insane. Not to mention it certainly helps with the stresses of work.

I don't know where you live, but in the SF Bay Area if you run the USATF-PA road series you will have PLENTY of competition. There will be 20-30 guys under 16minutes at a USATF 5K and a few under 15 minutes.

100 Grand????? Were the fu#$ is that race????? I'm running it every year for the rest of my life!

I know this is an old thread, but I'm going to respond to a bunch of posts all at once. Beforehand, do appreciate everyone's feedback.Also again, I do not mean to come off as some arrogant runner who belittles all those beneath me. I couldn't qualify for nationals in cross country or track as an individual in D3-- I'm well aware I'm not that good of a runner.

The concept is great, the problem is that there's no one in the area to drive such a group. There are several running groups in the area/region already, but they are geared more toward folks seeking personal satisfaction rather than personal records. The runners in the area that are 14/15/low 16 min 5k guys are still in college. I get to train with them when they're home on a break, but it's more so general running than actual training.

I love running, no question about it. I know I'm not the best, I know people that are better, and that's what pushes me to want to be better. Likewise, most of my training is done alone. I can't thrive on it though. I need someone with me feeling what I'm feeling, and pushing me to work harder. When I'm alone, I know it, and that means who cares if I wuss out of those intervals?

Again, love running. I just do love running (when convenient). I don't need a group, or a team even to be training with. All I need is one other person to be doing it and going through the motions with me. I love training to become better but I just have a limit where I tell myself "dammit, this is starting to hurt" and I don't want to push myself. Now if you put someone next to me who is at the same level, or even a step above me-- I'll run til my legs can't turn over anymore. It's not about the team aspect, or having encouragement, as much as it is a sole body also pushing me to stay with or catch up to them.

This is where I begin to make excuses and become a complainer. This is exactly what I have been doing since graduating. I'll do a couple local races as "tune-ups", win by a lot, and not feel like a dork because I'm only using them to get ready for something bigger. Then train for some major race.

I shifted to the major/big race solely to find more competition. What I find irritating though is that I'm standing on the line next to a bunch of guys who are all running teams/clubs/what-have-you. It's frustrating to look around you and see all these people hanging out with friends and training partners that pushed them to be prepared as best they can be for the race, and I'm standing there alone not knowing a sole and knowing that I'm probably not as well-trained due to not having the resources and partners the other runners have. The big races to have good competition are nice, but I feel like I'm at an unfair advantage from the beginning. Not an excuse, maybe someone here can relate and understand what I mean?

...

I'm too lazy to go through post by post so I guess my big point is:

-I love running, I don't want to stop, period.

-I hate that I win local races by large amounts and feel like a douche showing off, yet, I'm not even that fast

-I love training, but I can't stand to do the workouts/hard stuff by myself

-I want to run big races or out of area competition races but grow frustrated when I'm the only one without a private coach or with a team of runners and know that I'm a leg behind simply because I can't push quite as hard as they can while I train alone

I guess there isn't even a question wrapped up in all that rambling. Running will always be a part of me, and I still want to continue to PR; but the obvious fact that I'm starting to lose the ability to improve anymore due to the absence of competition/rivalry/whatever you want to call it, is disappointing.

Don't know if there is a solution, but curious to how those dealt with similar situations.

no it's not. please quit so i dont have to worry about beating you. (just kidding) it's so worth it. considering most distance runners peak in early 30s, why give up the sport at age 18 or age 22?