Guest Post: How to win a category prize ...by Pat Walsh

 ** How to win a category prize **

Like a catchy slogan or a bit of click-bait on social media, that heading got your attention..!

How to win a prize, I have no idea.

I run because I can and I enjoy it. I look at the winners in the categories and I know how hard they work to be up there and they deserve anything they get. I’m a runner, they are athletes. I wasn’t doing times 20 hears ago that are winning my age group so it isn’t a bother to me.

I win when I can get to a start line.
I set my own realistic goals and try to achieve them.
I know where I am and what I am capable of.
I won’t / can’t put in the huge blocks of training as my time and more importantly my body won’t allow it.
If I ever won a category prize I probably would get a heart attack anyway.

Don’t get bogged down in times and what others are doing. If you are running a race then you are in the top 5% in the country for fitness for your age group anyway. Do you need more than that?

Concentrate on your enjoyment and continuous participation. 
If I get a block of training together then I raise my expectations of a decent time by my standards.
If there are hiccups or mishaps in preparation and training then I readjust the target and just do it.
Life is being happy, accepting where you are and just run.
Be grateful and thankful for your health. You are winning every day you run.

#pwr