390: Racing People vs. Racing the Clock

Have you ever thought about this? Do you race against the clock or against other runners? We’ve lived both sides of this as coaches, competitors, and everyday runners, and today we want to share our unique perspectives to help you find your motivation and joy on race day.

Our Racing Perspectives: Different Journeys, Different Motivations

For Kevin, who has been racing competitively since he was 14, running has always been about competing head-to-head with other runners. In cross-country, track, and beyond, placement has mattered more than the clock. Over the years, he’s refined a strategic, competitive edge—reading competitors, making decisive moves, and employing mental tactics to outlast others on race day. As he says, it’s about rising to the challenge and bringing out the best in yourself and your rivals.

My running journey, on the other hand, started much later in life, well beyond the world of high school athletics. My competitive spirit has always leaned toward self-improvement and beating my own times rather than racing people. For me, chasing personal records (PRs) has been the ultimate motivation—even if pushing to that level isn’t always my favorite feeling in the moment!

These two perspectives—clock vs. competitors—show that there’s no single way to approach racing. Your background, mindset, and goals all shape what drives you to the finish line.

Clock or Competitors: What Drives Your Race Strategy?

In our most recent 5K, the differences in our motivations became clear yet again. I was focused on running a strong race and improving on my past performances.

Kevin, on the other hand, went into full-on competition mode. While I focused inward, he scanned the field during the warm-up, noting potential rivals. Kevin pays attention to breathing patterns, form, and body language—details that influence his game plan as the race unfolds. For him, competition creates a sharper focus and greater engagement in the moment, pushing him to dig deeper and stay mentally locked in.

I've never really approached a race that way, so it was interesting to dig into his mindset around it.

 For many runners, chasing PRs is the ultimate goal… until it isn’t. Age, busy schedules, and shifting priorities can make PRs harder to come by, and constantly racing the clock can start to feel draining or discouraging. That’s where racing other people can bring a whole new energy to your running.

Friendly competition with the runners around you can reignite your motivation and give you a fresh challenge. Whether it’s a familiar face at a local race or someone you pick out mid-run, racing others is an opportunity to:

• Stay engaged and focused throughout the race.
• Challenge yourself to hold on, surge, or push just a little harder.
• Rediscover the fun in running through camaraderie and shared effort.

And let’s not forget—it’s all about perspective. Approaching competition with a positive, good-natured mindset can turn potential “rivals” into motivators and post-race friends.

Tips to Try Racing People (From Two Coaches Who’ve Been There)

If you’re used to racing the clock and want to mix things up, here are a few strategies to embrace the competition:

1. Run Familiar Local Races
   Repeat the same local events year after year, and you’ll start to recognize the same runners. These familiar faces can turn into fun, friendly rivalries that keep you motivated.

2. Race More Often
   The more you race, the more comfortable you’ll get with competition. You’ll learn how to pace against others, adapt mid-run, and recognize your strengths.

3. Choose a Random Rival
   Even if you don’t know anyone in the race, pick someone near your pace and use them as a target to push yourself. Can you beat them? Can you surge ahead in the final stretch? They don't even have to know you are racing them (unless you want to ask them, like Kevin suggested in the episode!)

4. Celebrate the Camaraderie
   Racing others isn’t about winning at all costs. After the finish, share smiles, cheers, and high-fives. A good rival can make the race more fun and help you reach new levels.

Whether you race against the clock, other people, or a mix of both, the ultimate goal is to find joy and growth in the experience.

Racing is deeply personal, but it’s also a shared journey—one that connects us to a larger community of runners. By embracing competition with a healthy mindset, we can challenge ourselves, celebrate others, and make every race more meaningful.

So the next time you toe the line, consider looking up from your watch and finding someone to race. You might just discover a new kind of motivation… and maybe even a new friend.

We’d love to hear from you! Do you prefer racing the clock, racing others, or a little of both? Share your stories with us on Instagram @realliferunners—we can’t wait to connect.

Now get out there and run your life!