How to Win Races

 Here are my three, sure-fire tips guaranteed to help any runner place high at races:

1. Practice, taking intentional steps to improve. For me, given my neuro concerns, this is primarily looking at ways to strengthen my form and grow in endurance. For some, the focus is on maintaining joint health. Still others pursue strategies for increasing speed. Whatever your intent, seek advice from solid sources.

2. Choose your race wisely. The distance doesn’t matter; everyone has a preferred distance. Big community events can be a lot of fun, but there's more competition. I recommend smaller races because there’s fewer people jockeying for position.

3. Get old. As people start aging out of their 30’s, the number of competitors becomes fewer and fewer. Get old enough and Age Group Winner is pretty much a guarantee. In smaller races, odds of that prize are even higher.

The above talks only about running. However, the principles of Practice – Choose Small – Get Old apply to almost any other competition. Using these proven steps, I received first place in my gender’s age group for every race I’ve run since June 2022.
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(It was three. Three races. I’ve only run in three races, all of them tiny. The tiny-ness was a huge factor in my winning success. There was no one else to beat).