1. Physical Challenge
2. Races allow me to focus my training.
3. I like following a training program.
4. Racing is an amazing feeling.
5. The sense of accomplishment when meeting a goal.
6. The refocus that comes from not meeting a goal.
7. I enjoy the atmosphere at races.
8. For the long ones, crossing the finish line.

proximity and price

also being on a saturday is a biggie for me because I don't like to miss church

If triathlon is a journey, then races are the signposts. I like to know where I am, and I like to have goals to focus my training. Also, my wife is a pure runner, so road-races are typically a "couples" event for us.

When I wasn't signed up for races, I'd "train" about 3 days a week for one week, then take 2 weeks off. To use DannoE's analogy, if triathlon is a journey, then races are the gas stations. Without them, I'm out of fuel and sitting still.

to have something to train for...otherwise, I just seem obsessive ;)
Have you seen the pics of people riding bikes and the bikes are photoshopped out of the pics? They just look silly. That's how I feel without a race to train for. Even if the race is 6 months away. It's something. plus, I love the atmosphere at races. I would do them twice a month if I could afford it, but alas...this year it's like every 6 weeks or so. I'll take what I can get.

Love the energy at the start of the race, right before the buzz, standing with everyone, waiting....
And then crossing the finish line and putting a check mark in my spreadsheet, that this race is done.

To keep myself focused on a goal and to test myself.

Atmoshpere!!!

You can do all those distances alone, wherever and whenever you want but being surrounded by like minded people, you cant beat that!

Maks

Because they look fun and exciting, and it's great to see all the faces and hear stories that others have to share :)

9. mental challenge
10. FRIENDSHIP

i love the adrenaline rush that comes with day in and day out training (getting to the top of a hill, finishing that last mile repeat etc...) but nothing NOTHING compares to race day.

Finding out what I am capable of, which is always more than I thought. I love the surprise. Plus you can't beat the feeling of finishing a race. I feel high for days.

prior to tris, i would work out for a month and then get sidetracked and somehow lose a month or even two

with races, i have something to keep me focused and there's always room for improvement

i choose races based on interesting location, cost of the whole trip, and whether other folks i know will be racing it too...that's kept me pretty local so far but it works for me

+1 to Tri-ac, but I would also like to add that since I am the type that constantly has to be busy, but does not like doing the same thing all the time...It fits my mentality.

Also, just going to throw this out there, I'm vain, so I like to look good. Training keeps the weight in check and the muscles active.

Specific events I usually choose because of distance from my home.

I race because of the challenges presented, let's my competitive nature out, and the feeling I get the last 200 yards or so before the finish line knowing that I am near my goal.

I like all the reasons, but what about the SHWAG!
Tshirts, water bottles, food, etc!!!

I sign up so I know I have to train for it. It gives me a short term goal to define my training.

I love the shirts when they are moisture wicking material. Post-race pizza is sweet.

[quote=gfd]I love the shirts when they are moisture wicking material. Post-race pizza is sweet.[/quote]

I love a wicking shirt, which is getting to be very popular, and good post race food!!

i like medals too

The competition, the event, the challenge.
We train FOR triathlons. We are triathletes.

If we didn't actually do the races, we would not actually be triathletes.

I suppose if some of us did super bricks with all three sports consecutively on the same day, then that would qualify as a triathlon, but the race is typically the only opportunity most of us take to actually put it all together and compete in 3 events back to back to back.

I also get to wear brightly colored spandex like a comic book super hero, in PUBLIC and I am not scorned. ;-)

Maybe next year,..the cape!

"Remember Thunderhead?...Stratogale?"...Dynoguy?...Splashdown?..."
"No Capes!"
Besides....I've seen your spandex. "It's a hobo suit darling!"

The looks my friends give when they hear what I do instead of drinking with them...

[quote=Anton]"Remember Thunderhead?...Stratogale?"...Dynoguy?...Splashdown?..."
"No Capes!"
Besides....I've seen your spandex. "It's a hobo suit darling!"
[/quote]

Edna Mode kills me
LOL!

I love to see how I can push myself. It is an important key to motivation also.

oh, and the "scenery"

[quote=jtrimom]oh, and the "scenery"[/quote]

I assume you are referring to scenery like "Matt" and not scenery like "trees."

scenery goes both ways... Tri chicas don't hurt the mental game either

[quote=TonisTri][quote=jtrimom]oh, and the "scenery"[/quote]

I assume you are referring to scenery like "Matt" and not scenery like "trees."[/quote]
ummmm...ya!

My race fee is needed to help offset the cost of organising the event. Part of it also goes to the cash pot for the winner.

[quote=jtrimom]oh, and the "scenery"[/quote]

Scenery in spandex

[quote=beads1985]I also get to wear brightly colored spandex like a comic book super hero, in PUBLIC and I am not scorned. ;-)

Maybe next year,..the cape![/quote]

no capes!! ;-)

[quote=Semper Tri]scenery goes both ways... Tri chicas don't hurt the mental game either[/quote]
Interesting! Scenery that goes both ways....

ooohh boy I hope my fiance doesn't read into anton's anitcs....she'll start to wonder

[quote=Anton][quote=Semper Tri]scenery goes both ways... Tri chicas don't hurt the mental game either[/quote]
Interesting! Scenery that goes both ways....[/quote]

been visiting with beads in the gutter, Anton?

[quote=jtrimom][quote=Anton][quote=Semper Tri]scenery goes both ways... Tri chicas don't hurt the mental game either[/quote]
Interesting! Scenery that goes both ways....[/quote]

been visiting with beads in the gutter, Anton?[/quote]

We don't visit the gutter, we visit other places when we occasionally leave the gutter! ;-)

Races give me focus and purpose. I started working out and asked what it was all for? So I picked a goal race and trained for it. Then I found a tougher race and trained for that. Races keep showing up so I keep training for them :-)