A change of pace in terms of your running pace will give you strength psychologically.
Every race is totally different.
Good health, peace of mind, being outdoors, camaraderie - those are all wonderful things that come to you when running. But for me, the real pull of running - the proverbial icing on the cake - has always been racing.
I believe in gradual experimentation with running shoes.
Hills are terrific for running
Every time I bomb out, I have to come back. I have a feeling after a bad race that my next one will be good.