Do You Need A Goal In Order to Run?

Why is it that some people can only run if they’re training for a race?  I’ve talked with several people recently that tell me they just don’t run unless they have a specific race coming up.  Does that mean they aren’t “real” runners?  Or does it mean that the other runners are addicted to running?  Just asking.

I ran the Detroit Marathon three weeks ago.  I took the entire next week off and then started back running four days a week.  Not long miles, in fact, the eight miles I did today has been my longest since the race.  

I’ve run for years without worrying about what the next race was that I’d do.  The problem is, this week as I was running something felt different.  I enjoyed the runs but I missed the anticipation of a race coming up.   At the end of the summer my plan was to run the marathon in October then just run a basic training schedule all winter to prepare for some summer 10ks.  But not I think I need a race sooner.  A running “fix”?        

I checked www.runmichigan.com to see what races I could find for November or December.  It seems there are dozens of “Turkey Trots” in November and “Jingle Bell” runs in December.  Most are 5ks.  I’m not sure that’s what I’m looking for, but at this point it may have to do.