How did you decide how many races to do?

I'll ldt you know once I figure out what I'm going to be able to do.

I generally do 1 to 2 races per month, although I will do more if they are local - I just can't seem to pass up a local race.  I do a lot of 5ks, but I've also done an 8K, a 10K, a 10 miler, and a half marathon (my second half marathon is in 2 weeks).   

I look at racing as a way to keep me on track.  I always pre-register.  If I've paid money, then I have to race.  If I am racing, I have to train.   

I really enjoy participating in local events.  I've met some really nice people.  I like to save my racing bibs, and write all my stats for that event on them.  I use racing as a way to track my progress. 

I save my bibs and write my stats on them too!  Just started in September.......but cannot wait to see how I do next September. 

I've started to "repeat" some races, so it is fun to see how far I've come in a year! 

I'm looking forward to that, although I am going to be much gentler to my knees in the future!

Back to running every other day once my knees recover (may require dr. visit?) and doing something different (not walking) on my off days!

I like the idea of using the bibs for events to save and track your progress, gonna steal that idea from you!

Please do!!  They are like my little badges of honor :)

 I haven't been as active as Dan but since May I've done: 3 5k's, 5 sprint triathlons, 1 olympic, 2 half-ironman triathlons, 2 marathons.  I've still got a 1/2 and full marathon and at least 2-3 5k's left before I start my ironman training in January.
The only problem with all that racing is I didn't have an 'A' race, but I was fine with that.  My marathons were 14 days apart and I had the H1N1 flu between them -- but that just cemented my I'm here for the experience mentality.
The distances that you're doing you could probably stack them back to back without any adverse reaction.
Good luck, planning the season is always the fun part!
--Dan

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking of doing several 5 and 10k's until I'm up to doing more. So I think I'll try a couple a month for the first few months and see where I am.

I started with walking 5ks and finally started to run (and now my knees are reminding me why I was worried!) I like to do an event every month at minimum.

I did a 5k Sept and Oct, and now 5 mile Nov, then two 5Ks in Dec (both outdoors), and then an 8 miler in Jan and Feb, a 10K in March (less than the Jan but whatever) and then a 1/2 marathon in April.  I think that was it anyway.............

I walked 5ks prior to September, I had to take part of July and all of August off training (bladder not allowed to run) and walking due to post-op lightheadedness that took weeks to resolve, or I would be a lot further along now...............