I LOVE doing races(well, just 5K's) but I am not a great runner. I am a very good walk/runner. I can run for usually about the first mile to mile and a half and then I walk/run the rest. But I have done 3 5K's so far and I have LOVED doing them. LOVE getting the T-shirt too. As far as websites, I reccomend
www.active.com for race sites--its where I find most of mine!