Runners Long Distance?

WhatMeRunning

I'm probably not experienced enough to say with any certainty, but I think in terms of just casual runs, or a lot of people's training even, anything over 10 miles is pretty long as a "long run" for just about anyone. Of course, for marathons or ultra's, people will run much farther. But for most peoples normal runs, 10 miles is pretty long.

rightoncommander

Distance running is 5k+ if we're talking about racing. 100m-400m is sprinting, 800-3000 is middle distance, 5000+ is distance. For me, 800m is the worst race, worse even than 5k, it's pure agony.

If you mean training, a long slow distance run is just the longest run for this stage in your training cycle. Right now for me that's not even 10 miles as I ease into my base training after an injury lay-off, but in a couple of months it could be 20+.

stealthq

I'm classifying my runs based on the time it takes me to run them.
Long > 1hr
Mid > 30min
Short <= 30min

Distance-wise, at my current pace (usually 9:30-9:45) that'd roughly translate into:
Long > 10K
Mid > 5K, < 10K
Short <= 5K

chesnity3

For me, right now, since I'm only 3 months into running, anything over 5k is long distance.

chunkytfg

glevinso wrote: »

5k is a long race. At least it feels that way to me. 5ks HURT BAD.

Running 3 miles is short, and easy. A 5k race is brutal.

So true. 5k races are just a case of go too hard from the gun, try and hang on for 4k then go even harder for the last 1k!

5k races and 10 mile time trials are the only time i'm nearly at the point of puking on the finish line. I'd rather do ultra's than 5k's

In answer to the original question though for me anything I feel the need to plan for like running with a comeback or small water bottle etc rather than just chucking a pair of runners on and stepping out the door. For me thats out 15 miles, shorter than that and I don't carry anything except maybe a gel if my breakfast was lacking!

jrline

10 mile or more is long distance in my book

throoper

Anything 6+ is "long" to me. It's mostly just a mental line in the sand, because I do run that far really regularly.

SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »

glevinso wrote: »

5k is a long race. At least it feels that way to me. 5ks HURT BAD.

Running 3 miles is short, and easy. A 5k race is brutal.

100% agree. Toughest race to execute properly.

oh my god I so agree! Running a half feels easier in a lot of ways than sprinting for 3.1 miles.

MSeel1984

It's all about perspective. A year ago today I would have considered 1 mile to be long because I wasn't as into running back then. Now an average run for me is 7-9 miles longer 10-12. First half this weekend!