VETERAN RUNNERS! What's your preferred distance?
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I've only done a bunch of 5ks, a couple 5 milers, and just one 10k... I signed up for a half-marathon but found the training program to be too time consuming for me. I play hockey 3 days a week and do a lot of cross-training, so dedicating that much time to pure running did not work out for me. I love the 5k distance.. all of my cross-training prepares me pretty well for it, and I am able to squeeze in enough pure run time to train pretty well. If only I could have a crowd of people to run with/compete with on my daily runs... :P That really fuels me!
I also have a hard time running more slowly for longer distances.. in a race, I've really never run slower than an 8 min 30 sec mile (finally broke the 8 min mile barrier during this past Saturday's 5k, though, which I am very proud of!), and for me right now, it would be very hard to do anything more than a 10k at that kind of pace.0 -
I'm definitely not a veteran, but I've done 5ks, 10ks, and one half--and doing my second half next month. 5ks are the easiest but I kinda like the challenge of a half...0
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I love 10 milers. Part of that could be that I really enjoy the 10 mile race that I run every year (Soldier Field 10). The other part is that it's a distance that I have to train for but I don't have to follow a strict schedule to do it. During the winter my long runs drop to 4-5 milers but that's still enough of a base for me to make the jump to 10 easily.
I've done everything from 5ks to two marathons.0 -
I've raced from 400 meters up to the marathon and I think my favorite race distance is 10 miles. The pace is fast enough that you really feel like you are moving, but it's not an anaerobic effort like a 5K where you feel like your chest is going to explode for the last 1.1 miles. I'm also quite fond of mile races on the track. That's a gold standard. Pretty much everyone knows about the 4 minute mile and they can understand what's fast and what's faster.
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For mid-week runs, I don't bother going unless I'm going to get in 4.5-5 miles. My weekend long runs are usually in the 11-13 mile range.
As for race events, I like the atmosphere of a 5K, you get anywhere from the gazelles running at a 5-minute pace, guys like me at "fast, but not fast enough" pace and the beginner runners and the walkers. It's really a great mix and great atmosphere, being at those races helps keep things in perspective for me about where I've come from (my first 5K 2 1/2 years ago I clocked in at 40 minutes, a month ago I was at 22:20) and where I want to go (one day I'll be a gazelle!).
I ran my first half-marathon in February and have to admit that I loved it. It is, to me, the perfect length. Just long enough to know I pushed my body, a race length that I know I can push and sustain just beyond what I've done in training and not so long of a race that it feels like I'll never get there (which is what I imagine a whole marathon would feel like for me).0 -
I love to race half marathons. On my own a 15-18miler is great.0
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For me, there is a difference between the feeling of accomplishment that comes from the longer distances and my favourite distance. A half marathon or marathon represent a major accomplishment. If you are able to, it is definitely worth training for at least once in your life.
My favourite distance, however, is 10K. I like that a 10K race requires training, but not a huge number of training km/miles every week. I like to cross train (boot camp style workouts, running, yoga, swimming) and the 10K distance allows me to do this. I run 2-3x per week. I aim for 1 short run (4-5 km), 1 interval or hill workout and 1 longer (8-12km) run. This is managable from a time perspective and also from an injury prevention perspective.
It's such a personal thing, however. Each person finds their endorphins at a different point in a run.0 -
I have 71 races under my belt in 3 years, so I'll say I'm a Veteran runner! Road run-- my peferered training distance is 5 mile, so that I can race 10k, 15k and 1/2 marathon as needed. However, my love is for the trail runs! As a matter of fact, I'm earning my orange headband this weekend. Tough Mudder! (10-11 miles, 26 obstacles). I got hooked on these kind of trail runs after the finishing the Warrior Dash and Run for your Life, Zombie run! Good Times!0
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9 max, 8 is happy days and a fast 5 gives great pleasure!0
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My favorite is the half marathon....long enough to feel like a big race. But, not so long that it kicks your *kitten* for 2 days after!
I despise 5Ks. I would rather run long than fast.
Completely agree :-)0 -
Although there aren't many of them, I like a 15K. There is a big one in my area every March that I have done 4 times. It's the perfect distance for that time of year. i am currently training for my third half, which I like also, but there's just something about the 15K. I hope to do my first full marathon within the next year. I want to do one in my lifetime, but I'm pretty sure it won't be a routine thing.
I also like when longer runs also have a 5K because it's nice to see people who accomplish this for the first time and share the experience with them.0 -
I'm currently training for marathon # 26, I still haven't figured out whether or not I like them...
I love this!0 -
My favorite is the half marathon....long enough to feel like a big race. But, not so long that it kicks your *kitten* for 2 days after!
I despise 5Ks. I would rather run long than fast.
Completely agree :-)
Interesting.. I am exactly the opposite Good thing there are lots of different race distances! 0 -
Half marathons are my favorite!! Or Olympic distance Triathlons!0
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Half marathons are my favorite!! Or Olympic distance Triathlons!
I was going to say the same but I'm not really a vet yet.0 -
Half marathons for sure! Run at a nice pace, no concerns about hitting the wall (not long enough).
I'm currently training for marathon # 26, I still haven't figured out whether or not I like them...
Ha ha! I like you! I'm in training for marathon #5 and I feel the same way. But 26? You rock!
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Back to the OP's questions, my favorite distance is probably a half-marathon followed closely by a 10K or 20K. I dislike 5Ks because I'm just not that fast and I feel like by the time I get up to speed the race is over. LOL! And I'm doing my 5th full marathon this June and it's a love/hate relationship that we have together.0 -
My favorite to run is the half, BUT nothing beats the euphoria I get when crossing the finish line after a full.0
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Half marathons are my favorite!! Or Olympic distance Triathlons!
+1 on the half marathon, I can find the time to train for one properly (even though I am thinking about 26.2 for next year just to say I've done one......)0 -
Running ... haven't decided if I like it yet or not. Some days I do and some days I don't.
That being said, I suppose I'd go with a half marathon since I keep doing them. 37 different states and counting. A half is doable without feeling like it's a part time job getting ready for it. A full is truly like having a part time job.
10K's are nice and I feel more in control doing them. That might be the answer for me. IDK. Still thinking about it.0 -
marathon, no questions asked!0
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5km is my favorite because I can just power through them. 25 minutes has been my best time so far, but 23 is my goal!0
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What is your favorite distance? Race Wise: Half Marathon, Training Wise: 17-20 milers! (Once I run a Mary we shall see how I feel then!)
Is it your strongest distance, or your favorite for other reasons? Strongest Race wise is currently 8-10K, but my half marathons are also right there with them. There is something wonderful about the half distance, I think because I have ran that much more it is easier to challenge myself during them than the mary which I am still training for my first in.
How did you determine it to be the best distance for you? I have ran my very best splits and finish times in 8/10K, but as I said before, the half marathon is really getting there. I am on the verge of breaking sub 2 hour and I will know for certain May 5th!0 -
Half-marathon for sure. Although, I think everyone should do a marathon to say they've done it, it's awesome! And I've done 5ks, 10ks, halfs and a full.
It's not the race, it's the training!! I had to do long runs of 18-22 miles for my full and it takes a lot of time. I'd rather be hanging out with my friends or riding my motorcycle.
Also, a half is relatively easy to prepare for if you haven't been running long.0 -
I love them all, but the half is my favorite. I have yet to run a full Mary, but I start training for my first one next week. I'm excited, but not looking forward to the 20+ mile runs on Saturdays when i would rather be spending that time doing something else. I love the half because it doesn't take up the whole day and I can still go goof off in the afternoon with the family. I've heard that marathons drain you for at least a couple days. I like 5Ks and 10Ks because I can do them with my stroller and my husband (who is also good at running, but prefers to mountain bike so he won't do the longer runs with me:-) so I feel like it's a family strengthening activity that is fun and healthy. I also LOVE it when kids give me high fives as I run by during a half! I feel so cool:-)0
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I stopped running about 2 years ago. But I did a 5K, 2 10Ks and a full marathon. I liked the full marathon the best. 5K seemed so short, what made it feel worse was that the course was mostly my "short run" while I was training for the marathon. I felt like it was just a training session the whole way through. The 10Ks were a little better. I am going to try and start running again, but jogging strollers are so expensive and my husband doesn't get home until late and I'd rather spend the time with him than go out for a run. I HATE HATE HATE running on treadmills or tracks, it feels monotonous. I'd like to try a half marathon just to compare. Once I go back to work and we have a little more money maybe I can pick up a used jogging stroller and I can run between the time I pick up my son at day care and when my husband gets home.
I just want to add that my longest run before I did the marathon was about 16 miles.0 -
For everyday/training running, I don't know that I have a favorite distance. Once I switched to Vibrams (minimalist shoes), I was forced to change my running/impact style and found that I actually enjoy it. This is after years of running in races just to prove to myself that I'm still capable.
For races, the marathon wins. I get a sense of accomplishment for every race completed (never gonna win one, I just aim to complete them). But there's just something about a marathon. Sure there's the greater "accomplishment" factor, but the mental aspect is huge. So many self-trials throughout the race, pushing yourself past every "but it's still so far to the finish line" or "great, now it's raining" and so forth. When you take that final step, it's not just a distance achievement - it's a whole bucket full of successes.
But that could just be me :ohwell:0 -
Love doing half marathons...but I also liked the kick-*kitten* feeling of finishing my marathon (6:19--one of the last...but plenty of room to PR next time!). Halfs are my strongest...the longer you go, the less it matters if you're slow!
However, my 7 year old does 5K's...I did his first with him last year when he was 6...he beat me by over 4 minutes and beat well over half the field...5K's are a fantastically welcome and doable distance for everyone.0 -
I like 1/2 marathons for races and anywhere from 5-10 miles for training runs.0
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10K is my favorite. (: I also like halfs, wait - I like all distances! I have not ran a marathon (YET) but that is in the plans.
I am not a veteran runner since I just started racing in August 2011.0
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