VETERAN RUNNERS! What's your preferred distance?

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.

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.

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).

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.

9 max, 8 is happy days and a fast 5 gives great pleasure!

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.

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!

Half marathons are my favorite!! Or Olympic distance Triathlons!

I was going to say the same but I'm not really a vet yet.

My favorite to run is the half, BUT nothing beats the euphoria I get when crossing the finish line after a full.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.