This post is in response to Christina’s Running Question Challenge.
Question:
What is your favorite distance to run in a race or just out on a run?
Answer:
There are two questions here and I have two different answers. The first would be my favorite distance to run. In my case that would be 32km (20 miles). Just as it starts to get difficult and sore, it’s over. That’s what I like about the 32km distance. You get a good challenge without the hurting and battle a marathon throws at you.
The second is my favorite distance to run in a race. My answer here would be ultras, the longer the better. I would say ultras of 100km or more are my favorite races. I think there is a difference between “favorite distances” “and favorite races to run”. Nothing can beat the feeling of finishing a long race after 20 or more hours. There is something about it that only those who have done it can explain.
So if I have to pick a favorite distance to run and enjoy often it is 32km (20 miles). If I have to choose one favorite distance or race to do it would be an ultra of 100km or more.
Do you have a favorite distance?
36 comments:
So pleased to hear that 32km is a good distance and your explanation that it ends just when it gets hard is great to hear - I will be running the RAC Tough One 32km next week. It is my longest distance to date and I have been really nervous. Thanks for that.
I've never run farther than 21 K, so I have no idea how 32 feels! My favorite distance is 10K. Enough that I have to take it seriously but not too much to make me feel shot afterwards.
hmm, interesting question..ya know, i can honestly say i've NEVER thought about this before...well, my favorite race distance would definitely be a half marathon but as far as just running...no clue what my fav distance is. i'll have to pay attention tho this. Have a great day, or in SA, i suppose i should say hope you are having a great day since its afternoon
The Half Marathon is my favorite. You can go hard, but yet you have to hang back just a little bit. Your recovery time isn't too bad either. I guess when I think about it, the one race that I want to PR over and over again is the half marathon.
My favorite distance for a run is 8 miles.
My favorite race distance is 13.1 :-)
Hmmm...for a race now that I know how to do it I would say the half marathon. From a training perspective, I do like the 30km runs we do. After that my brain turns to mush.
I run by time and not distance, so my favorite is to run for an hour. I'm thinking my favorite distance will be 50 miles, when I work up to it - seems doable but not overwhelming like a 100 miles. The 100K also sounds like a good distance.
Easy question to answer, 100K (on the bike)
I love this question. I'd say marathon but really I'd say 50 miles [just finding that much time to run that far . . . can be challenging.
I think my favourite distance to race is the half marathon. It's JUST long enough.
As for favourite distance to run... I enjoy long runs near the 20-mile mark. You can take your time and like you said, you get to stop JUST as you start to feel really sore. It's also a great excuse for a huge second breakfast!
I love your take on the two
and I am going to use your thought process for my next feww 20 milers leading to my Jan marathon!! thanks for THAT
fav run = 6 miles
fav race = half marathon
10k race, and 8.5k tempo run.
At this point in my running career, I think 10-milers are my favorite because they are just long enough to get some faster miles in without feeling completely exhausted at the end. My favorite racing distance is a Half Marathon for sure (so far)!
I love the marathon!
Hmmm..good question. I feel strongest in the 13.1 mile distance, but I enjoy the struggle and pain that comes with pushing through the wall in a marathon.
I'm with you on the favorite distance...something about being out there for that amount of time is just right!
I agree with you too...20 miles or under just seem perfect. But nothing like a marathon to make you feel completely spent - love that feeling!
I love to run the marathon - but more so, I love to train for a marathon. The favorite race I like to RACE is the half marathon, I just like to race hard for a long time :). We don't have enough 20 mile races here in the states, but I think I'd like that one.
I've got another question for you to answer - what was your first ultra, how many marathons had you done before it and what made you decide to take up the challenge?
woah 20 miles! I hit the wall at mile 20. LOL! I hope to be able to say that that is my favorite distance too. Maybe someday. there was I time I hated 21K but it's now my favorite distance =)
I'm with you Johann,nothing beats the pain and exhilaration of crawling over the finishing line of an ultra. I love it. For a road run, my favorite would be the half marathon. Enough distance to warm up, enjoy but minus the pain of a marathon.
I'm with Jill! I love the training for the marathon but I also love the race...anything else just seems too short.
Wow! JUST as it starts to get tough it's over for 20 miles! It gets tough for me way before that! It's funny how we all like different distances. Just like as a teacher we all like teaching different age kids.
Good question Johann! I think my favourite distance to race is the half marathon.
Have a nice weekend!
Good question Johann! I think my favourite distance to race is the half marathon.
Have a nice weekend!
I am a half marathon queen but I also really like the 10 mile distance:)
Who knows, maybe after running a few more marathon I will be temped to do a mini Ultra:)
Have a fantastic weekend Johann!
25k trail run/race is a good distance - just enough, but not a whole day time commitment!
nice answer! :)
I would have to say my favorite distance to run right now is 6 miles...
my favorite distance to race... 5k... you can give all you've got and in 30 minutes or less, you're done lol...
I like the half marathon too but by the end my fingers were swollen and stiff lol... guess i'll have to try another half to find out if i like it as much as the 5k ;)
I like your logic about the 20 miler!
I always like 6 miles or so, and think the half marathon race is just perfect!
I love the marathon. I hate the marathon.
run..every distance
event..ultra..and then it depends on which race rather than the actual distance..i could love one 50miler but not like another
but i enjoy a pork pie and a few beers afterwards whatever the distance!
awesome question, Was just thinking about this. Right now I love 10K, and 10 miles, but with Ironman 70.3 Hawaii coming up I need to get to love 13.1 miles.
I must admit I'm also with BDD about 100K - on the bike.
Great post! I love to run 18 miles. I love to race half marathons. I would love to say that "I love to race marathons", but I don't really think that I "race" marathons. I run them and I love that too. Is that confusing enough? Thanks for the thought provoking question!
I love your answer. It's amazing to me that for a good distance is 20 miles but being an ultra guy that makes sense.
In answer to your question. There are currently 12 Ragnar Relay's right now and they are adding more each year. I'd like to run all of them and it'll take me a couple years to do them all.
I've done well on the shorter distances (10k) but love the challenge of the marathon.
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