Picking your ideal race distance - and then being ok with it

[tils]

I don't know why I'm having such a hard time convincing myself to do shorter race distances.

I'm trying to commit myself to doing only 10K races this year. I enjoy them and the training SO much more, and I'm all around a lot faster in a shorter distance, plus I have far less injuries when I do this race distance.

Why is my head trying to tell me that I should be doing half marathons to be a "real runner". I know being a runner has nothing do with times or distances. Is about enjoying it and running in general.

I'm guessing it's because my DH is a marathoner, and triathlete and I see him out there putting in tons of hours of training. He doesn't make me feel bad about it, and in fact thinks I'm crazy to keep wanting to do halfs when I keep injuring myself so much.

At least I'm listening to my body more, and if I stick to the 10K's I can do a lot more speed training.

So hard to get my head in the right place of realzing what my body can handle. Anybody else have this problem.

[JenniferMcCreath]

perhaps you are under the impression that completing longer distances represent a greater accomplishment and require more work.. but you know, setting some challenging speed goals at the 10K distance will require equally as much effort to meet.

perhaps the public perception of the marathon concept is another thing that makes you feel that these longer races are important. you mention the word Marathon to anyone, and they will immediately become impressed.. you mention the word Boston in the same sentence, and people become even more impressed, even if they know nothing about running.. i know this perception factor has played a strong role in the reason for which i have chosen to focus on the 42.2k distance as my race of choice.

[VeloCarrie]

Why is my head trying to tell me that I should be doing half marathons to be a "real runner". I know being a runner has nothing do with times or distances. Is about enjoying it and running in general.
[ . . . ]
So hard to get my head in the right place of realzing what my body can handle. Anybody else have this problem.

What makes you happy?
Do you want to listen to your head (which seems to be dictated by what others think) or do you want to listen to your heart (which seems to be dictated by what you think)? This is up to you to answer, not anyone else. I'm just saying your answer might be located in your question.

[La]

I think you've answered your own question. You just want us to validate your decision for you.

He (or she) who runs is a runner. Period.

[ian]

I'm trying to commit myself to doing only 10K races this year. I enjoy them and the training SO much more, and I'm all around a lot faster in a shorter distance, plus I have far less injuries when I do this race distance.

This is a very convincing set of reasons. Other distances will still be around if you changed your mind and maybe a year of happy injury-free training is a better way of preparing for that anyway.

[fe.RMT]

I have decided to only race 10K or less this year. For me, the excitement around this decision is that I am going to be able to race more frequently! That excites me! More races equals more social time and more opportunities to meet people!

Now, I am under no delusions that training well for 10K and under is ANY less work than training for a half marathon or a full marathon. It's a just a different kind of work. So maybe that's where you need to change your mindset.

[dgrant]

I don't see why you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Run the distances you like. Run 'em up real nice.

and

Be viewed as a "real runner". Sure the people in the office won't say wow as much about a 10K as they do for an "OMG! A marathon! How could you do that???!!!", but people in the running community certainly appreciate a well-run 10K. Whose opinion matters more?

I don't think serious runners equate running farther with running better if the running's not done well.

[bruyere]

Sure the people in the office won't say wow as much about a 10K as they do for an "OMG! A marathon! How could you do that???!!!", but people in the running community certainly appreciate a well-run 10K. Whose opinion matters more?

Yes! Well put!

[abhainn]

I have the same kind of issues, only in my case it involves all races, no matter what length, and injuries aren't what's stopping me. The 3 races I ran in my first year of running, I really could take or leave. I wasn't exhilarated about the large crowd at my first. I wasn't completely depressed by coming in dead last at my second, and was indifferent to coming in mid-pack in my 3rd.

But most of the posts on this forum happen to be about people racing. HalfIM, Marathon, Ultras, Goofy Challenges and such. I start thinking maybe I should race as well. I think it would be so neat to take part in things like the goofy challenge. But then I realize that while I don't hate running anymore I don't love it enough to want to be doing it for a good 4-5 hours, which is how long it would likely take me to finish a marathon.

I originally got into running because I fell in love with watching adventure racing on tv. Now I realize that ain't gonna happen so I'm still working on coming to terms with the fact that I may never race again. In my heart I think I'm fine with that, but it's hard being confronted everyday with people who seem to spend every waking hour thinking about, planning trips for, and training for, a race. That feeling/attitude from my youth of "there's no point in running if you can't run fast" has been transformed into, "what's the point in running if you don't race?". Or in your case, "what's the point in racing if I'm not doing the marathon?".

[Doonst]

I have the same kind of issues, only in my case it involves all races, no matter what length, and injuries aren't what's stopping me. The 3 races I ran in my first year of running, I really could take or leave. I wasn't exhilarated about the large crowd at my first. I wasn't completely depressed by coming in dead last at my second, and was indifferent to coming in mid-pack in my 3rd.

But most of the posts on this forum happen to be about people racing. HalfIM, Marathon, Ultras, Goofy Challenges and such. I start thinking maybe I should race as well. I think it would be so neat to take part in things like the goofy challenge. But then I realize that while I don't hate running anymore I don't love it enough to want to be doing it for a good 4-5 hours, which is how long it would likely take me to finish a marathon.

I originally got into running because I fell in love with watching adventure racing on tv. Now I realize that ain't gonna happen so I'm still working on coming to terms with the fact that I may never race again. In my heart I think I'm fine with that, but it's hard being confronted everyday with people who seem to spend every waking hour thinking about, planning trips for, and training for, a race. That feeling/attitude from my youth of "there's no point in running if you can't run fast" has been transformed into, "what's the point in running if you don't race?". Or in your case, "what's the point in racing if I'm not doing the marathon?".

There's only one anwer to that question, and it's classic dgrant:

If my hobby were stamp collecting, I'd go to a stamp convention.
If my hobby were movies, I'd go to a film festival.
If my hobby were S&M, I'd go to doonst's basement.

My chosen hobby is running, and races are the "jamborees" of my hobby. I just love the vibe of being around like-minded people for a set period of time. I pretty much only run alone, so races give me my social fix. I guess that's why I personally prefer the big races most.

I'm in it for the participation aspect, but since I've already got my running shoes and shorts on, might as well run as fast as I can!

[Jo-Jo]

I have the same kind of issues, only in my case it involves all races, no matter what length, and injuries aren't what's stopping me. The 3 races I ran in my first year of running, I really could take or leave. I wasn't exhilarated about the large crowd at my first. I wasn't completely depressed by coming in dead last at my second, and was indifferent to coming in mid-pack in my 3rd.

But most of the posts on this forum happen to be about people racing. HalfIM, Marathon, Ultras, Goofy Challenges and such. I start thinking maybe I should race as well. I think it would be so neat to take part in things like the goofy challenge. But then I realize that while I don't hate running anymore I don't love it enough to want to be doing it for a good 4-5 hours, which is how long it would likely take me to finish a marathon.

I originally got into running because I fell in love with watching adventure racing on tv. Now I realize that ain't gonna happen so I'm still working on coming to terms with the fact that I may never race again. In my heart I think I'm fine with that, but it's hard being confronted everyday with people who seem to spend every waking hour thinking about, planning trips for, and training for, a race. That feeling/attitude from my youth of "there's no point in running if you can't run fast" has been transformed into, "what's the point in running if you don't race?". Or in your case, "what's the point in racing if I'm not doing the marathon?".

There's only one anwer to that question, and it's classic dgrant:

If my hobby were stamp collecting, I'd go to a stamp convention.
If my hobby were movies, I'd go to a film festival.
If my hobby were S&M, I'd go to doonst's basement.

My chosen hobby is running, and races are the "jamborees" of my hobby. I just love the vibe of being around like-minded people for a set period of time. I pretty much only run alone, so races give me my social fix. I guess that's why I personally prefer the big races most.

I'm in it for the participation aspect, but since I've already got my running shoes and shorts on, might as well run as fast as I can!

Andrea...if you don't enjoy racing but you think you might like hanging out at races might I suggest you invent an "alter ego"

That's how Hula Girl got invented...I wanted to hang out with some of my friends who are triathletes at their races but no darn way I was sliding over and becoming a Darksider Now Hula Girl goes to road races too

It's just a thought

As...for finding the distance that suits you best..each to his own. The race distance I'm in total awe of is the 5km distance...why would anyone want to start a race in full throttle and stay that way for an entire race...I bow down to those people

[toobusy]

I don't know why I'm having such a hard time convincing myself to do shorter race distances.
Why is my head trying to tell me that I should be doing half marathons to be a "real runner". I know being a runner has nothing do with times or distances. Is about enjoying it and running in general.
I'm guessing it's because my DH is a marathoner, and triathlete and I see him out there putting in tons of hours of training.

most of the posts on this forum happen to be about people racing. HalfIM, Marathon, Ultras, Goofy Challenges and such. I start thinking maybe I should race as well. I think it would be so neat to take part in things like the goofy challenge.
In my heart I think I'm fine with that, but it's hard being confronted everyday with people who seem to spend every waking hour thinking about, planning trips for, and training for, a race. That feeling/attitude from my youth of "there's no point in running if you can't run fast" has been transformed into, "what's the point in running if you don't race?". Or in your case, "what's the point in racing if I'm not doing the marathon?".

'But you are doing more than most people' doesnt comfort when most people we see (or read ) are doing so much 'more' - it can seem like what we are doing is 'nothing'. I don't have much advice really, since I don't want to accept that my pace is what it is, but working on a goal of speed instead of distance will take as much work.

[DougG]

I can't add much to the excellent answers already posted, except to say, is Usain (sp) Bolt a real runner?

[Pat Menzies]

An 800 meter race is about the toughest all around race you can likely find. The length of a race has no bearing on the validity of participation.

[HarryJacobs]

I am wrestling with this a bit this year. After coming off a bad year for injuries and Arthritis I am finally been able to get back on the road consistently at the end of October last year. My gaol was to do the edmonton Marathon last year. But it was a no go for running.

While any interst in a full marathon is completely gone, I have decided to settle on 10K as the distance of interest. I am going to move my km up to where I can run a 1/2 if I so choose, but for racing I think I am going to stick with 5 and 10K events.

Harry

[AirForceRunner]

Earlier this year, someone in this forum said that they 'don't feel the need to apologize for not doing marathons". I found this statement incredibly empowering, given that I rather enjoy the chaos and panic of the 5 km event.
As a runner, non-runners will assume you run marathons. Let them assume, and take pride in whatever event you enjoy running in.

[tils]

Thanks for all the words. I think I just needed to hear them!

[Jwolf]

Sure the people in the office won't say wow as much about a 10K as they do for an "OMG! A marathon! How could you do that???!!!", but people in the running community certainly appreciate a well-run 10K. Whose opinion matters more?

Yes! Well put!

Actually, most of the people I talk to who aren't runners assume a 10K race IS a marathon.

As others have said, do what you like to do.

All distances have their unique challenges. Some people will train harder for 5K and 10K races than others do for marathons. No one is more or less of a real runner unless they are putting that distinction on themselves.

[Jo-Jo]

Earlier this year, someone in this forum said that they 'don't feel the need to apologize for not doing marathons". I found this statement incredibly empowering, given that I rather enjoy the chaos and panic of the 5 km event.

Does this mean I'll get to see you puke at the finish line of some local races this season....oh joy

[MichaelMc]

I stay away from shorter distance races because they hurt so much

We're running for fun: run what you find fun. I'm going to be trying some XC races this year. Totally out of my comfort zone, but I figure I can go out and get crushed without feeling too bad about it.

[q]

After a successful spring and summer of 10K's you could always do a late fall half.

Your overall speed will have more than certainly improved. Your body will most likely feel rested after the shorter recoveries of the 10K. And your mind/spirit will not be burned out after logging all those LSDs.

[horselady]

Sure the people in the office won't say wow as much about a 10K as they do for an "OMG! A marathon! How could you do that???!!!", but people in the running community certainly appreciate a well-run 10K. Whose opinion matters more?

Yes! Well put!

Actually, most of the people I talk to who aren't runners assume a 10K race IS a marathon.

As others have said, do what you like to do.

All distances have their unique challenges. Some people will train harder for 5K and 10K races than others do for marathons. No one is more or less of a real runner unless they are putting that distinction on themselves.

I really concur with what Jwolf says here. It resonates true.
For me I have tried almost all distances, except marathon ( that is coming soon... ) ...and they all have their unique challenges. I can say actually the hardest race I ran last year was a 5K...pretty close to..
at the finish line. Not that, that is the goal but when I looked around me the woman that run that race ran it in about 19 minutes...and she was my age!! ( 47) Gotta believe there was quite a bit of training in that....

[AirForceRunner]

Earlier this year, someone in this forum said that they 'don't feel the need to apologize for not doing marathons". I found this statement incredibly empowering, given that I rather enjoy the chaos and panic of the 5 km event.

Does this mean I'll get to see you puke at the finish line of some local races this season....oh joy

Not gonna happen...I'm usually too busy joking with the race marshalls.
That's my resolution this year...to take running a little more seriously.

[seuss]

Sure the people in the office won't say wow as much about a 10K as they do for an "OMG! A marathon! How could you do that???!!!", but people in the running community certainly appreciate a well-run 10K. Whose opinion matters more?

Yes! Well put!

not to mention that some folk think a marathon is 10K!

the first and only person you have to convince you are worthy as a runner is yourself. after that you are golden. i have fought this battle in my own head many times. it is refreshing to notice how much the world at large doesn't really care.

are you enjoying yourself? are you challenging yourself? are you healthy? are you enjoying yourself? do you have a balanced life? are you having fun yet?

there you go!

[Jo-Jo]

Sure the people in the office won't say wow as much about a 10K as they do for an "OMG! A marathon! How could you do that???!!!", but people in the running community certainly appreciate a well-run 10K. Whose opinion matters more?

Yes! Well put!

not to mention that some folk think a marathon is 10K!

the first and only person you have to convince you are worthy as a runner is yourself. after that you are golden. i have fought this battle in my own head many times. it is refreshing to notice how much the world at large doesn't really care.

are you enjoying yourself? are you challenging yourself? are you healthy? are you enjoying yourself? do you have a balanced life? are you having fun yet?

there you go!

AMEN