Sarah at Running (to keep up) with a Toddler asked me “What is your favorite distance to run?”
My favorite distance? 10K
I know I’m unusual in that. Most people don’t like it because it’s too long to go flat out like a 5k, but too short to consider a true endurance race and take it at an easier pace. But, I love that distance most of the time.
Why?
- It’s a distance that I can nearly always manage. Even two weeks after having to take some time off for an injury, I was able to finish one.
- Most of the time, it’s a distance I can run strongly for the first five miles and then crush the last mile. It takes me a couple of miles to truly warm up these days, so I can go out easy and just keep getting faster. 10K is the distance I most frequently negative split.
- It’s only an hour out of my morning. Heck, if it’s an early race, I can sometimes get back before the kids even wake up.
- Even when it sucks (did I mention the race I ran last weekend? Yeah), the suffering is manageable. I could walk/run the last two miles (oh, wait, I did) and still finished in a reasonable time.
Honestly, under normal, non-injured circumstances, I’d be happy to run a 10K every weekend of the year.
Now if I could just pick a course without a hill that will kill me…
Last week…
This week…
ha, you could always run a Hains 10k, but what would be the fun in that?
Wow, I really *dislike* that distance for the reasons you mentioned. Interesting that it is your favorite
I have only done one 10K, but love that distance!
I love the 10k! It's my absolute favorite distance. Not so fast you feel like yr gonna puke, long enough that you log a few miles and short enough that you still have the whole morning to run errands or enjoy Sunday!
I like 10ks too. I usually can pace well for them although will all the ultra distance stuff I might need some more speed training before I race one this fall. I'd better get on that soon!…mine has hills too. RDs must love to challenge runners. 😉
This week's elevation chart looks like some sort of demonic castle!
love, love, love the 10K. a 5K doesn't give me time to warm up, but a 10K is the perfect distance. I love that it is over in an hour, it is perfect for the summer and and I can keep a good pace for the hour. hmmm….why did I sign up for Chicago again?
Ooh, that was my question! And my answer is the same as yours. I love a 10k. There aren't enough of them while there are 10+ 5ks a week.
I'm a fan of the 8K … I'd like the 10K if I had more time to do some long runs, but for now its too much for me to feel comfortable with!
I've only done one actual 10K race, but I think I like the distance. I am doing another one in Aug in preparation for my Oly Tri (which also has a 10K run as part of it).
Yep, not a fan of the 10K. It just feels like a really long and painfully drawn out 5K!Those do not look like nice 10K (or any race distance) profiles. Good luck!!!