When Patty, April, and I decided to make this week’s topic Favorite Race Distance, we all know what I thought I’d write about. Yes, I am addicted to half marathons. Yes, I do run them quite frequently (15 this year so far…). No, I can’t quit them.
But, if I were to be totally honest, I run them because I like the challenge. And the bling. And no one has come up with 5 10ks in 5 days as a race series. And did I mention the bling? (I’ve added 20 medals since this picture. I know.)
(And I’d like to say I do it for the beer, but most races have crap beer. Yes, I said it.)
I don’t actually love the distance. In nearly every race, at some point, I’m cursing myself for choosing to run it. No matter how you cut it, a half marathon is a long ways. But I do it anyways. And I keep going back.
So, let’s chat about my actual favorite distance: the 10K. I love me a good 10K. Why?
- I am ALWAYS 10k ready. (I may not always be fast, but I can always finish.)
- You don’t have to push as hard as a 5k.
- You don’t have to run for as long as a half marathon.
- I love training for them – 6 miles is my running sweet spot.
- I don’t have to worry about fueling or my calf cramping or my legs crapping out on me. Like I said – my sweet spot.
And this love is leaving me on the horns of a dilemma…
That’s right! I’m a ZOOMA Annapolis Ambassador again for 2015. I love this race and I can’t wait to run it (and I hope you will all join me!) But they have a half marathon option and a 10K option. What’s a half marathon girl to do when the 10K is screaming for a PR attempt?
Want to join me? Use code ERIKA15 for 10% off of either the half marathon or the 10K!
Loading InLinkz ...
I have NEVER run a 10k race! They don’t seem to be that popular around here, although a few have opened up in the past year or so.
I think I’m going to make 10k my distance for next year!
I’m in the same dilemma (with a different back story as you)! I ran the ZOOMA Annapolis 10K last year, and want to run ZOOMA again this year. I feel like I *should* race the half since I’ll have 2 or 3 13.1s under my belt by the time it rolls around again next year BUT I also LOVE the 10K distance and kind of just want to PR the 10K since that’s the race that really kick started my desire to start training in earnest last year.
Guess this means we’ll see you at the Marine Corps Marathon 10K on 10/26/15?
Personally three weeks away from finishing my 35/70 goal, sort of leaning towards more 10K distances myself.
(35/70 is 35 Half Marathons before my 70th birthday in Feb. 2015, with 1st Half after age 60.)
See you on the trails!
Tom
I love the 10k too for many of the same reasons. The Zooma race is also one of my favorite. It was my first half ever a few years ago but also love the 10k dilemma indeed 🙂
Deborah Brooks recently posted…10 reasons to love a 10k
Lots of votes for 10ks, I may have to try more of them!
Coco recently posted…10 Reasons To Love 10 Mile Races
I’d go with the 10K. That distance is my nemesis – haven’t figured out how to pace it yet. I need to run more of them!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…I heart 10-mile races
I agree with Michelle – 10k pacing is HARD and I’m not so good at it. I vote 10k!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Blog Tip Tuesday: When Posts Go Viral
Yes! Love the 10Ks! Also my favorite (along with halfs). Totally agree with #2 and 3 – I don’t feel like I’m going to die at the end but don’t have to sprint all out. We need more 10Ks out there. Actually, New Orleans’ biggest race of the year is NOT Rock n Roll, but actually the Crescent City Classic 10K…over 20,000 participants. http://www.ccc10k.com
AMP runs recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Race Distance
The half marathon is my favorite distance. I think it is a good enough of a challenge without being to hard. I like the 10K too but when it is a choice between and half and 10K I will always go half.
Samantha@foodfitfamfriends recently posted…Hands-On-House Half Marathon Recap and Review
Tough call. The ZOOMA half is always a beast but I think the 10k course is definitely reasonable for a PR attempt! Happy running either way!
Lisa @ Lisa Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Race Recap: 2014 Gulf Beach Half Marathon
There definitely seem to be a lot of votes for the 10 k distance! All of those reasons really make sense. And if you’re always ready it seems like it would be easy to do these spur of the moment which could be difficult for longer distances.
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly Review
I am a Zooma Florida ambassador and they have added a 12K! Interesting to see what people will pick! I have run one 10K but I am now starting to pick some of the longer distances as I am progressing thru my training! I am thinking about Cape Cod!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…We have a Winner! and other highlights from my Summer!
Wow… 15 10k’s this year! You are pretty impressive! I mainly stick to half or full marathons, but always end up running a few 5k’s or 10k’s each year. Local 5k/10k races are my favorite 🙂
Amy @ Life to the Full recently posted…Race Report: Wild Hog Half Marathon 2014
I like that distance too! I love your medal display and I see we have some running shoes in common…lol
I only ever did one half and found the training such a huge commitment. 5 km is my easy distance!
Elle recently posted…Chocolate PB Frozen Protein Bites
So many great reasons to run a 10k! Not many races offer both a 10k and a half option, so I definitely understand your dilemma!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2014 Dulles Day 10k on the Runway Recap
I don’t mind a good 10K, but I have to say that the half marathon is my favorite distance. I need something big like that to keep me motivated to go out day after day to do the smaller distances. And I figure if I’m half marathon ready most of the year, then anytime a good 5K or 10K crop up, I don’t have to worry too much about it 🙂
Heather @ Divas Run for Bling recently posted…Cowgirl Up: The Women’s Running Half Marathon Nashville Recap
Sounds like a pretty good dilemma to me! I love both distances although a fast fun 10K is always perfect! Can you wait to choose until the race gets closer?
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Everyone should have one thing that they love to do.
I am not a 10K fan, I find myself not warming up until mile 5 or 6, so it’s a tough distance for me. I need to put the marathon training to the side and focus on shorter distanceS!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Foodie Pen Pals
I LOVE the half marathon distance. It can sometimes feel daunting and the training can truly suck at times but I always feel the reward is in the training and every time I cross the finish line, I feel so freaking accomplished (and I agree, race beer is crap).
Steph recently posted…Tracking my Activity with Runtastic Orbit
My favorite distance is the marathon, but I also love the 10K, and agree with your thoughts. It really is the perfect distance for fun and challenge!
Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…Diving With Stingrays
It doesn’t matter what distance race I’m doing, there’s always a point where I’ve had enough. It happens in 5ks, 10ks, half maras and full ones. I really don’t have a favourite distance though. It’s more the event – how well it’s run, the location and the people I’m running with.
Char recently posted…Leave No Man (Or Woman) Behind
I am a half marathon girl for sure. That is my pace, my happy spot. My distance.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…A Post Two and a Half Years in the Making
I will say that running 10K is a nice little compromise and sweet spot for me too. Long enough but short enough. Yup I agree.
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…POPSUGAR Select Blogger – Patti Murillo-Casa
Thumbs up for the 10k!
I’m right there with you, I love the 10k distance. But I love being able to brag about running a half, plus there’s that whole challenge yourself thing that feels more serious for a half. One of my big goals is to speed up my 10k time a LOT!
Yeah, the bragging rights… I’d miss those.
Ahh you had me tricked – I thought it would be the half 🙂 My favorite distances are 10/13.1, but I wouldn’t mind running more 10KS (although it takes awhile for me to warm up). Congratulations on your ambassadorship!
Jennifer recently posted…2014 PRR Perfect 10 Race Recap
Thanks! I’m just feeling lazy lately LOL.
I love the marathon distance. Just me and miles with some thousands of friends. Easy pace enough to enjoy the day, hard enough to come out with stories.
Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted…Ragnar Relay Napa Valley
Crazy girl! ;o)
I love the half distance but also love a 10k. Hate the 5k, go figure. Lol
5k’s involve too much pain LOL.
My favorite distance is 15 miles. I don’t think they have a race for that.
Jamoosh recently posted…Catching Up In Pictures (Mostly)
I’m sure we can find you one…