I’m linking up with the trio Erika, Patty and April for Tuesdays on the run. This week they are discussing favorite race distances. I just completed my first double this weekend 5k/10k Clarendon Day run. It was so wacky yet so much fun. We first ran the 5k then had to walk back up a hill 1.4 miles to the start for the 10k. Ran the 10k then again walked back up the hill 1.4 to the start and after party. Who does that? I do! Woo Hoo! While running this weekend I was thinking about why I love 10k’s.
1. It’s so easy to talk your friends into a 10k
2. It is pretty doable distance to train for in a short time
3. There is very little drama and pressure before and during a 10k
4, Recovery is pretty easy from a 10k run
5. You can usually sign up last minute (thus #3 above)
6. A 10k is long enough to give you a sense of accomplishment
7. A 10k is short enough that you are not down for the count the rest of the day
8. You don’t have to be fast to do a 10K. Lots of people walk/run and that’s ok.
9. 10k’s are great training for longer races
10. Do a 10k and you can still justify dessert
What’s your favorite race distance?
My favorite will always be the half! Or maybe an ultra? Both!
I can’t imagine doing an Ultra! I do love the half as well it just takes a little more out of me 🙂
I actually love the 10k. And for many of the reasons that you mentioned! I think my fave RACE distance would be the 10 miler or half. Long enough to train for, short enough to put some speed for in the end.
I love the 10M too and the half they just take a little more out of me and leave me with a longer recovery. Who has speed at the end??!!
These are great reasons. I usually only do the Lawyers Have Heart 10K and I hate that course. Maybe it’s skewing my opinion of 10ks!
Funny that’s the one 10k I’ve never done!
Ha, Coco – that one is usually hella hot. If I ran that, I’d hat the 10k too LOL.
Ha that’s why I didn’t do it this past summer!
Great timing – I ran the Perfect 10K this past weekend and I would love to add more to my schedule next year (my favorite distances are the 10 miler and half)
I do love the those too they just take a little more out of me. See you at Army 10M?
As you saw from my post today, I’m a fan of the 10K as well…
It’s a great distance to always be in shape for.
5K is definitely my favorite distance because I don’t have to train for it and I constantly try to improve my time. 🙂
Ha ha that’s my least favorite bc it usually takes me a few miles to warm up. Also I feel like if I am going to get up and get my butt somewhere I might as well run longer 🙂
I understand. My boss runs marathons constantly and she feels the same way. LOLOL!!
🙂
All good reasons! You forgot about jumping in front of elites 😛 I agree about the sense of accomplishment though, 10ks are tough, anyone who does them should be proud!
Although 10k for me is not a very happy distance, in college, I obsessed about running under 34:00 my junior year, and pushed myself WAAAAYYYY too hard, and fell to the ground TWICE going down the finishing straight…..of course at one of the races they were filming……awesome! Means it has some bad memories attached. I am hoping I can say marathon in a few weeks 🙂
oh that’s a video to keep for future laughs right!? Wow that’s an awfully fast 10k pace! And yes I did forget to add the photo bomb pic!
My favorite distance is till the hlaf marathon. It challenges me just enough! A 10 K is a good distance to but I think I just like the loinger races.
I like half races too just feel like they take a little more out of me!
Great list! And you’re so right that it’s much easier to get a friend to run a 10K than longer distances. My fave distance is the 10-miler!
Absolutely! I have the Army 10 miler coming up next week so we’ll see how that goes 🙂
I love running 10ks for all the reasons that you mentioned, especially since its long enough to make you feel accomplished yet short enough that the race and recovery don’t eat up your entire day.
Totally agree! Looks like you had a fun one too!
I love the 10K! I have only run one so far but it was in Austin and it was a hilly one! I just signed up for my second one in November! I am ready for it! You can talk your friends into it much easier and you are still in a party mood when you finish! Sounds like you had a great time! Congrats!
Absolutely true! Good luck with yours next month. I have a new one coming up in Nov too.
lol… I love the one about it being easy to talk your friends into a 10k! And of course that it justifies going for dessert 🙂
Totally! And I can usually find some justification for chocolate 🙂
I didn’t realize that both of those races where on the same day! Wow. It’s like the runners World hat trick!
Oh I guess it is! It was lots of fun and a first for me. Great training for the Army 10 miler next month
I do 10k +s every day!!!! They’re the BESTEST way to start the day! 🙂
Every day huh? Wow!
i love 10 milers but have a special place in my heart for 10ks for all the reasons you mentioned 🙂
I really love them all!
My favorite distance is hands down the half marathon (even if it does take me 3.5 hours to finish one). It requires just enough training for me to force myself to get in and stay in shape without taking any extra time out of my life for the full marathon. And by being ready for a half, I can pretty much do any race that may crop up 🙂
Doesn’t matter how long it takes us as long as we do them right!?
Love the 10K! It’s just the right distance and easier to train for. Half marathons and Marathons take so much time out of your day, especially when doing long runs. When training for a 10K it isn’t as time consuming.
Totally agree! Efficient for sure
My favorite race distance is either 10K or a half marathon because I always feel like I get a good chance to settle into a running rhythm and then can drop my splits for the last couple of miles!
I agree. It really takes me a few miles to warm up and settle in myself.
Funny, the 10K is one of my least favorite distances because it’s the most challenging for me to run well. I like the distance per se but it’s the distance that I’ve never seen much improvement in. Maybe it’s time to change that!
Interesting that’s the first time I’ve heard that. It is challenging as are all runs right? Thanks for stopping by!
My favorite distance is the marathon, and probably always will be:) However that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a great 10k on occasion, they are a really fun distance to run!
I haven’t done a full marathon and not really sure I ever want to-but who knows?! I do enjoy a few half races each year.
While I most definitely enjoy 10K’s, my favorite is the half marathon! A fun distance with a great sense of accomplishment, but training doesn’t take up all your time either!
I do love to do a couple of half races each year but they are much harder and kind of leave me wiped for a day or two.
I haven’t tried a 10k, but it’s something I would like to do 🙂
I hope you! They are fun and not so stressful.
I actually don’t like the 10K. I don’t feel warmed up until mile 5 or 6 now!
It usually takes me about 3 miles. I think the longer you run the longer it takes to warm up. Are you doing Army 10?
I am! It will be my first Army 10 miler!
I did it last year and loved it! See you there
I am starting to think race directors need to take note of all these posts about 10k being a favorite distance. The only one we have locally is a Turkey Trot. I think that the 5k market is kind of oversaturated and some new 10ks would do really well. Thanks for linking up with us today!
You’re right! There must be 10 5k’s on any given weekend. We do have quite a few 10k’s in the fall around DC so I like to get them in while I can. Fun linking up today!
I really like 10ks for many of the same reasons – I get a sense of accomplishment without needing days to recover! In fact, I’m running a 10k this weekend and am really looking forward to it.
Awesome hope you have a good race! I am doing another one in November. Addictive huh?
Great points. I’ve only done one 10K, but all points valid.
They are easy to train for!
YES to all those reasons! I love 10k’s too- it is both my favorite race distance and my favorite distance to run when I am training!
Yes me too! 🙂
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.
Running a marathon doesn’t sound easy to me!
I agree! It’s not as of a killer like the 5k is, but you still feel you got a good workout in. I actually ran a 10k last weekend!
They are tons of fun! I have another coming up in a few weeks. They are great with the fall weather.
I love 5 and 10Ks for all of the reasons you listed. I like the idea of being able to race, but get the run done quickly and have time in your day to do other things.
Yes I feel like it is hard enough for a workout but doesn’t have me looking for my bed afterwards 🙂
My favorite distance is either the half marathon or a 10K! I love them for all the reasons listed above. There is VERY little drama with a 10K 🙂 And I don’t feel like I am done for the rest of the day!
Absolutely! It’s very doable for sure
Totally agree with all of this. Love a 10k!
Me too! Thanks for stopping by the blog. Do you have a race coming up?
I agree the 10K is the perfect distance! Not too far, but still a decent challenge! I think my favorite race thus far was a 10K but that was more because the volunteers were AMAZING and it was for such a good cause and my heart was so happy to be running. 🙂 And of course I wasn’t dying the next day lol!
The volunteers do make a difference. I did a Race for the Cure 10k last summer-hardest course ever but the cause made it so worth it.Thanks for checking out the blog. Hope to see you again 🙂
I love 5K’s for the family as even my youngest (now 5) can do them with us! She has been running with us the whole time since last year and we go at her pace, usually breaking it up if possible now for her sister’s pace. Next year my oldest wants to do more 10Ks so we have to figure out logistics as my husband usually runs the longer races and his pace and I have the girls. I’m looking forward to when we can all run longer races together, but not wishing time to pass quickly as my girls are already growing too quick!
Ha tell me about it-my baby girl is a senior in High School-goes by way too fast. Enjoy!
The 5k/10k combo sounds fun – and challenging! I love the 10k, too, for many of the reasons you listed. Not quite as guns-a-blazing fast as a 5k but still a chance to test your speed. I enjoy the half marathon, but when racing one, I focus more on simply finishing than really finessing a race plan.
I agree- I do enjoy a half a few times a year but always hope I can just make it through ok. Thanks for stopping by!