So….yes I wrote a post last week about running being hard for me right now and it still is. Having said that, fall is my favorite time of year for running and racing as the weather is usually just perfect here in the DC area. I roped a few friends into signing up for the Marine Corps Marathon 10K this weekend and I am writing this post today to remind me why the 10K is one of my favorite distances to run. Today I offer you 6.2 reasons to love a 10K.
6.2 Reasons to Love A 10K
Normally you can sign up last minute and pick up your race packet day of.
10K races are usually stress free and easy with logistics.
You do not have to be fast
Lots of people walk a 10K and there are always groups of walk/runners as well.
6.2 miles is a doable training distance for most
Most runners can train for a 10K with 2-3 runs per week and long runs are not required. Training does not have to take over your life on the weekends.
Recovery is pretty easy
Most runners recover pretty easily from a 10K and are not down for the count the whole next week.
Great training for longer races
10K’s can be great training for longer races and the perfect time to test out new gear or nutrition options.
10K’s are easy to talk your friends into
I am so easily talked into 10K races.
10K races are just long enough to feel like you had a great workout
10K races are somewhere right around an hour give or take and that’s just long enough to justify getting up early and your post race hot chocolate.
Next up on my race calendar:
MCM 1oK- October 30
On Eagles Wings 10K-November 11
Bethesda Turkey Chase 10K- November 24
There are so many reasons to love a 10K and these are just a few of my top. Tell me: What is your favorite race distance and why?
Linking up with
Workout Wednesday: AnnMarie, Nicole, Michelle, jen
Coaches Corner: Suz, Debbie, Lora, Rachel,
I love the 10k distance for many of the reasons you said. At this point, I don’t specifically train for 10ks but it’s a manageable distance for me so I can throw one on my schedule when I’m getting bored or need something different. The 10ks in my area usually have pretty cool courses. And like you said, it doesn’t take forever so you can still do more with your day when you’re done running!
yes exactly!
I LOVE a 10k! You can be super serious about it, or you can have fun with it, but it also thins out the more recreational runners (who I adore, but generally stick to the 5k), so that you have an easier time navigating. Love a 10k!
Yes so true! We have a lot of them this time of year so I am hoping that is what gets my running back in gear
I do love 10ks. I have not done a stand alone 10k in years. Putting it on the list!! They can also be super tough. By me the 10k is usually done on the same course as a 5k so you have to navigate the bigger group. But it is a great distance. Thanks for sharing!
Yes sometimes you do have to navigate around a bigger group at the start. It is 10K season around here for sure
There’s a new update for Pokemon Go out that may actually make me go for this–granted, the perks of walking/running farther distances only extends til next week, but it just might be the jumpstart I need! 😛 It would be a nice workout! I hope you have fun on your upcoming runs! <3
I never jumped on the Pokemon go thing but what a great idea!
10k’s are a lot of fun. Half the time I do not get in a good enough groove when I run a 5k. I am actually running a 10 this weekend with a friend.
I don’t get into a groove in a 5k either and I am not fast enough so 10K’s feel like more of a challenge to me.
The 10K is a great distance!! Sadly, there aren’t a ton around here. Have a great time this weekend!
Thanks! This time of year we have tons so I have to take advantage
I ran a couple local 10ks this summer (I always do them) and they reminded me of how much I like that distance. 6 miles is my go-to training distance anyways, and it’s fun to race it!
Good luck this weekend!
My first couple races ever were 10k, and I still love the distance. For a while they were hard to find, but I’m happy that they seem to be making a comeback (probably for all the reasons you mention!). Thanks for linking up!
Me too! We have a ton of them in the fall so I have to take advantage
I’m doing my very first organized 10K this weekend! Can’t wait!
OH yay have a wonderful time! Look forward to reading about it
These are some really great points. Generally 10K is my least favorite distance, but that’s only because I tend to get my pacing all wrong. I start out at my 5K pace and quickly realize it’s too fast for me to maintain, haha. I do enjoy them overall though!
Since I am not really fast, I tend to settle into a 10k a little better.
Great post and great reasons! I love running 10ks and I’ll be out there at MCM on Sunday!
Hope to see you out there! Good luck and hope you have a great race
I really do love the 10km distance but I so rarely sign up for them. Usually because there is a half marathon that coincides and I always choose that.
I find that half distance so much more doable! This time of year we have a ton of them around here
I’m loving the 10k distance because it’s still a challenge, but doesn’t eat up my whole weekend with a run plus recovery. I’m still coming back from injury, but the distance is good to keep me going.
Yes! That is exactly how I feel
I really need to run more of this distance. I tend to shy away from them because I approach them like a 5k (and that just hurts!). I do like the distance though. My daily runs are usually 5 or 6 miles anyway. You’d think I’d jump on these races. Good luck this weekend!
Yes I would think you would! And thanks
Aw I love this and I love 10ks! I wish there were more of them around where I live!
We tend to have a bunch in October and November. I am hoping it’s just what I need to get me back feeling good
Nice that you’ve got a few 10K’s coming up! I really enjoy the distance, though we don’t have enough of them around here in Philly! Hope you enjoy the MCM 10K!
I’m surprised! We have a lot in October & November
I’ve only done one 10K!! I need to do more of them. I think that my almost 13 year old son wants to try to do one, so we will probably do the santa 10k together soon…. I do prefer a 10K to a 5K… I like to do a 5K with family / friends, but it is honestly too short to be worth the driving and parking and bib pickup….
Yes it really too short for the hassle!
I love 10k races as they are eno ugh to challenge me and exhaust me at the same time when I go all out (for a PB). I try to be always ready to run a 10k or at least in shape for one.
Yes exactly my thoughts!
We don’t have a lot of 10k’s in our area, I’m not sure why that is because I do think it could become my favorite distance.
If I stay in fairly good shape I think I could pull off a 10k any weekend of the month. That is appealing to me.
That’s what I really like about them. I try to keep a 6 mile base so I can do that. We have a bunch this time of year.
Yes! I love a 10K for all those reasons!
Me too! Hope you find one to jump into soon
Hi!!!!!
It’s been a while..sorry about that ;(
I couldn’t agree more!! Since my knee arthritis has been acting up 5ks and 10ks have been my go to races. Just enough of a push and challenge but saves the knee from after run pain!
I will be there on Sunday…hope to see you!
Oh fabulous I hope I see you! I think I am wearing my superwoman costume so I will be hard to miss 🙂 Have a great time
I love the 10k distance! I did the MCM 10k last year and really enjoyed it 🙂
I heard it was great last year but they have changed the course oh well! Should be fun anyways
Great post! There are so many great things about a 10k! They are my favorite distance to race. I need to find some more for next year!
Cheers to you while you get your mojo back!!
Thanks! I am hoping signing up for all of these will spur my running to come back
The 10K is the perfect training run distance for me. If I just want to get out and go for a run, 6.2 miles just seems perfect.
It really does for me too!
I love the 10K distance because it’s a great training run distance. I feel like it incorporates well into half marathon and triathlon training plans. Plus, why not earn some BLING running a 10K on a Saturday morning when you’re training run would have been 6+ miles anyway!
My thoughts exactly!! 🙂
I love 10 ks too because they are actually DOABLE!!! HA HA! I do them + some every day! 😉
They are do able!
I love and agree with all of your points about the 10k!
Racing them can be hard, but running them is FUN!
Absolutely!!
I don’t love 10Ks but I do like them for the treasons you mentioned!
LOl love your typo 🙂 he he
Love all your reasons and agree with many of them.
While the Marathon is my favorite distance, believe it or not the 10k is my second favorite distance. For many of the same reasons you listed above, it’s just long enough you can feel like you had a good run, but not too long to really tire you out much, you can push as hard as you want and not have to worry about bonking and not being able to finish. Or you can run as slow as you want and enjoy the social aspect of them.
10k’s are great! Good luck in the Marine Corps this weekend!!!
Thanks so much! Looking forward to it
Those are great reasons to love the 10K distance! I would say my favorite distance is dependent on the day but it either a 10K, 15K, or 10 Mile. I like that a 10k is really managable and a ton of training isn’t needed. I actually can’t recall my last 10K it may have been August of last year.
Maybe it’s time for another one!
I love 10K’s as well, but the 13.1 is still my favorite…it has just that little bit “extra” oomph of challenge in it (and usually a medal LOL). I agree, 10K’s are achievable for runners of all abilities (and experience levels).
They usually give out medals for 10K’s now as well extra bonus!
I agree with you, the 10k is a perfect distance for feeling like you’ve gotten a really great workout but its so not far that you feel like it takes over your day just to be able to finish the distance.
Yes exactly!!
Love this! I’m still usually doing the 5K with the girls unless there’s a kids run but usually they do both. After the last 2 years of them doing back to back 5K races (literally with only 20 minutes to get from one to the other) I’m thinking we will up it to some 10Ks for the family, or me and the girls if hubby is doing half or marathons. We need to up our game so we can run Disney in a few years as a family, when A is a little older but before S graduates!
I love that you all do races together!
Oh, wow. I didn’t realize you were doing the MCM 10K. The only 10K I do is LH, and you know I love to hate that race!
Oh, wow. I didn’t realize you were doing the MCM 10K. The only 10K I do is LH, and you know I love to hate that race!
Maybe you will do another one with me?!
I love 10Ks and half marathons (and everything in between). It’s such a good distance – not too little, not too much. They are really few and far between here, so I try to sign up for them when I can.
This time of the year we tend to have a bunch so I like to take advantage
Haha I love your clever title for this post, and I agree with your reasons! I feel like 5ks are everywhere, and I don’t always want to commit to a 13.1, so a 10k is the perfect distance. I wish I could find more of them!
I don’t know why they don’t have more of them!
10Ks are great! Not too long but long enough to make up any pacing mistakes
Yes exactly!
I don’t know of many 10k races in my area but it’s nice to know you can walk them. Because that’s what I’d have to do. LOL Wish I could run but unfortunately it’s just not for me. Good luck on your races and have fun!
It’s not for everyone and walking is sure an option and thank you!
A 10K really is an awesome race distance! So much less recovery, too! 🙂
Yes exactly!
That’s so true!! You don’t have to be fast, you could totally walk at your own pace 🙂
absolutely!
Good reasons! Does the Marine Corps 10K allow you to pick up packet day of? I’m running the marathon and planning to go to the Expo on Friday just to get it done with early. Enjoy the 10k this weekend!
No unfortunately! The packet pick up is at the same expo and it is really inconvenient. Usually for a 10K things are not so complicated. Hope you have an amazing race this weekend!
Good luck on your race this weekend! I love the 10K distance too. I’m thinking of signing up for a 10K trail run in December… this may have pushed me over the edge!
peer pressure!
I can’t imagine doing something like this but I have all the respect for the people who do. I don’t do much running anymore but lately I love more static exercises at the gym to build some muscle. Have a good day!
I love my gym workouts too! So important for women as we age
10ks are my favorite distance! I just wish there were more!
I know so do I! This time of the year we have a bunch so I am going to take advantage
Surprisingly I have never run a 10K race! I have only done 5k, half and fulls- I need to sign up for some 10Ks but whenever a race also has a half I tend to go for that. You are convincing me to switch it up- I;m like you- easily talked into racing lol!
I know peer pressure!
I really do like all distances, except the marathon, which I haven’t tried so I don’t really know. They all have their challengs & payoffs.
I like that 10k is just long enough to feel challenging, but not so long that I need to spend months training for one. I like that I don’t need to carry food & water!
You are lucky to have sooooo many available in your area. They’re scarce around here.
Yes to all of those reasons! We do have a bunch of them especially in the fall so I am taking advantage while I can
Ya know… there are only 2 10Ks in Asheville and they are both in Jan/Feb… so I’ve only done one 10K and that one I traveled for (Cooper River Bridge Run!) I wish there were more because it is such a good distance.
Sometimes you get that rare warmer weekend in Jan or Feb so you never know!
I agree with those reasons. The 10k is short enough that you don’t have to train for months – you can run and still have fun doing it.
yes absolutely!
These are a great reasons to love a 10K and I do, but my favorite distance is 13.1…
That is a great one too just a little harder to do as often for me
“that’s just long enough to justify getting up early and your post race hot chocolate” <<< haha! I feel like this would be my thoughts exactly 😉
I've never run a race at all! I was planning on running a 10K earlier this year across the harbour bridge as I had tickets from a client but then it didn't end up working out!
lol hey whatever gets you there!
Haha, JUST long enough… I think they are about 5.2 miles too long 😉 JK. I did a few 10ks, but slacked off since having a baby last year, I should get back in to them – thanks for making it seem doable 🙂
I think that gives you a pass for a little while! Congrats on the new babe 🙂
10Ks are my favorite distance for a lot of the reasons you listed. They always feel like a legitimate workout without ruining me the next day!
Yes exactly!
I’m a walker so I like doing 5Ks 🙂
They are lots of fun too!
I love a 10K too! So much fun & still a big accomplishment! I have one next weekend- good luck!
I love 10ks! I had never done one until 2 years ago and really enjoyed it. It’s not too short and not too long. I cant wait until this marathon is over so I can re-focus on shorter distances again 🙂
Yes exactly! Enjoy your race next week