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Going (Half) the Distance (Read 936 times)

    I haven't completed a HM race yet (first one next month), longest run to date is 14.5 miles. All I know is that from where I started, 13.1 miles is an accomplishment to be proud of, and if (WHEN) the day comes that I complete my first marathon, I will be doubly proud. My take on the article is that the author trivializes the HM a bit (note the caption "Born to Sorta Run"). Maybe when I have a marathon finisher's medal I will feel the same about 26.2 vs. 13.1, but I certainly don't feel that way now.

    "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?" - Steven Wright

      i have a variety of finishers medals from all sorts of distances. but then i'm a firm believer that pretty much anyone can run a marathon if they put their mind to it. actually though i don't like this whole "longer is better" or "longer is harder" thing. is it harder to run a marathon than to run a half marathon well? i know for sure i'd find it easier to run a 4.40 marathon than a 1.40 half. or for that matter a 22 min 5k. sometimes i think we reach for the next distance up when trying for our next achievement simply because its easier than trying to go faster.
        sometimes i think we reach for the next distance up when trying for our next achievement simply because its easier than trying to go faster.
        Well said. At some point going faster becomes much, much harder than going longer.

        Runners run

          i have a variety of finishers medals from all sorts of distances. but then i'm a firm believer that pretty much anyone can run a marathon if they put their mind to it. actually though i don't like this whole "longer is better" or "longer is harder" thing. is it harder to run a marathon than to run a half marathon well? i know for sure i'd find it easier to run a 4.40 marathon than a 1.40 half. or for that matter a 22 min 5k. sometimes i think we reach for the next distance up when trying for our next achievement simply because its easier than trying to go faster.
          I agree... Your comment helps me to confirm all of my recent thoughts with my various running goals.
          Well said. At some point going faster becomes much, much harder than going longer.
          Yes! My 5k goal of 21 minutes has been out of my reach for much longer than any other goal I've had.

          Michelle



            Well said. At some point going faster becomes much, much harder than going longer.
            If your JUST looking to go longer true. BUT if your looking go LONGER FASTER well that's another story.

            Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson


            Why is it sideways?

              If your JUST looking to go longer true. BUT if your looking go LONGER FASTER well that's another story.
              I dunno, Pam. I just posted the following on another message board, and I think it speaks to the question at hand. Since my name came up earlier, and at the risk of sounding like an elitist jerk, I'll state my opinion. What's essential about the difficulty of the race and race preparation is the intentions behind the race, not the distance of the race.
              It all depends on your goals. I spent 6 years chasing sub 15 in the 5k. That's 6 years of progressive, cyclical training and approximately 70 all-out attempts at the distance. In comparison to that effort, my recent marathon training has been recreational. If you are looking to run to your potential in either event, the quality and quantity of work is going to be comparable. Sure, in marathon training, you spend more time running. But in 5k training, you've got to lift, do drills, and deal with more intensity--the quantity of training is still there (as much as your body can handle without breaking down), but it is distributed over different types of work. Frankly, for me, marathon training is psychologically easier because I get to spend more time doing what I love--just rolling down the road. But maybe that's because I've never seriously trained for the marathon, and whatever moderate success I've had is based in large part on the effort I put in chasing my 5k goals.
                I dunno, Pam. I just posted the following on another message board, and I think it speaks to the question at hand. Since my name came up earlier, and at the risk of sounding like an elitist jerk, I'll state my opinion. What's essential about the difficulty of the race and race preparation is the intentions behind the race, not the distance of the race.
                I totally agree!! My goal of my first marathon was to finish and finish with my husband next to me. My highest milage week was like 41 but I was as low as 19. I did absolutely NO speedwork, I was just out to get some milage in so that I could finish. This time I'm giving EVERYTHING to my training. I'm eating, drinking and sleeping training. I have a goal, I even have a secret goal for one of my 3 marathons this fall. Considering what limited time I have for running with family and home to deal with, I can't imagine I could give much more!

                Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson


                Why is it sideways?

                  Now that I re-read your post, I'm not sure why I said I was disagreeing. Ah well. Such is the message board world. Maybe someone out there in virtual land disagrees. Maybe not. I think you need to work more on your abs. Big grin
                    i agree pam - if you are looking to go longer and faster at the same time then that would be harder than just trying to go faster (obviously!) but how many people ever do that? your upcoming marathon isn't longer and faster - its just faster - you've already done a marathon.
                    What's essential about the difficulty of the race and race preparation is the intentions behind the race, not the distance of the race.
                    Couldn't agree more.
                      Now that I re-read your post, I'm not sure why I said I was disagreeing. Ah well. Such is the message board world. Maybe someone out there in virtual land disagrees. Maybe not. I think you need to work more on your abs. Big grin
                      such is the message board world! I'm sure there are many people who disagree.I just happen to be the type of person who wants to do the best I can PERIOD! If you haven't figured it out by now I'm not into doing things half a$$ed. As for bettering my abs, marathon training is taking my focus right now. I'll get back to the abs and rest of my body AFTER I've done Philadelphia!

                      Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson


                      Why is it sideways?

                        As for bettering my abs, marathon training is taking my focus right now. I'll get back to the abs and rest of my body AFTER I've done Philadelphia!
                        Pam. I was joking.
                          i agree pam - if you are looking to go longer and faster at the same time then that would be harder than just trying to go faster (obviously!) but how many people ever do that? your upcoming marathon isn't longer and faster - its just faster - you've already done a marathon. .
                          True. Of course I started running and ran my first marathon within 7 months. HOWEVER I haven't ran that distance since my marathon in 2005. Believe me doing a marathon doesn't always make it any easier the second time around!

                          Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson

                            Pam. I was joking.
                            And so was I (at least about my abs maybe not the rest of my body) lmao. I haven't done ab work in AGES Tongue Guess I should of just said " I'll get right on that" Tongue

                            Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson

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