Happy Friday everyone! Today I’ll be linking up with Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?! Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC and Mar from Mar on the Run for Friday Five to talk about 5 reasons to run a 5k
1. It’s less time consuming.
You know how when I was training for my half marathon, I had to do long runs every Sunday? Well after a 2 hour slow long run and then stretching and ice bath/hot bath-ing, more than half of my day would be gone! When training for a 5k whether it be your first or not, you don’t have to spend most of your Sunday running then being tired.
2. Fitness/Speed
Training for a 5k is a great way to boost your fitness/speed. Focusing on speedwork 100×5 200×5 400×5 on the track does wonders! I’m not saying that you can’t do these for half-marathons and marathons but interval training will do wonders for your 5k time AND weight as it requires strength, speed, power, and endurance.
3. It’s Cheaper
Usually. Usually you can find a local 5k for maybe $20 whereas longer races usually cost a lot more. This way, if something happens and you’re not able to make it to the race, you’re not slapped with “I paid $100 for this!”
4. It’s Cheaper again!
Do you need to stock up on gels, shotblocks, fancy fuel belts, and hydration packs? Nope! You rarely need any of this stuff so you’re saving yourself hundreds of bucks here! $3 per shotblock a week x 20 weeks to train for a half marathon = $60 + my fuel belt that I hate! = $110 + whatever else other people usually buy = $$$$! (I try to go the minimal route but I know people who needs at least 5 gels for the half = $2.40 x 5 = $12/long run!)
5. It’s harder
Racing a 5k, you have to leave it all on the course. There’s nowhere to hide behind. It’s a short race so you can’t spend 1-2k slowly warming up to your race pace. You gotta get out there and just go for it. The room for error is less than a longer race since it’s harder to make up the time later compared to a half marathon where you can go for negative splits.
So tell me, what’s your reason to run a 5k? Or a 10k, half-marathon, or a marathon? 🙂
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<3 Carmy
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I agree with all of these – especially #1 and 5 – the 5K is short but mighty race. I can barely talk during a 5K, but during a half and most likely NYC, I can probably talk at any point (might have a few more swear words though).
I would also say, from training for a marathon that injuries are less frequent. Lauren Fleshman said the same thing in RW a few issues ago. I never had an issue with my IT band or hip issues with 5K training. Then half and full marathon training = lots of hurts. You can still get injured from a 5K, but I think it does less of a toll on the body!
Carmy
I chatted through my half marathon! If I tried that during a 5k I might die haha
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine
There are definitely lots of good reasons to run a 5k like you mentioned! I always prefer the longer distances but that’s just because I am crazy:) I think it would be good to focus on shorter distances at some point..maybe…
Michael Anderson
Fun list – definitely true about ‘cheaper’. Not so sure about harder … but definitely a more focused effort!
I love my weekend long runs … but I also run pretty long on weekdays. I enjoy the time and consider it an investment in myself – I never use the word ‘training’ … that sounds like WORK! 🙂
I definitely want to do some 5Ks next year, of course depending on the kids schedule … they scare me a bit because I am in my comfort zone for the long runs. Funny that I don’t give a second thought to running 15+ miles on a weekend, but doing 3.1? Scary 😉
Carmy
LOL! Nothing scares you Michael! Don’t lie to me 😉 I know what you mean though. when doing short training runs there’s so much more pressure to nail it than a easy long run!
Jenny @ TurtleStride
Great list. 5Ks are certainly cheaper and a great challenge.
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Love that it is a short race. Gotta love races you can finish in 30mins.
HJ
Number 5 is so right on. A 5K sounds like a throw away race but it is killer when you really race it. I ran my first 5K in ages last year and I was humbled! Great list!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub
I have actually never raced a 5km. I’ve done some 5km fun runs but that’s it. It definitely would be cheaper but I know how hard racing that distance is so I think it scares me a bit.
Carmy
Time to sign up for one! They’d scary but they really push your limit and I usually feel great after one!
Amy Lauren
I agree that racing a 5K is much harder than running a half marathon. Racing in general is really, really, hard. The longer endurance runs like 20 milers just wipe you out completely, and the recovery is hard :(.
With the injuries, my only actual running injury happened when training for a 10K, but since I focus on shorter distances, I’ve not had as many niggles and issues as I did for the marathon I ran last year. The whole time I was marathon training (and I use the term training losely), I felt like I was a few steps away from really injuring myself. I was always sore and hurt. Now, I’m running 35-40 miles a week with zero issues, racing 5Ks, and enjoying it :).
Carmy
yes! I was always so tired by the end of a long run that my form would be compromised and that is how my injuries started!
Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill
I’ve only run one 5k, it was my first race and I thought I might pass out at the end. I’ve been thinking I might try to incorporate more of them into my routines and call them speedwork!
Carmy
Haha I know right?! I do happily run a long 21k run but race a 5k? It hurts to do well!
Jennifer
I do like that 5Ks are more wallet friendly 🙂
Carmy
they are! especially super cheap local ones!
Crystal
oh wow 5K I don’t think I have ever run a 5K “race.” Maybe one day 🙂 Great points though!