Try to Set These Running Goals (Which Are Not Marathon Related)
You did it. You’ve run 5 km, or a half marathon, or maybe even the proverbial full marathon. Congratulations! So now what?
If you are a runner, it often seems like the natural (or only) activity is to keep running further and further. But there are many different ways to move forward. Different races require different training; for example, here is our guide (read: showdown) on 5K races versus marathons . Also, there is no rule that progress is only measured by tacks per mile by mile until you cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon.
As a marathon runner, I can give many reasons not to sign up for them. This is a wonderful waste of time. There is an increased risk of injury (my self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis is now a part of me). You will annoy your friends and family with your inability to shut up about your marathon, how time-consuming it is, and that you have (self-diagnosed) plantar fasciitis.
Let’s say you know you don’t want to run a marathon. Here are other runs and goals that will get the runner off track and give more value to your miles.
Run your fastest mile
Running a mile is still considered an endurance competition, but it will give you the opportunity to focus on speed work to get stronger and faster. Can you imagine telling yourself in high school that you not only enjoy running a mile, but that you are going to pay for it?
For that distance and all the others listed here, try using race search sites like this one to subscribe to the one closest to you.
Climb 5 km (3.1 miles)
From your New Year’s decision to get off the couch to your local Native American lynx nine months later, 5K is one of the most popular distances for runners of all levels. As with the mile race, there are many benefits to reducing your distance goals and working on speed instead. If you’re used to logging longer runs, 5k can provide you with the bandwidth to focus on fast work , which can lead to faster times if / when you return longer distances.
Cruise in 10 km (6.2 miles)
In all respects other than personality, I am an impressive average runner. Ten kilometers is the perfect race for me to be as comfortable as possible on average. For me, 6.2 miles is the ideal distance to go a little far, a little fast.
Sure, you can push yourself into this race, for example a mile or 5K, but if you are like me, this is an opportunity to use your mental toughness from long distances without feeling pressured to sprint all the time. I would classify ten miles in the same mental category (with a few more miles of achievement, of course).
Find an odd distance race
Have you ever heard of 8k, 15k or 25k? The main plus of the unusual distance racing is that if you’ve never tried it before, this is a guaranteed personal best. Signing up for a more casual race can also put you side-by-side with runners like you, freaks out there who are looking for something new and know the marathon isn’t over.
Complete an obstacle or themed race
Running is not enough for you? Are you looking for something legendary, something vibrant, something … epic? Luckily for you, Runner’s World recently updated their obstacle course race list to check them out. If you haven’t heard of famous events like Spartan Race or Tough Mudder, obstacle course runs are exactly what they look like – racecourses with monkey bars, mud pits and all kinds of inventive roadblocks to overcome along the way. In addition to the new strengths and psychological challenges you’ll find, these activities are a great chance to get a group of friends together, whether you’re planning everything to compete or just trying your best to finish.
Join a running club
News: Racing isn’t the only source of motivation. Find a community of like-minded people, meet new people and explore your area with new eyes with a group of fellow runners. You can find local working groups through running apps like Strava or Facebook (if that’s still what people call these days ).
Find the right running target
Don’t try to run on a linear track that feels like you need to accelerate and move on until you become a record ultramarathon runner. You don’t have to race to be called a runner. My current goal is to learn to run without listening to music, which has proven to be a show of fortitude more challenging than any distance I’ve covered before.
There is no limit to what your miles mean to you. You run because you love to run – it’s that simple.