25 replies to this topic

[runningphysio]

What do you think is the perfect distance? Is it the 100m, the ultimate display of raw power and speed? The 800m where the anaerobic threshold is pushed to the limit? The mile - long considered the blue ribbon event of the track events, perfectly blending speed and endurance? The marathon, easily considered the ultimate endurance event by the average joe and bathed in history? Or is the ultramarathon, considered by many "runners" the ultimate race/distance as it simply allows them to....run?

Whats your perfect distance and why?

[KiaKaha]

how long is a piece of string lol

[ChrisMac]

Well, if it's just a voting thing, I'm going to nominate the 400m.  Short enough to keep you at the highest intensity, long enough to test your endurance.  And very funny to watch out of shape people like me run it.

[KiaKaha]

lol chris yeah my 400 is hilarious too

id say for me mentally id like to say ultra would love to do that 100km but for my body the half marathon.. You get a good amount of kms in the week to feel like your training and the distance is tough but you recover quicker than from a marathon

[Harryo]

As a spectator, I enjoy the 1500 - it has speed, tactics, and a little bit of endurance.  Herb Elliott, Coe,  Morcelli, El Guerrouj et al.

As a runner, my "best" distance is 21k.  This is based on my ability to race 21k and age group results.

As a runner, I enjoy the Marathon most (but I'm not that good at it).

harry

[KiaKaha]

as a spectator i like anthing on the track mens races. they just look so yummy

[johnnyboyrun]

i am still measuring that piece of string...

[KiaKaha]

lol its twice the length of it folded in half

[runningphysio]

Harryo I'm with you as far as being a spectator. Although i like the idea of a mile instead of 1500m. I just like the history behind the 4-min mile. Also the 800m is a favourite, particularly now that Rudisha is on fire. From a personal perspective, the longer the event the more natural it feels i reckon - probably obvious given my profile name....

[Stej]

johnnyboyrun, on 22 June 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

i am still measuring that piece of string...

Once you are done with measuring the string try measuring how deep / wide is a hole?
Anyway, probably 800 or 1500 to watch and 10km race as a participant.

[miners]

Always loved the 1500m & 10,000m in terms of spectator value.

Hated the 400m with a passion as an athlete

Personally, in training and on the rare occasions when it's available, I love the 5 mile distance (or ~8km).

[backofthepack]

42.195 km - just because!

[johnnyboyrun]

running from the Police

[lyricnz]

Agree. Marathon is the one for me.  But looking forward to keeping up with the WS100 online this weekend, even without Kilian.

[Mick]

10km - they hurt, but doesn't test stamina enough for me
Half - good balance of speed and endurance
Full - too conservative, spend 75% of the time waiting to see how you will feel at 30-35km

[Spud]

100m (miles)

but nobody should ever run a race where they are lapped by the sun

[Mile27]

Agree with Spud 100 mile  trail ultra -why ? So many reasons -  


Because - for the sharp end of the field it's not just about surviving , it's a race , one that ebbs and flows and normally the person that is strongest mentally wins. ( although that's probably true of any race but I think more so in ultra's)

Because where else can you become so connected to nature and so consumed by the simple act of running , a whole day goes by where nothing else matters, what will you do this afternoon, - run, what about tonight - still running, maybe tomorrow morning - still running , what about sleep - I'll be running , the normal world you live in world evaporates from your brain and all that's left is running and nature . Such a simple thing but one that can bring so much joy.

Because it tests you mentally beyond almost any other experience you can have. It's so easy to back the pace of because you think it's a fraction to fast - but is it , can you push yourself that little bit harder and stay with it for another 3, 6,  9 , 12 hours? How well can you push away the pain from your brain and maintain the pace - no other race tests you so completely , it uncovers any weaknesses , either physical or mental that you may have.

Because when you are running one and have one of those magic moments when you can't  feel your legs and you are flying at a pace that is far too fast but you feel like you can run forever , this doesn't happen in any other race.

Because you will experience so many emotions , from agony and helplessness to a feeling of invincibility , joy , bliss until you realise it's just running , nothing more and nothing less, and if you can find such joy in the simple things in life then life becomes a happier place to be in.

Because when you finish you feel different than before, you see things in a different light, you feel a disconnection with modern life and all its trappings but at the same time more connected with the earth and people and the simpler things in life. You sit down and marvel at the setting sun, the moon, the stars feeling insignificant but also that you are part of something bigger than just your own life.

.. Then again maybe that's just me ;-)

[Spud]

Beautifully put Mile27, nothing compares..

[speedmeup]

For the spectator?  .. the Mile, coming into the last 200m there are usually several still in the game . . damned exiting to watch.

For the runnner? ..  21km, short enough to be able to have a fast crack at it .. long enough to deserve some respect.

For the saddists .. ? .. The ultra or the Iron-man. . a world of hurt and mental toughness. A pure dosage of self-inflicted pain.

[Uncle Dave]

42.195km. Nothing else matters.

[brewer]

For me it would be 20/21.1Km, either straight up or off the bike.

[JolyV]

as a spectator i like 100, 1000 and 1500 m

[iRonnie]

Mile27, on 22 June 2012 - 07:09 PM, said:

Because you will experience so many emotions , from agony and helplessness to a feeling of invincibility , joy , bliss until you realise it's just running , nothing more and nothing less, and if you can find such joy in the simple things in life then life becomes a happier place to be in.

Because when you finish you feel different than before, you see things in a different light, you feel a disconnection with modern life and all its trappings but at the same time more connected with the earth and people and the simpler things in life. You sit down and marvel at the setting sun, the moon, the stars feeling insignificant but also that you are part of something bigger than just your own life.

.. Then again maybe that's just me ;-)

I don't know but i feel like that walking along the beach with my dear wife or running in the forest for the sake of running in the forest.  The advantage of a sook's low pain threshold .

[halfwaydown]

for viewing - 800m, 1500m + 3000m steeplechase for the sheer peculiarity of it, all that's missing is fancy dress.
for running - there is something very complete about a marathon (though I'd have prefered it had been 36km)

[Anne Victor]

Uncle Dave, on 22 June 2012 - 09:08 PM, said:

42.195km. Nothing else matters.

Totally agree.

[i555i666wHeretic]

The perfect distance could have been a distance that tests your "single" gear: maximum power OR anaerobic endurance OR aerobic (e.g. when running at ~ anaerobic threshold) OR mental endurance.

"Pure sprint" is only while you are utilizing your phosphocreatine and 100m is actually ... a bit longer! (60m is probably a bit shorter).

400m and 800m are most severe tests to human flesh (I reckon it is more than marathon). 600m probably could be "pure test" for anaerobic mechanism.

So far I know 1 1/2 mile is a endurance test in USA army, isn't it? - should be not accidental. 3k and 5k is far more difficult, by my humble opinion.

There is one BIG problem with distances 20K+ - if you are not professional or you are not lucky with support being provided - you simply have to be in office / work in field / do your business - and only ~2 hours left for training. Most of us have to share your time with your family. But proper training involves not only 20K+ runs but warming runs, sauna / whatever ....

I believe "your distance" is a distance where you can "die" exactly on finish line (== your are slowed down only by physical exhaustion but never by mental).