Posts: 972
8/15/11 11:25 A

Distance. I have a wonderful comfortable slow pace and love being able to go longer and longer distances. I would like to be faster but I believe that will come with time so it isn't my priority.

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8/15/11 1:50 A

I've never thought of walking a marathon. Interesting, maybe I should do that first.

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8/12/11 4:17 A

Xiuxie,

Lots of people walk a marathon, too. Part of the training program I coach in is dedicated to marathon and half marathon walkers.

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8/12/11 4:14 A

Carl,

You don't have to run the entire 13.1 miles. Run/walk is a good thing and helps you pace yourself, stay injury free, recover well and enjoy the race. The older we get, the more we like our walk breaks.

Congrats on your half marathons!

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8/12/11 1:01 A

For me, definitely distance. I aim to be a marathon runner some day.

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1/18/11 9:57 A

I prefer the distance, but I like to try and better the time if I can (its not important to me though). I've managed to complete 5 half marathons since I started running over 3 years ago but I've never finished one without walking yet (although I came close last year).

Like ACORALSEA said below, just keep going and the endurance and faster pace will come in time.

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1/18/11 2:02 A

In training for distance, we like our LSD runs - long slow distance. Increased pace comes over time with increased strength and endurance, and proper training. Cross-training helps build this, and the stronger you get, the further you'll be able to go.

Not everyone has the biomechanics or natural talent to be a fast runner, although you can certainly become faster than you are. But, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you're out there moving your body and getting fit.

Have you set your next goal, like a 10K, for example? Or, have you set a goal to beat your last 5K time and found a training program to help you achieve it?

Be proud of your accomplishment and keep up the good work.

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1/15/11 9:36 A

I personally have a goal of increasing the distance I can run without walk breaks, but I can see myself being interested in getting faster once I reach the 5K with no walking stage. First things first!

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1/14/11 9:41 P

I'm just starting up again after a 20 year "break", and while I don't know how it all pans out in terms of the physical value of the workout, I think mentally I feel better with a greater distance.

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1/13/11 6:41 P

IMO... I have been running for 25 years and I would rather run farther than faster. I wish I ran faster, but I love the challenge of farther.

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1/13/11 5:19 P

As a SFR, I have been able to slow jog 2 miles without stopping and completed a 5K with only walking a total of 3 minutes. Every time I go further I am proud, but the critic in me questions my pace. It's all I can do to keep with a 14 minute mile in a 5k--nothing to brag about but I am proud of the distance I've covered. My question is... is running further distances better than running shorter distances faster?