This morning I got out for a 3.3 mile run. In my mind, I thought of it as a short run, then I stood back and realized that it wasn't so long ago that a ~3 mile run was just about all I did. Just a few months ago, my new normal run length of 5-6 miles was considered extra-long distance. Not sure how I got here but I like it. The "short" distance was almost refreshing!
Joel, I know you're a monster distance runner; what's a short run in your book? What about you Eric? I know you also cross-train so I'm sure that affects your distance, no?
Interesting question. In 2011, I've done 40 runs. Not a lot! It feels like more. Here is how they break down:
ReplyDelete< 2 miles: 3 runs
2-3 miles: 8 runs
3-4 miles: 3 runs
4-5 miles: 5 runs
5-7 miles: 5 runs
7-10 miles: 4 runs
10-15 miles: 5 runs
15+ miles: 7 runs
So, I'm really all over the map. It's not like the majority of my runs are long runs. And that's on purpose - mixing it up keeps it interesting for me. But long runs do take up the majority of my time, and I do find them more fun to write about.
I guess I would say that anything less than 4 miles feels like a "short" run to me. I love the fact that on these runs I don't have to worry about preparations or pacing or anything else. I just get out and go. But on the flip side, it's sometimes hard to get motivated to go out for a short run, because getting ready, and cleaning up afterwards, is going to take as long as the run itself.
Incidentally, when I started running less than two years ago three miles seemed very long. There was a time, too, when three miles felt normal, and ten miles seemed extra long. So I totally get what you are saying about perspectives changing.
short runs come on the tail end of a long bike ride, usually two miles after 20-40 miles of cycling.
ReplyDeletelong runs are 6+.
9+ runs are unheard of... they don't happen.
i used to plan out runs in advance and figure for a couple 3 milers, a long run, a 5 miler and a cross-training run. i run less frequently now and don't really plan my distances, just head out and the better i feel (or maybe the more time i have) the further i run.