Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!
My “free” topic for this Friday is Why Run Half Marathons.
- It motivates you to get out the door to run several times each week and makes you increase your miles.
Before I started running half marathons, I skipped runs and sometimes I only ran for a mile or 2. Even without running much, I was able to complete a 5K race. Once I got committed to running 13.1, I ran more consistently and I followed a plan to increase my miles on the weekend gradually to 12 miles.
2. It gives you an excuse to plan a vacation around a race.
I most likely am not going to spent the money to fly somewhere to run a 5k but for a half marathon, yes, I would!! About half of my halfs have been part of vacations or “race-cations” as you can call them. I can travel, visit friends and run a race, all in the same trip. Wherever you want to go, you can find a half marathon there.
running with a good friend’s sister in CA
3. It is hard and it gives you tremendous satisfaction when you finish.
It should get easier but it doesn’t for me. Still after having completed 16 half marathons, I can”t believe that I’ve done it. Run 13.1 Miles!!! I feel like a rockstar every single time.
my first and I thought then it would be my only one
4. You get a medal.
Yes, most half marathons give you a medal. Why not? You deserve it! Who doesn’t love getting bling!!
5. You don’t have to be fast.
For me, finishing a half marathon is winning. Everyone runs at their own pace. There will be runner faster and runners slower. Runners younger and runners older. Anyone who wants to complete a half marathon, I think can.
My slowest – I was recovering from a strained Achilles so I walked the last 6 miles.
And in 2 weeks, I will be running another half marathon. And I’m excited!!
Happy Running! What do you like about Half Marathons?
My First 5K and More... 
I like that it’s challenging, but that (usually) I can still move afterwards.
I also think it’s one of the best ways to see new places!
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Yup. 13.1 doesn’t beat you up. A marathon??? That would kill me!!
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You never know til you try. 🙂
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It’s a nice civilized distance. Plenty of time for beer drinking afterwards.
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I agree. 26.2 scares me!
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I love your reasons and your outlook. You have such a positive attitude about your running and isn’t it fun planning race vacations? That is probably my favorite thing!
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Obviously mine too.
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I do like the “event” feel of a half marathon, and, like you, planning a vacation around the race makes it even more fun!
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How true…5ks & 10ks are just races. Halfs and Fulls are “events.”
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all good reasons! who doesn’t love to look back on their medals and remember those accomplishments in a tangible way? you’re so consistent about running halves, i love that about you. hope you enjoy this new one!
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I hope so too. If not, there are more on my schedule.
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Thanks. I hope so. At least it’ll be in a warmer climate. Hope you survived the recent snowstorm. As you know, we got zilch.
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I have only officially run 2 half marathon “races” but have another one in a week. I agree that its worth the effort to go somewhere for 13 miles. I won’t do a 5 K anymore… too much work to get there usually, and it goes by way too fast ! Have a good weekend
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We have so many nearby 5ks. I like to do them as speed work.
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I definitely agree that a Half is HARD. I don’t think they get enough respect for that!
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I’m glad someone agrees. 13.1 miles! Not every runner can run 26.2.
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I love every reason you listed 🙂 I was hoping to increase my racing this year…not sure now what will happen, but I hope I get to run a few!
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Be patient. You’ll get there again!
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I like the half distance because you really don’t have to do much training for it and it doesn’t kill you for the rest of the day!
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Unfortunately I DO have to do a lot of training. But I am usually fine right after.
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I do like running halfs. Because I feel like I don’t have to train as much as it takes for training for a full. And like you said, you still get a medal so why do the full when you can do half the distance and receive the same award:)
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Exactly!!
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Great list! I love half marathons because while challenging, it doesn’t leave me too run down afterwards. btw, we have a new linkup badge if you want to grab it from my page!
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Thanks. I changed to the new badge. Love it!
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Good list. I like half marathons but they aren’t my favorite race distance 🙂 I agree that anyone can do one!
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What is your favorite?
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probably marathons, then ten milers. But of course, you can only do so many marathons in a year 🙂
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