• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » GET HEALTHY & FIT » Speaking Your Dream Language: Road Race Distance Primer

in GET HEALTHY & FIT

Speaking Your Dream Language: Road Race Distance Primer

Last updated on March 26th, 2013 at 09:57 am

Speaking my language: Road race distance primer

Have you ever noticed that your dream has it’s own language? When you are neck deep in the dream process every day, you may not notice the strange looks darted your way as you talk about your dream goals. Our dream language helps us define what we are doing. 

What is your dream language?

Your own dream language consists of the things you are working on for YOUR dream. For financial dreamers, they can rattle off details about percentage of savings, retirement and the best deal on insurance. For our fearless leader Catherine, the language of online marketing for a top blog is the language she can speak in her sleep.

Unfortunately for those who aren’t working on a similar dream, the terms you use may not mean anything to the outsider like your family or friends. You’ll know when this happens from the quizzical looks you get, and the non-committal nodding from whoever you are sharing your story with.

I had this interaction myself a few months ago after I shared my 5k race results on Facebook. A good friend sent me a text with congratulations on my marathon results.

Um… not quite.

I explained that I’m working up to a marathon, which is a 26.2 mile race, and the one I had just completed was a comparatively tiny 3.1 miles. She commented that a marathon was equal it to running from my house to my sisters house 3 towns and “Are you insane? Why would you ever do that?”. I got my congrats for the 5K anyway.

I wouldn’t expect anyone to speak the language of my dream, unless we had similar dream goals, so explaining a few of the basics makes it so much more fun to share your dream success!

Road racing distance primer

When it comes to running a road race, the distances are typically standardized which makes training for road races that much easier. Road racing is typically held on the streets of a city, which offers challenges like hills, surfaces that change, quick turns and of course dealing with whatever the weather is like that day.

5 Kilometers

Definition: 5K, 5000 meters, 3.1 miles

The 5 kilometer distance is popular for road racing and is perhaps the favorite first race for beginners. It’s enough to be a challenge, but not so overwhelming that it intimidates runners who are just starting out.

This is also a great race for experienced runners. Most will use it as a speed workout as part of their training for longer distance races. This is a very popular distance with races happening every weekend all over the country.

10 Kilometers

Definition: 10K, 10000 meters, 6.2 miles

This is my new challenge distance and you will still find plenty of opporunity to try out a 10 kilometer race. This distance is traditionally the boundary between middle and long racing distances. There is more trianing involved than a 5K but for runners it’s not a distance that will be intimidating.

Just like a 5K race, experienced runners will use the 10K distance as a competition or training opportunity. I had this experience will my first 10K race as runners flew by me for the first and last mile, trying to lower their race time.

Find your next race - RaceCalendar.com

Resource: Find your own race! One of many sites that help you track down your running challenge.

5 and 10 Miles

Definition:  8 or 16 kilometers

What can I say? The United States is just not up to speed on the metric system, so we do have runners who prefer to run distances actually measured in miles. In my race research, I don’t see many of these races available but they are out there.

Half Marathon

Definition: 13.1 miles, 21 kilometers

Want a bigger challenge? The half marathon distance is very popular. This is long enough to be a challenge, even if you are an experienced runner. Completing this distance will give you a huge sense of accomplishment no matter how seasoned you are. Another benefit of the half marathon is that it doesn’t require the intense training or long recovery time that a full marathon may take.

Marathon

Definition: 26.2 miles, 42.2 kilometers

Most runners consider this to be the ultimate distance challenge. There is a prestige with a marathon that no other distance has. Every marathon is the same distance – 26.2 miles. Other distance races can be long and challenging, but they aren’t a marathon.

This is a long enough distance that anyone that actually finishes a marathon gets credit as a serious endurance athlete.

Ultramarathon

Definition: Any distance longer than 26.2 miles. Typically 50 kilometers, 50 miles, 100 kilometers, and 100 miles.

There are friends who look at me like I’m nuts racing in 5k distances. This would the same look that I give a runner that tells me they are an ultramarathoner.

Anyone looking for challenge that goes beyond a marathon will find it in the ultramarathon distances.

Now you speak my dream language

There is a ton of knowledge that comes with our dream life and it grows everyday. For my 8 Women Dream team, I know that knowledge includes research, lessons from trial and error, and constantly reaching for what’s next in our own dreams.

In my dream language, that means scheduling my 5K and 10K races for the first 6 months of 2013, and officially signing up for my big dream goal of a triathlon. How long is that race you ask? I’ll clue you in soon with what those triathlon details actually mean.

Do you have your own dream language? Share in the comments so we can all cheer you on – no matter how long your dream race takes.

Go get your fit on – Heather 

 

Photo Credit: lizbadley via Compfight cc

Heather Montgomery
Heather Montgomery

Heather Montgomery is a fitness writer, triathlete, and serial entrepreneur who is devoted to sharing what she has learned about becoming a triathlete after age 40. She uses her Metabolic Training Certification to help other women struggling to get fit in mid-life. She lives and trains in Santa Rosa, California, the new home of the Ironman triathlon. You can find her biking the Sonoma County wine trails.

Note: Articles by Heather may contain affiliate links and will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Related Stories:

  • Working the Dream: First Olympic Distance Triathlon Completed
    Working the Dream: First Olympic Distance Triathlon…
  • Psychic Distance is my New Dream Word
    Psychic Distance is my New Dream Word
  • Sprint Triathlon: Taper Your Training Before Your Dream Race
    Sprint Triathlon: Taper Your Training Before Your Dream Race
  • Race Toward Your Dream Goal
    Race Toward Your Dream Goal
Tell your friends!

Filed Under: GET HEALTHY & FIT

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« A Dream Come True: Published in Oprah Magazine
Travel Dreams From Southern China »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • Winter Solstice Celebrations: What to Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream
  • 6 Tips to Avoid Get Rich Quick Scams as a Public Speaker
  • A Dream to Spread MLK’s Message of Love
  • Best Goal Setting Advice that Actually Works
  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
Catherine Hughes on Dealspotr
Catherine Hughes
@8WomenDream
Let’s collaborate
Powered by Dealspotr

Inspiration

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2023 ·

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT