What Is The HARDEST Running Distance?

[@Sw0rDf1sH]

Marathon the toughest for me. Short races can feel hard start to finish, but nothing like the physical pain and mental struggle in the last 10k of the marathon.

[@dominikschrott7412]

You appear not to know the pain of a 3000m Steeple Chase

[@MyfanwyCollins]

For me the hardest was marathon while trying to qualify for Boston. My first marathon I got too much in my head over it and while I finished, I didn't qualify. Second marathon also too much in my head but qualified. I'm running Boston in a couple of weeks and while I'm anxious, there's so much less pressure. All of this fits in with what you all said.

[@jamesdrury6627]

Congratulations on your BQ. My ambition is to get one. My PB is about 10 mins off at the mo :-/

[@JorgeHeikkilsson]

For me it is 10k. If do a 10k seriously, I have to maintain a hard and unconformtable pace the whole distance (around 40-45min depending on current fitness level). It is just torture and mentally tough especially during ks 5-9. During marathons and even half marathons I can keep a relatively comfortable pace for the most part. I am also better suited to handle the fatigue of a longer race compared to the pain of a hard pace in a shorter race.

[@tombe2189]

Totally agree. 10k just has the longest time being in that cruel feeling of both leg pain and heart&lungs. 5k would be second and everything HM and beyond is - except for finish 1-2km - just increasing getting tired but that feels well maintainable even though it hurts

[@robiniddon7582]

Was in Glasgow last week. They have a Tim Hortons too, in case Rick is visiting north of the border.

[@mikey1s]

Think Andy should train for a fell race in the summer. Relatively short as he likes to run, but polar opposite to the track. I would suggest the Grindleford Fell Race in June. I'll be there.

[@em_ignite]

~4th episode I’m watching of this podcast within 2 days of discovery - This is Great! 🎉

[@SteveGreen-l2h]

There are 2 that kill me. 2 miles - full red line sprint, faster than 5k pace, probably similar to 1500m pace, but over 3200m. And the marathon - Essentially threshold for 3 or so hours, such a long build up working towards it and then also having to rely on everything going to plan on the day. Nothing ever prepares you for how you feel going into the last 6-8 miles, it feels different every time 😂

[@harryruns1]

Definitely 10k for me. Longest distance you can go pretty much flat out for. Although, all distances are pretty tough 🤣

[@mjowsey]

Are you implying that you would run at your 10k pace for a 400 meter run?

[@harryruns1]

@@mjowsey no

[@kellysmitherman]

I've got my first 10k race in two days and I AM TERRIFIED because I can't pace myself and I'm so competitive. I have nothing left at the end of my 5K parkruns so god forbid how brutal this is going to be lol.

[@mjowsey]

@@kellysmitherman pacing will be hard in that race. I find using a watch can help but you need to decide before the race what pace is the best for you.

[@kellysmitherman]

@@mjowsey thank you - I just started off slower and then picked up the pace about 4k in and then even more so at the final 2k,, ended up coming first girl and winning a trophy. 10K in 44:27 :D SO happy!

[@jeremycanfield8530]

I am in the USA. My 7 year old son asked "What do people from the UK sound like?" I played him this video. He said "now I get it, but when they said 'oh, that was nice' at the end, they sounded like me"

[@pballfin]

Another banger of an episode. I think 1/2 marathons are the hardest. Everyone knows a full is hard but I think ppl get lax on the 1/2 and going that hard for 13.1 miles is just hard.

[@socaljmac7720]

Look forward to watching and far be it from me to argue with an Olympian, but my vote after running distances all the way to marathon is 400m, as it is an all-out sprint the entire way.

[@devonchris]

10k is hardest for me. Anything longer and I just slip into "long slog" mode, content in the knowledge that I'm doing it all morning. Anything shorter is something I "knock out". But you can't "knock out" a 10k - for me it's 40min of hell at a pace faster than my anaerobic threshold which is just bloody uncomfortable. Eurgh.

[@danabc322]

10k’s actually my favourite distance! Long enough that you feel some pain, not long enough that you start to question your life choices.

[@robertaartro-morris5505]

The worst I have ever felt after a run was a 400m which I hadn’t trained for. I ran the first 200 much too fast but just kept going as fast as I could even when my legs were turning into molten jelly. Then I threw up, lay down by the side of the track and couldn’t stand up for an hour.

[@jps5871]

Needs to run the Houston MARATHON in January

[@Snerunseasy]

Marathons are hardest for me 😢, I've done lots of ultras they are not so tough especially if you do lots of aerobic mileage,5 & 10ks are manageable for me.

[@jamesdrury6627]

Marathon the hardest for me. Flat out 5 and 10k is painful but only for a few mins at the end. The pain in a marathon can be 30 mins or more 😢

[@ulfeliasson5413]

42 195 m is the hardest. Not to mention 42 196 m. Actually managed 32 195m on the treadmill today for the first time in 6 years. The comeback of the century is close at hand. It is unavoidable now. Won't kneel so close to the end target. (I just like to say it out loud)

[@elmotlk]

That is an amazing accomplishment! Awesome job, keep it up 🔥🔥🔥

[@ulfeliasson5413]

Thanks man, you can't imagine how much I appreciate it.@@elmotlk

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

of course any distance is hard if you give it your all. for me from hardest to least hard is 1) 10k 2) marathon 3) mile 4) 5k 5) half marathon i've never done a time trial/race of anything shorter than a mile.

[@RochelleBaines]

Such a fun podcast as always. Thanks guys. The hardest distances for me are the long training run distances. Like Sarah, I just find those 32 - 34k training runs so hard, and yet I have absolutely loved both my 50k Ultras. I also love going back to shorter, faster distances after my Ultras because it just makes me feel fast 😉

[@MatthewVincentBray]

I think the 400m is the toughest distance - the place where lactic acid meets your sprint speed 😂

[@dri1811ya]

400m hurdles! 🫣

[@emmarunyeard6832]

I agree, 400m hill sprint intervals are beyond misery 😂

[@emmarunyeard6832]

And where the lactic acid eats your spirit 😂

[@chriscotton2]

Yep, agreed. When I was a member of an athletics club, it was common knowledge and everyone hated it.

[@centrumsaiyan7623]

I was a 400m state runner. The run after the first 300m is miserable. My glutes would be burning and I would feel like I am carrying 100kg while running even with 2 years of professional training.

[@davidpage8147]

How is everyone handling dog owners who walk around staring into their phones while the dog runs wild, potentially jumping up to say hello or chasing you.. The amount of abuse I get from the owners when I ask them politely for a bit of control of the dog is less than amusing.

[@scottc986]

Recently by rolling eyes or chuntering 😅

[@leah007]

@davidpage Dogs are a public menace now. I was attacked while out running, so sick of dogs and dog owners. Now I carry an ultrasonic dog repellent.

[@christopherbrand5360]

Oh any distance that takes you about 2 to 3 minutes of all-out effort to complete is exquisite torture. For most of us that would be the 800m but for folks like Andy it extends up to the 1k... so sorry to hear about the change to the challenge distance Andy ;)

[@SteveSalisbury]

Another excellent podcast guys. To share regards the dog thing, I have a grassy area near my house. I take my little bundle of annoyance there first and let her run freely until she's done her business. Then we go for the run. On walks she loves to stop and wee on anything and everything, but when running, I know she's already been, so I don't feel mean to pull her back if she shows interest in stopping. I amost gave up on taking her as before doing this, the run would be so stop-start it was just getting annoying. Not exactly "genius" but was a workaround for me.

[@robertwright88]

I’ve done 100+ 5km Parkrun’s, 13 marathons, 5 x 24 hour races over 100 miles and numerous 10k to 10 mile races. The 5kms are definitely the hardest. Ultras are mentally tough but 5kms are physically tough for me.

[@katesmiles4208]

Loving this format

[@markbateman9222]

800 is probably the hadest distance to train for, You need, as Seb Coe said, the endurance of a world class 5000 runner married with the speed of an internatoonal 400 runner. Very dificult comination - which is why very, very few runners today come close to the world record compared to the 1500 where several runners approach WR times.

[@duncanbisatt4392]

20 mile road races that end with a mile of brutal hill. Like this morning. 😅

[@Scartoons-t1h]

Boring races are the hardest, whether marathon or 5k. Running a M or HM round a near-empty race track is soul-destroying, the same distance on the trails or with huge crowds is far nicer. Likewise Parkrun is so nice because it is social, but a solo effort on the track is far more intimidating. Want a real challenge? Try a marathon on a race circuit

[@mikeclark93]

Here's something I've often wondered about. How would Usain Bolt get on in a Marathon and how would Mo Farah get on in the 100 metres? Do you remember the BBC series 'Superstars' where professional sports people took part in events they hadn't trained for? I'm in my 60s and played football, cricket, squash etc in my younger days. I'm now trying to improve my parkrun times but find the distance very hard. Friends at my running club are always urging me to try 10k, 10 miles, half marathons or marathons but my body/mind just can't deal with those distances. In training I smash the fartleks even at my age, but if we do a steady run I get tailed off. It seems that retraining for different distances is tougher than you think it will be. (male/66/13.5 stone/28 min parkrun)

[@SupersonicWaveLength]

That challenge is severely rigged in Farah's favor. Even distance runners have to do hill sprints, so it's not like he's never ran a 100m before. He did a 5k race in 13:42, which comes out to a sustained speed of 164.4s (2:44) per km, or 16.44s for the 100m. That's already close to the max sprint of a fairly athletic male. If he just ran flat out hitting sub 12s is guaranteed, he might even be under 11s. But for Bolt, there's no indication that he's ever had to cover extremely long distances. His endurance is very good, as he's been able to play in celebrity basketball games for lengthened on-court times without breaking a sweat (and smoking everybody other than the retirees). But a marathon is an entirely different beast. Why would Bolt ever need to run the typical 20-mile long-run, or even a 60-minute tempo run? It might even hurt his sprint speed to do something like that. My guess is if Bolt had to run a marathon immediately with zero training whatsoever, he would have the walk for much of it.

[@markfinlay422]

400 meters is the hardest. Sprinting flat out for a full lap is super hard.

[@runningchannel]

Yeah you’re right it is such a tough distance!

[@the_different_dad9943]

I was listening to this while running a 15km charity race. I thought listening to you would help me keep my pace down at the start. It did work. But i did have the thought that it is not the distance that is the problem. But the effort in which we either think we have to put in. Or are willing to put in. If the people that thought they had to run a flat out 5k took an extra 5 minutes to run it would probably enjoy it more. I think all distances are easy if you take them easy. But if you are going for a pb or all out effort. It is going to be hard. No matter the distance. What do you think?

[@insertrandomnamehere764]

In track 400m at highschool level. 800m at college level. But for me the hardest race is trying to walk from the car to the hotel room an hour after completing my first 50 mile ultra.

[@Ganterp3]

Taking back the park run 5k record for Andy 😂

[@MrSlaidback]

I’ve been doing 10km or full marathons as a preference. Half marathons are scarier, because you need to be more technical for a half

[@maipai4282]

A marathon is far more technical

[@thatspottydogruns]

Podcast Ben - you need to try Canicross with Joey 🤩 he’ll have you flying along in no time!! Genuine poop tip - develop a command to get the dog to toilet and you can get them to go before you run. If you get really pro you can get them to do it next to a bin 😆

[@maverickgoose4679]

Half marathon is the toughest for me from a mental perspective. The effort involved is neither flat our nor easier slower pace and I just don't like it and avoid it. A flat out 5 or 10km and also a marathon at a more sedate pace are much more my cup of tea.

[@killerqueen9298]

Hi, guys. Regarding finish line etiquette, on a 10k race a couple of years ago my son-in-law passed me on the finish line and beat me by 1 second after I had led him since the 5k mark. Gutted

[@tezster0]

I'm with Sarah... anyt distance you're running right at your max threshold i.e. 5k/10k is just painful. Although instead of the marathon, I'd settle for half-marathon distance.

[@maxinesmith8167]

The bra chat is super interesting. I'm a long distance runner and I find it impossibly hard to run when wearing a bra, chest monitor and hydration vest. It feels so restrictive, so I'm glad it sounds like it actually hinders performance and isn't just my anecdotal experience!

[@deskpro256]

Andy should try a mud race or an obstacle race, those are always fun and dirty.

[@toddboucher3302]

On a 50 K a guy lost his keys and him and some friends divided the course so they can go out and try to find his keys. They found them but halfway through the course so he didn’t lose his car per se, but he came close and he also came close to his first hundred K my heartdistance I can handle 100 mile raising just slogging for a real long time 5K to do right is really hard and I competed with some people once and I tried to do 800 on the track with them that wasn’t enjoyable either

[@moaningpheromones]

So - when they found them that was the key moment?

[@rzombi666]

The 100 mile ultra is the toughest distance. Your body shuts down after a certain point, then the mind takes over.

[@lucasabrams9451]

If you discount the extra long ones(marathons and ultramarathons) then I'd say 1500m. Well in the anaerobic zone and lactic acid is crazy

[@christopherbrand5360]

Andy should show us how to build up to and execute a 100-mile training week

[@colinm9168]

5k run properly.Goosed after 2k but you have to hold that pace for 3 more. Its torture . No other distance compares imo

[@vinaybucha4777]

I think any race from 10-15k is the hardest as you can't go easy as it may not be considered a long run but you can't go hard as it is quite long. Also for a marathon or half marathon you can walk for a couple of minutes and unless you are a professional runner it wouldn't affect the race much but stopping or walking in a 10k would feel like a bit of a failure to me personally.

[@hermeticallysealed]

the race I just finished is always the hardest

[@jps5871]

For me anything 5K or under, really like 9 to 13.1 races. Little nervous new commitment for first 26.2 miles

[@mjowsey]

At the parkrun there was a lot of people who gave themselves a 15 minute head start... Must have been very confusing at the finish? 5:30

[@RyanSmith-hf7gc]

I think 10km is the hardest. I would say it's as hard as running 5k but then you have to do it again. On the topic of Sarah saying how she doesn't like hitting the red line, there is so much time to be gained by being able to push yourself beyond the point of your body screaming at you to stop. Obviously it's not a fun place to be but if you're chasing a PB it's worth getting comfortable with being uncomfortable

[@CaptainBrash]

I don't know what the hardest is for me. A couple of years ago I would have said half marathon, still haven't done a marathon though as I got injured in training. I can't decide between 1 mile, 5k or 10k, I've thrown up after each distance other than half marathon.

[@imocartan8147]

Usain Bolt once said. “ I train for 4 years to run 9 secs”

[@skyenicolson4236]

Andy needs to be signed up for the Marathon du Médoc 2024! With aim for proper competitive goals in both aspects of the race- Rick can be one of the official coaches🍷😂

[@WilliamHickman-i4z]

Longer distances are harder, joints get hotter and hotter, muscles cramp and you have to keep going

[@Thegreat772]

Speaking of the finish line etiquette. I'm usually finishing around 75th out of 100 typically since I started running in 2022. I gave it everything on the last 100 metres and over took about 8 or 9 people but the last 10 metres or so I backed off a little because of the lady in front. Her kids were really screaming for her and I thought "stuff it over 60th place" 😅 If one day I get lean & mean for a top 10 you'll see a completely different side of me lol

[@c0ntr1but10n]

Maybe you could argue any distance can be the hardest apart from 60m-200m because they're over too quickly to really be considered the hardest

[@helenwallace157]

Would love to see Andy do a steeple chase, he'll have the speed from the 1km and will just need to work on the hurdles.

[@kellyshaw5084]

100% 5k! I absolutely hate it. Give me a marathon any day of the week!

[@kellysmitherman]

I've recently started parkrun and whilst I've never done any long distance running (watch this space), I think a 5K is really rough because if like me, you don't pace and just run from A to B as quick as you can, it's HELL. last weeks parkrun time was 20:40 and it was excruciating the whole time, and I just thought - I'd rather run for hours at a slower pace than this lol. I think it really depends on what you are used to and your goals x

[@stephenlaw1202]

multi-day long -distance races

[@regstoy]

Can we start a gofundme and get Sarah a second watch strap loop, the OCD in me is driven mad by the 'overhang' of strap she always has 🙄

[@runningchannel]

Haha we will let her know 😂

[@jeffblalack64]

CDO. Put those letters in alphabetical order where they belong.

[@skyenicolson4236]

Haha no Go Find Me needed, simply contact Garmin & they’ll send a replacement loop for free!

[@samirrerizani7918]

Any distance can feel the hardest. Just depends if you pace it right or not

[@whitehorsebricks2670]

The gold standard for club cyclists was always to get under an hour for a 25 mile time trial. After seeing Andy's attempt on Zwift, I challenge him to do this with his local cycling club.

[@thekitchen.gardener5342]

How about getting Andy to Tackle Race to the Stones ultra in July?

[@daisychainsawed]

I love ultras and loathe the short speedwork sessions of 400m to 800m

[@lewisnbeans]

People mostly all ways finish a 5k or park run, marathons not so much. If there was a free marathon every week would it be as popular as park run?

[@HamishGray]

Did a 20 miler last week, the local 5k parkrun was harder 🤣

[@glennnicholls8510]

Andy has spent way too much time running on firm, level surfaces. I think a trail half-marathon is in order

[@jamesdrury6627]

That's exactly what I was thinking too 👍

[@spencerharper6182]

Leadville heavy half!! Let’s go Andy!

[@W1ldt1m]

Half? 50k ultra in the alps!

[@daisychainsawed]

Gritstone Grind ulrra marathon or Hydrox if you want him to do the cross training. You can be nice and send him somewhere abroad to escape the horde of kids?

[@toddboucher3302]

No an Ultron marathon is easier. I was shocked but I went and did my first 50 K I said this is a lot easier than marathon. It was a lot easier and now I’m looking at a 50 case really a fastest so 50 Kay’s are kind of hard but the real long ones and now people are running 200+ And talk to somebody who did 240 race 240 miles and he said it was easier than 100 he said cause he went so slow. He really only ran downhill and flat so I guess the heat is on I’m not a good road runner and those fast road running times to me are apart, the next couple years I’m gonna do a Boston wildfire. See if I can still do it and I’ll look at that as the hardest thing I’ve ever done a slow hundred mile up in the mountains just beautiful it’s relaxing for the first hundred K.

[@scottcollier9178]

Rick, hope your knee settles down. 👍

[@robiniddon7582]

Triathlon for Andy.

[@centrumsaiyan7623]

In my opinion 400m is physically the most painful. You will be extreme burn on glutes, hamstring and you will for the first time in life, unable to move your body not due to running out of gas, but you physically burned out after the first 300m.

[@moggy992]

About two weeks ago i did a race and it was the first one id driven to. I got on the warmup pitch and realised i had my car key to hide 😅 . i had a little covid test bag that i popped my key in and pushed it down my runderwear bra and raced with it lol 😅😅

[@klipk7296]

lol the bot comments were so ready

[@idawson998]

No, there is just a lot of sexy runners😂😂

[@runningchannel]

We try and block them but then more pop up 😂😂

[@runningchannel]

😂😂😂

[@ShantyIrishman]

A lot more on KZbin lately, Pruane2Forever needs to make a comeback.

[@stevestarr9769]

ALL distances are hard if you give it your best.

[@mrstevemackay1]

As Andy has already done a marathon, surely it should be an ultra next?🤷🏻

[@neilreynolds432]

Refueling is very complicated nowadays. When I was young we had coke and water at the checkpoints and if you were lucky you had corn syrup sachet. We all finished marathons and ultras and in reasonably good shape.

[@keith_tinker]

The Dragon back ultra

[@markbowen3700]

I think it has to be an Ultra for Andy

[@kimnash1393]

I’ve lost my car too many times that I’ve lost count, I now what 3 words screenshot where I leave my car 🤣

[@ashleyvermeulen9249]

What about a trail race for Andy?

[@kylekermgard]

The trick to running with your dog is to run near a body of water they can jump in to cool off every 30 mins

[@Ulyeney]

Get Andy to do a 50k trail run!

[@craven19827]

Marathon and ultramathons due to the mental fatigue even during training

[@bedcurt]

400h hurdles, hell !!!!

[@emrais]

Someone new doing the colour grading?

[@misterleegains4020]

Tie between 400m and 800m. If 600m was an event it would be the hardest.

[@ericerian1811]

@ritapanahi, weekly, huh?

[@simonwclark]

400m Hurdles is the hardest IMO.

[@runningchannel]

Ooo yes!!

[@Blainerr]

Sign Andy up for a 50 miler!

[@andreakynoch2077]

I'd pay good money to watch Sarah get her revenge on Tito by rugby tackling him at the finish line 😆

[@dawnwoodward2228]

Crusty pants 😂😂 who cares about any of the other content. Brilliant!

[@ericjacobs6276]

800 meters or marathon

[@JaredDooz]

Set a park run record for running backwards.

[@lenkaontherun]

I think Andy should do an ironman. 🤣Not to be mean of course...

[@emmarunyeard6832]

39 miles... It was meant to be 35!!! Bad navigation and those extra 4 miles were utter misery 😂🤮

[@stephenelkan784]

Training for a marathon is harder than running a marathon due to the hours of commitment you have to give.

[@kadajawi2]

House key.

[@maipai4282]

The marathon