Running 5K's versus Marathons

5K’s versus Marathons

“Hurts my ears to listen, Shannon, burns my eyes to see. Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, Might as well be me…” (more) Jack Straw – Robert Hunter/Bob Weir, the Grateful Dead

I did the "Daves Run for ALS" 5K on Sunday in my NEW Winter Hometown Tucson

It's a pretty small race - maybe 150 people? And maybe not, I'm not a good counter

It's held at the Foothills Mall on the Northwest side of town. It took me longer to drive there than it did to run the race, about a half hour drive across town. And, in fact it is Three Circles around the outside parking lot of the Mall, and a turn in towards the inner stores after the third loop, to get you to 5K. The terrain rolls mildly, and is only broken by parking lot speed bumps and right hand turning.

I haven't done a 5K since Thanksgiving (See my blog from 2007 – “Turkey Trotting in Tucson) and that one really doesn't count being two weeks after the Broken Toe escapade and a cross country one at that. Hence, I didn't know what to expect. As I will elaborate on later, it's like fast food - in and out - versus a leisurely Thanksgiving Dinner spanning several hours. I've had three Thanksgiving dinners (Marathons) since my last 5K, and have been far more acclimated to the pace versus the full-throttle aspects of a 5K. And, it is important to note, that I am the absolute poster child for “slow twitch” versus “fast twitch” muscle groups. Not a sprinter. And, while it takes me a while to get going, once started, I can keep going…..and going…..and going…..

I've actually done this race before - last year, with surrogate stepdaughter Jenna. And, after last year’s race, we left soon after crossing the finish line, forgoing her second place in her age group finish award, as we hadn't even bothered to check the results. We didn’t even know she had placed. She's fast that girl - and getting faster. Youth. More on that some other time.

With that lesson in mind and also a fresh memory from last spring when I did a 10K called the Deer Run in Wisconsin, and walked away from an age group piece of tin by not checking posted results, I've learned not to “assume”. So, even though my time was virtually identical to last years (22:40 versus 22:39 - another year older and another second slower - Damn!) which didn't put me in the money the prior year, I waited for results.

(By the way, my GPS scored the course as a 3.18. I must be pretty erratic or my GPS is just continuing to screw with me.)

So, to my surprise, I placed third in my age group. By One single second. I didn't realize that some guy was trying to take me out at the finish, but he was. Didn't though. The reason I probably didn't notice was that immediately after crossing the finish line, I had to instantly and rapidly lateral sideways to avoid a teenage female track star who was violently puking her breakfast Cheerios all over the finish chutes.

And, the Third Place award (s) were an Iridescent (read Puke - apropos!) Yellow "Nike Store" tote bag AND a silver-colored plastic Nike Water Bottle. Had I been Second, I would have got a pair of athletic socks, in addition to the Nike Swag, and had I been First, a "Runners Shop" Gift Certificate would have been mine AS WELL AS the Nike Swag.

Too much Nike Swag. In retrospect, I'm actually sorry I waited. More plastic to litter the Landfill after I give it away.

As a result of that experience, and because I’m always looking to write about my running, I was inspired to do an as comprehensive as possible discussion of 5k’s versus Marathons. The differences are legion, not the least of which was the surly nature of this particular Tucsonian Sunday morning crowd. A mixed crowd, largely younger, cliquish, and unfriendly to outsiders (myself). It felt like a club that I didn’t belong to and wasn’t invited to. Before and after the race, I couldn't scare up a conversation to save my life. I think 5k's can be like that, crowd-wise. But, more on that later.

So, let’s start out with the obvious. 5k’s are shorter than Marathons. 23.1 miles to be exact. However, this is both a good thing, and a bad thing for many reasons.

5k’s are flat out, pedal to the metal, 110% of Max Heart rate anerobic sprints from the minute the gun goes off. Unlike the Marathon where you can actually use the FIRST 5k to hit your pace, you don’t have that luxury here.. You gotta get off the mark fast – and continue to run faster – to be a Player.

And indeed, they are over quickly. For me, in 22 minutes and 40 seconds today. (And, I’ve been faster, but I’ve never broken 20 minutes yet. Close, but not for 20 years.) Anyway, because you are so flat out the whole way, the course is meaningless. Scenery, crowd support, a fellow runners opinion – who cares? I am trying to keep the body moving just below the puke stage, so I honestly don’t give a rats ass what is going on around me. I just don’t want to trip or bump into someone, that’s my minimum considerations.

And also water stops. In 5k’s, every second counts. Stopping to take water eats into that severely – suppose you lose 10-15 seconds on a water stop? As a percentage of the total elapsed time, it is pretty substantial. And, with my personal physiology, snatching a cup and gulping it down doesn’t work. I wind up choking, coughing and wearing most of the liquid as a result. AND losing precious seconds. So, I usually forgo the water unless the heat is relentless that day. I figure that I can stand anything for 20-something minutes, so I usually just blast on through. And actually on many 5k’s I've run, they don’t even bother with water stops!

And, 5k’s really bring out the competitive animal in me, hence the lyrical excerpt at the top of this narrative. (sooner or later, I’m gonna get that entire song quoted, it’s one of my favorites and also one of my favorite running tunes) Many times I’ve found myself in the last half mile of a 5k running down someone who looks remotely my age in hopes of placing myself even further into the winners circle. Having Been That Guy, the one like today who missed the guy one second in front of him (Me) and was then 4th in his age bracket and out of the placement, I don’t like to give up when possible victory is in sight.

I don’t get that urge in Marathons, in fact, I’ve been known to purposely lag behind someone in a finishers stretch as they have been in front of me the whole race and I don’t feel it’s fair to run them down at the end of four hours. There ain’t a snowballs chance in hell that I would place in my age group at most marathons, so I can be more courtly and sportsmanlike, not being attached as it were. And hey, everyone goes home with the same finishers medal anyway, right?

And distance. I’ve driven for hours, and flown for thousands of miles to run a Marathon. Today, driving an hour round trip to do a 22 minute 5K really struck me as not the best use of my time. And, it added to the cost of the race – I’ll talk about that more later. I did it mostly because I wanted to do a race – any race- and this one was on the calendar and in the same town as me. (I do forget sometimes what a sprawling metropolis Tucson really is, not a sleepy little desert town) Anyway, once again, traveling to enjoy an extended, hours long experience, with a guaranteed finishers medal makes much more sense than doing the same for a 5k

And now for the crusher. Marathons, by the way, are more financially economical to run than 5k’s!. Yup, you got that right! Marathons are a much better deal. Simple math will tell you that.

For instance – This race, which I signed up for by check was discounted because of my membership in SAR, which cost $40 or so. Forgetting that (and I am because I can make an excellent case without it) the discounted entry fee was $16, payable by Check. I mailed in my entry form, so with stamp and all (and forget the envelope and pen ink, as well as printer cartridges and paper to print the online entry form) I’m out $16.41 for this race. For this, I got to run 3.1 miles. receive a pretty simple short-sleeved white T-shirt and partake of the simple finish line libations (which today were muffins and banana’s both which were cut in half, bagels which were cut in thirds and Water) Anyway, the cost per mile run works out to $5.29.

And okay, I know what you are thinking, you math wizards out there who want to suggest I use my GPS measurement for this calculation. I won’t do it!! Let’s keep it apples to apples here. Damn GPS. Another cost-per-mile.

So, here we go – compare this to my last Marathon, the Lost Dutchman. Even signing up late as I did, the entry fee, including the Usurious and Unconscionable Highway Robbery Active.com processing fees was $84.07. For that I received a long-sleeve T-shirt in a small bag of Swag, got bussed to the start line in fine style, where partook of some good start line libations, campfires, and clean Porto potties. Following this, I ran the 26.2 Very Well Supported Miles, where they fed, watered and gel packed me at very consistent intervals. I finished the race where I received a very high class multi-colored finishers medal, and partook of the finish line libations, which included all the bottled water I could want, a hot breakfast burrito WITH salsa, all of the above mentioned 5K snacks and then some. I could have also had a post-race massage had I chosen. My gear was transported to the finish for me and I picked it up easily. And then, I got a bus ride right back to my car as well.

Forgetting also that at this Marathon, I not only made a new friend, but also had several great conversations and connection with participants I had never met before, the economics are even better. The cost works out to $3.21 per mile. And, had I not missed the early discounted entry fee cutoff, it could have been an even more amazing $2.48 per mile, or less than HALF the per-mile cost of the 5K. For all this amazing stuff and hours of fun!!!!

(Imagine me chortling to myself as I make this case. Imagine the Judge, trying not to laugh as the Jury intones “Your honor, we find for the Plaintiff. Also, for the Bailiff. Case dismissed!” Except for the fact, of course, that if I am paying for plane tickets and hotel rooms, the per mile cost of the race shoots through the roof. However, you can write about that in your blog – and argue your case before the Jury. I like my argument better)

Taking this a step further, I think that Marathon crowds in general are more friendly and fun than 5K people. Again, here is that fast food versus Long, Leisurely dining comparison. Fast food is not a commitment, it is a convenience – in and out, get back on the road with your tank filled. There is little if any savoring of the experience, in many cases you want to get it over with as soon as you can. I think that is why, at 5K’s, there is typically a huge turn out of the younger teen-and-twenty-something runners here (especially the one hurling in the finish chutes) With the resident NPD and ADD of today’s youth, the time of a 5K it is all they can sustain an interest in time-wise, and then, after 20 minutes or a half hour, they need different stimulation.

(Okay that was a little harsh. But, I couldn’t resist. And, there has got to be at least a small nugget of truth there)

Ah, but the Marathon is an extended experience. For some (though not me) there are the months of training and anticipation. The Pre-race Expo, where you can, at some of the larger races obtain large bags of free Swag. Pre- and post race festivities. Many miles to run. Many hours to enjoy. Scenery that unfolds and changes. The whims of the weather, which can in fact shift during the time you are out on the course. The possibility of meeting a new friend or friends. The 50-state Club and Marathon Maniacs where you can be an instant member of a very large community. Being able to talk, enjoy, share (as you aren’t breathless the whole way). A thing to Savor and appreciate, as you would a fine multi-course meal, or again, Thanksgiving Dinner.

People are drawn to that which they resonate with, and while I have met some actual marathoners and made some great acquaintances at 5K events (including my good Friend Gregg Herman, who if he is still reading right now might be howling – sorry Gregg, but you are right – I like to run more than you do!! And, you have diplomatic immunity, this isn’t about you), I have made more and better friends during Marathons. Except of course, for Gregg, who is a great friend even if he won’t run a marathon with me. And Scott, who I met at a 5 mile race, became a Marathoner and has been a tour guide extraordinaire, taking me to Toronto, Quebec and Portland for some of the most amazing Marathon experiences of the collection.

(warning - Woo-woo time – if you don’t want a quick side trip to the New Age, scroll down about 4 paragraphs)

In Shamanic Astrology, we describe all of the 12 Astrological houses as having Archetypal qualities , meaning, that there might be certain tendencies embodied by individuals, based upon the major aspects and placements of the planets of their natal or birth chart.

Shamanic Astrology defines the Archetypal qualities of Taurus, as that of embodying Beauty, Pleasure, Intimacy, and Receivership – in essence, appreciating and savoring the “Garden of Earthly delights” Or, in blunt layman’s terms, really personally appreciating everything and every experience to the last drop. And, the more drops there are, well, that is even better.

In my Natal Astrological chart, I have both my Moon and Mars position in Taurus. Moon being Lineage, and Mars position being the Masculine identity - that’s a long way of saying that I have an inherent, inborn tendency to really savor my experiences. And to resonate with long-lasting experiences. As running races for me is really a total joy, that is why I like the long races – simply, it is just more to enjoy! I’m not a fast food guy if I can help it, so I more appreciate the long races and use my “Taurean Tendencies” to notice, enjoy and appreciate each aspect of the entire course. And, of course to write about them for you!

So, having said all this, made both the economic and personal case for the Marathon versus the 5K, you may be asking yourself, so, Peter – why the heck are you wasting your time with 5K’s?

Well, the answer is simple. To run better marathons. Embodying some of these other Taurean qualities as I do, I am also a totally lazy bastard when it comes to training as many of you have surmised from my blogs. I like to run races, but I don’t like to spend a lot of time training for them. 5K’s are designed to force me to do some speed work, to get me out of my normal every day shuffling 8:30 to 9:00 per mile pace. (in today’s 5K I averaged a 7:17 mile – THAT is a good pace out of the comfort zone for me!) And indeed, much of my success in getting my marathon times down back down below four hours in the last year had to do with doing several 5 and 10K races last summer, sometimes two in a weekend. (and indeed, I also collected my share of age group awards, by the way!) Without 5K races, honestly my reading friends, I would never EVER go out and do that kind of speed work and compete at that level. No way. It hurts too much. And no incentive - there isn’t any possibility of winning a medal (or some useless plastic) on a speed work session. Or, to cut another man down in cold blood……

There really aren’t any bad races, short or long. All of them are good in some way, just some are better than others. As for me, given the choice, I’ll go long every time. Not only is it a better deal, it is usually just a better experience. More bang for your Buck!

Either way, I hope to see you all at a race soon!