Happy Friday!
Yesterday I drove way up to Santa Barbara for a super event with Bob Greene.
It was a gorgeous venue and I was basically one degree of separation from Oprah, so I’m still reeling from the experience.
I had the chance to site down with Greene and want to share that interview in detail, so I’m working on it now. Stay tuned.
Since it’s Friday the 13th and my big goal for the year was “13 13.1s in 2013” – (which I already accomplished!) I wanted to share this list.
13.1 Reasons Why I Love Half Marathons
13. Carb-loading.
12. It’s an excuse to see new places. See: Miami Half
11. I can run a half marathon and have plenty of energy to sightsee or go to a party for the rest of the day. See: RnR Pasadena or any race with Chandra.
10. It’s my FAVORITE distance! And always will be.
9. It’s the most popular distance race in the US. And you should always do what the majority is doing or people will judge you and what really matters is what strangers think of you. So, it’s somewhat easy to find a race near you!
8. It’s an excuse to dress up and run around like a weirdo! See: Tink Half
7. If there is a full marathon the course will be open longer so it’s okay to drink too much the night before and walk the last 3 miles to the line. See: Las Vegas Half Marathon <- that’s just pics, I really was in no condition to write complete sentences.
6. New shoes are a necessity.
5. I get to be around people who love running as much as I do.
4. You get to see what you’re made of when it gets tough. (Sometimes that’s good, sometimes it’s humbling.)
3. Free Clif bars and Larabars and 5 hour energy samples at the expos. Don’t mind if I do…
2. Oddly enough, it’s 2x more FUN than a full marathon. Trust me.
and the #1.01 reason I love running half marathons….
Post-race mimosas! And ice cream. And pizza!‘
Question: What is one thing you like about your favorite exercise?
I ran my first 1/2 this past weekend. I am hooked and oddly enough, ice cream and pizza were exactly what I craved and shoved in my face the minute I got home:-)
Running gives me freedom to think. Or not think. Riding my bike gives me access to and time with some of my best friends. Happy, Happy!
so cool you got to meet Bob Greene. How did you get that gig?
I haven’t done my first half yet, but I’m looking forward to the carb loading.
Got to love runnin’! 🙂
As much as I love running ( and cycling) my favorite sport is snowboarding, because it feels amazing to fly down a mountain!
The runners – be it friends or soon-to-be-friends I meet on the route or after a run/event. Love the camaderie!
I love 1/2 marathons too 🙂 I love my tradition of getting Thai food after a race. I love the feeling of crossing the finish line… nothing quite like it!
The sense of accomplishment after a great run!
CrossFit
Looking at the Workout and thinking there’s no way I can do that…then doing it and finishing it!
Eating more and feeling great!
Love this post! Half marathons are the best distance!! 🙂
I think the reason I love running the most is a toss up between the necessity for new shoes often(and how awesome they are these days!) as well as how great it makes me feel. Who needs therapy when you can have running?
I love guilt free froyo 🙂
It give me a chance to get out my own head and test myself!
Half marathons are my favorite race distance too. I love how you can be done in two hours and not be completely physically depleted. I also feel like it’s a distance that I can always crank out without having to follow a long-term training plan (since I always like to be in half marathon shape).
I’ve run 7 so far this year and have 3 more of them for the rest of the year. Love!
I love those moments during a run where suddenly you feel like your legs have wings, you can run forever, and there’s that – for lack of a better word – joy in the movement of just running. I run every crappy run just for that one run where I’m fortunate to have one minute of that feeling.
My race of choice is triathlon. I love it because it forces you to be physically and mentally strong in a way that other single discipline races don’t. And I love knowing my body is capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. It’s the most gratifying race experience I ever have crossing a tri finish line. Not that I don’t love running races (I’m looking at you Empire State Half Marathon) but there’s something surreal and amazing about triathlon that is unique to tri as a sport. I love it!
Running is my exercise of choice, specifically 1/2’s. I like that it’s easy enough to stay in constant 1/2 shape, but it’s challenging enough of a distance that you have to work for it.
I love half marathons, too! It’s the perfect distance because it doesn’t completely wipe you out like a marathon, but it’s still a huge accomplishment and long enough to feel like you deserve a few post-race indulgences and a nap :). It’s also short enough that you can somewhat concentrate on speed, whereas for me a marathon has been all about just making it to the finish line!
i think one of my favorite things about running is that you get to meet people who are even crazier than you think you are. real confidence booster.
I’m going to get yogurtland tonighttttt. yessssssssssssss
I love running because it makes me feel so accomplished and confident! I also love the post-run FOOD!! 🙂
I love half marathons because they’re a hard effort and a big accomplishment, but they don’t overtake your life like training for a full marathon!
Just the good feeling when its over. 😉
Great post: I agree with ALL of those reasons! I guess my 0.1 reason is that when you tell someone you’ve run a half, the look they often give you is priceless! 🙂
Now I’m even more excited for my first half… 37 days! Not like I’m counting or anything.
I love this post! I just started running this past May and am thinking of finding a half marathon to do this fall yet. I’m a little scared!!
Running my first half this Sunday……so excited,( and totally nervous!) I haven’t even completed one yet but I already feel like it will be my new favorite distance and I am already thinking of signing up for another one next month. I am SO looking forward to reason 1……. CELEBRATION MEAL(s) 🙂
I’ll be running my first half in 9 days!! Hopefully it’ll be as fun as you say it is 🙂
This is a perfect post to read since I just blogged about my new goal….a half-marathon a month! I love this distance, too.
I run for that feeling you get when crossing the finish line. It makes every run, no matter how difficult, worth it. Such a great feeling! One week from Sunday I will be running my second half marathon! Can’t wait!
The feeling of accomplishment. That’s what I love. I’m training for my first half, and I can only imagine (right now) how amazing I’m going to feel in the days after my December 8 race 🙂
The way it makes me feel like a rock star when I walk home after.
I love the halfs. Keeps me training the be in 1/2 shape and feels rewarding. They seem just the right distance for me. Well, that’s the furthest I’ve been (until next weekend when I aim for a new PDR!) Besides, 13 is my favorite number 🙂
I can’t wait until I lose enough weight to feel confident in running marathons! Ahhhhh!
Don’t wait!
Great post! A half marathon really is the best distance – far enough to feel accomplished but not so time or energy intensive (both the race and training) that you’re sapped.
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Running is my favorite form of exercise, and I love the training that goes into a race. That depleted, empty-tank feeling after a tough run is AMAZING (sounds weird though, haha). Maybe it’s because I get to refuel with yummy foods after?
And half marathons are also my favorite distance!