Morning, everyone! ☀️ I was reminded of a Friday thread discussion we had almost exactly two years ago, and thought I’d throw it out there again, as you had so much interesting to say. Here’s the topic:
Several years ago, a good friend of mine told me about a conversation he had with some people he worked with. They got to talking about running — as one does 😃 — and eventually the conversation came around to the longest distance that each of them had ever run.
One of them shared that he’d participated in a contest with a few runner friends of his, to see how far they could go before they just had to stop. Like, couldn’t go any further. (Or is it farther?) The friend shared with that group that he ran 77 miles before he said, “I’m out.”
I’m fascinated with this story not because I want to go out and run 77 miles — I don’t! — but I’m really interested in how far each of us wants to go, how far we think we might be able to go if we really pushed ourselves.
What reminded me of all of this was an article from the Atlantic — “Go For a Walk,” by Arthur C. Brooks — about his 100-mile-long walking pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, a network of walking routes in Spain that has attracted travelers from around the world for more than 1,000 years.
Brooks didn’t do it all at once — he walked about 20 kilometers a day, for a journey that took about a week — but I loved what he had to say about it:
“The secret of the Camino is really its utter lack of thrills. The quiet monotony is initially hard to deal with. At the beginning of the journey, interior shouting torments the modern pilgrim, who is generally unaccustomed to being under-stimulated. A thousand thoughts about life’s exigencies bite at the ankles; one is tempted to stop at every roadside cafe offering wi-fi to check in on the outside world. But by about day three, these torments begin to subside as the walk begins to slow the mind to the speed of the body at a pace that is natural and unforced. The walk becomes a long piece of music — andante, of course — that neither lags nor hurries.”
All of this makes me wonder: how far is the farthest you’ve ever run, or the farthest you can imagine yourself running? (This goes for walking too.)
I just ran 18.03 yesterday ~ my longest! Have 2, 20s coming up and then the marathon! I pinch myself that I ran that many miles - sometimes unbelievable. Love all the stories on this one Terrell, great motivation.
26.63 is the longest marathon I have done. I’m contemplating one more full as I want to complete just 1 in the 60+ age group. It’s trying to find the motivation😳
26.2 miles once. Had to say I completed a marathon. No desire to do it again any time soon. And yet I hang out with people who regularly train for 100 mile races! It’s amazing what we can dedicate ourselves to doing.
What a cool question! I love the quote about the Camino. That cements my desire to walk it. Longest run has been the Half but lately Marathon is teasing me. I always say I don’t have the time to train for that but I’ve been training pretty intensively for my upcoming Half so . . . .
During Covid I ran a virtual half and accidentally went farther than 13.1. Just barely though. I’ve never really thought about going farther, but you’ve given me something to think about Terrell!
My longest is a half!🤪I’ve never wanted to run let alone train for a full marathon. Lately tho as I transition to more trail running I really am thinking of trying an ultra..so not sure where
To start a training or what distance! I think the appeal for me is that you never truly run a full ultra..lots of power hiking which I’m really good at and some have generous cut offs. Who knows...someday🙂
I ran 10 miles twice last year training for my first half. Unfortunately, I injured my hamstring the day before the race which I went to Jackson Hole, WY to run. I ended up doing the race, but it was a walk run. A real let down after 16 weeks of training, which is why I am really looking forward to Richmond. I am in awe of people who run marathons knowing what it takes to run (almost) half that. I started running late in life, and I think the half might be my max distance. I’m hella impressed by all the ultra runners here!
I ran 20 miles in 1978 when I was 17. Totally unprepared, hadn't eaten, bonked at 17 miles but somehow made it home. I've run several half-marathons in my 40's & 50's, my best being 1:44 in 2008. I mostly walk/hike now and mix some running in. I may try an ultra of some sort in the future - Across The Years in Arizona is practically in my back yard! I like the lack of emphasis on time and pace.
I’ve run about 100 half marathons, but the one time I broke through that distance was the Canadian Army Run. The “Commander’s Challenge” was a 5k at 8:00 followed immediately by the half marathon. It was an interesting experience requiring two different running styles - the 5k speed run and then the 13.1 mile endurance run. I under-appreciated how much the 5k would impact the half. Exhausting, but “fun” to do. Once.
My longest run was a heavy half marathon in Leadville, 15.75 mi, my first trail run, loved it! But that's not my "distance" story" This morning I met someone and we got to talking and the subject of running came up. He's not a runner. But he told me a story of when he pulled up into his apartment complex years ago and a bunch of people were running in the opposite direction, so he started running too. Then he asked somebody what was going on, and they said they were a run group, out for their Wednesday night run. Lol! He stopped at that point but his take away from the story is that he ran with a running group, even if it was only a quarter mile. True? Maybe. Funny? Definitely.
When I was 63, I participated in the yearly American Cancer Society Walk For Cancer. Years earlier my father had died of lung cancer and my wife's father also passed from two different types. The year before, my wife and I lit candles and walked around the HS track where it was being held. The next year I decieded to go for broke. Being the purchasing manager at my company, they allowed me to hit up my venders for donations. Between friends, family and vendors I had forty-two people sponcer me for a $1.00 a mile. I even wore a white tee shirt with the names of people who'd had cancer and or had sponcered me. I set up a route so every two hours I'd pass my house. Water, food and a potty breaks are important. I started at 5:00 a.m. The furthest I'd ever run before was a marathon. One thing I did learn though. It's easier to run slowly than to walk. I did the last 10 miles on the quarter mile track at the local high school where the Walk For Cancer was being held. I stopped when I hit 63 miles. Our local newspaper was covering the event and took a picture of me when they heard what I was doing. A person never knows what they can really do until they try.
In my younger days, I did 50K's, about 9 total. At the end of each one, I always asked myself: Would you like to go 19 more miles right now (total 50 miles). The answer was always a hard no, so I never did the 50 mile. What a weenie.
Farthest I've ever gone is 15 miles by mistake. I was training for a Half Marathon--The Golden Gate, I think. Wound up in Bothell. WA with another runner and had to turn around and run home. I guess I was fit and it was no problem! Went for a walk up the hills here in Oregon yesterday. . . Couldn't have been more than a mile. (I'm still learning the streets!) but it was not as hard as expected. Then, last night, I watched the San Francisco Marathon video through all the miles. Got me jazzed to try running again.
Don't know if I'll try. . .It certainly is tempting. . . one of the few Marathons in the US during the summer months, which I enjoy. Who knows. . . maybe. . . my daughter is encouraging and she says she'd do it with me. At 77, I may and I'm crazy enough to try! These Oregon "Hills" are perfect training for San Francisco!
Walking again today. Still beautiful and clear--no rain yet.
Enjoy your 9 Miles. As I remember, it's a piece of cake, but it has been a while since I've been out on any Trail! :)
I’ve always wanted to do the Camino. (And I will!) The longest I’ve run is 14 miles. And I’m gearing up to run that distance tomorrow too -- it’ll be the longest run of this half marathon training program I’m doing. I’d like to do a marathon eventually -- sooner rather than later, I guess, as I’m aging -- but I find the distance to be mindboggling. I’m a big walker, and between that and running, I easily do 10 miles a day. But to run almost three times that much?! Gah! Does. Not. Compute.
What a coincidence that you mentioned the Camino. 2 couples that are friends just got back last week from walking part of it. One of them said it was a very moving experience. The most I’ve run is 26.2....maybe a little more when you add in getting to the marathon and then getting back home. I usually only run 18 as my longest before a marathon. I have 2 coming up but after that I’m not sure I will do anymore. I think the brutal training this summer has put a halt to future marathons....probably will stick to halves after this. But never say never!!!
Love this topic especially since you mention the Camino! Last year I ran the JFK 50 miler and found it to be a beginner friendly ultra. Previously had run a 50K at a looped course. I never have run an official marathon, the closest was doing 26 miles during an 8 hour race in December in New Jersey. And love the connection to the Camino, my son and I plan to walk it for 2-ish weeks after his high school graduation.
After 14 years of one-per-year marathoning, I ran my first 50k in 2012, and ramped-up from there. I'll run my tenth 100+ miler next year, and the farthest I've run is a 200k (Kerry Way - a wonderful race in Ireland that I think offers a shorter option, too).
But here's a secret... in many ways, it's easier to run a 100k than to race a marathon (or even an all-out 10k) — low intensity for a long time versus high intensity for a short time. Another secret... if you want to stay in the mid-pack as you get older, you can either work really, really hard, or you can choose longer distances where your declining top-end physical capacity is less important than your wisdom and experience.
I ran a marathon once, thought I’d run it again, and in the middle of the second one, around mile 12, I zonked. At that point I decided half marathons were my speed! (I did actually complete a ‘Wild and Wacky’ 50K once, which was a 5K every hour for 10 consecutive hours. Also not for me going forward!) Now, for hiking, I would like to complete the AT one day…but that will have to be at retirement age.
I have done a couple of woodsy 50ks. After each one, my feet hurt so much I could not imagine going any farther. I was thinking, at the time, about trying a 100k. But my feet... er.... put their feet down. I never had this problem after a road marathon 🤔 but there’s a lot more walking, and therefore time on my aching feet, on the trails. Regardless, I prefer 13.1 🤩
I’m thinking that I did a 28 mile run when training for a marathon. That was long ago. Now at 77 years young, my mind won’t let me think about it. But then… maybe, could I? Should I?
So far I only have a Half Marathon to claim..........it was a virtual (2020), but I carefully laid out the course to even include several hills at the end.........my niece took an easy pace with me that day and we finished !!! My goal was 3 hrs and 30 minutes..........I did it in 3: 13 (should have left out the hills at the end!!!) Even though I have taken a break from running it is still on my bucket list to do the Chicago Marathon........at 74, I am strengthening my body with CrossFit training and walking........(2 surgeries last year has slowed me down) ................I love runners they are the most encouraging and caring people on the earth and with CrossFit being a very close second!!! Be happy with what ever distance and time you have..........it is your race enjoy it!!!!!
I didn't start my running journey, seriously, until age 56, but somewhere around age 59-60, I went for the 1/2 marathon. At one event, I had to park in Timbuktu and walk to the start, then after, walk back. That walk to and from added to the total for the day of about 15 miles. No desire to try a full on marathon. Have I thought about it? Sure did, but not for long.
Great question. This raises a sort of itch in me. After starting running as a teenager and then extending my distances up to the marathon by age 19, I never got back to just running purely to extend the distance.
At age 35, The longest I have run without stopping is a marathon. The longest I have run in a day is 39 miles, composed of several relay legs over 24 hours. In both cases I was in good enough shape to push the envelope on pace throughout the whole distance.
I have set the intention of doing a longer distances several times and have never followed through. What sparks my imagination now is the simple idea of "how far can you go in XX hours?" 12 or 24? Let's just see.
I did the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati in 2008, and a house fire along the route that morning caused the course to be hastily re-routed, making it 26.5 miles instead of 26.2. Given that an ultramarathon is defined as "any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres (26 mi 385 yd)", I count this as my one ultra.
Right now, I'm just trying to wrap my head around the idea of running a marathon. The longest I've done so far is a half.
2x Virtual half. Since then recovering from injuries one after another.
I just ran 18.03 yesterday ~ my longest! Have 2, 20s coming up and then the marathon! I pinch myself that I ran that many miles - sometimes unbelievable. Love all the stories on this one Terrell, great motivation.
52 is my furthest. This November if all goes well I’ll do 100
26.63 is the longest marathon I have done. I’m contemplating one more full as I want to complete just 1 in the 60+ age group. It’s trying to find the motivation😳
26.2 miles once. Had to say I completed a marathon. No desire to do it again any time soon. And yet I hang out with people who regularly train for 100 mile races! It’s amazing what we can dedicate ourselves to doing.
What a cool question! I love the quote about the Camino. That cements my desire to walk it. Longest run has been the Half but lately Marathon is teasing me. I always say I don’t have the time to train for that but I’ve been training pretty intensively for my upcoming Half so . . . .
During Covid I ran a virtual half and accidentally went farther than 13.1. Just barely though. I’ve never really thought about going farther, but you’ve given me something to think about Terrell!
26.2 x 4. There's a 12 hour run nearby that I'd like to do next year and hopefully get to 30M.
26.2 x3 for me running, but I also like to walk. So, some day I too will do the Camino...its on my bucket list. Great question Terrell!
My longest is a half!🤪I’ve never wanted to run let alone train for a full marathon. Lately tho as I transition to more trail running I really am thinking of trying an ultra..so not sure where
To start a training or what distance! I think the appeal for me is that you never truly run a full ultra..lots of power hiking which I’m really good at and some have generous cut offs. Who knows...someday🙂
I ran 10 miles twice last year training for my first half. Unfortunately, I injured my hamstring the day before the race which I went to Jackson Hole, WY to run. I ended up doing the race, but it was a walk run. A real let down after 16 weeks of training, which is why I am really looking forward to Richmond. I am in awe of people who run marathons knowing what it takes to run (almost) half that. I started running late in life, and I think the half might be my max distance. I’m hella impressed by all the ultra runners here!
I ran 20 miles in 1978 when I was 17. Totally unprepared, hadn't eaten, bonked at 17 miles but somehow made it home. I've run several half-marathons in my 40's & 50's, my best being 1:44 in 2008. I mostly walk/hike now and mix some running in. I may try an ultra of some sort in the future - Across The Years in Arizona is practically in my back yard! I like the lack of emphasis on time and pace.
Last summer my husband and I walked the John Muir Way, 134 miles over about 10 days.
But my longest run has been the JFK 50 miler. Still can’t quite believe I did that.
I’ve run about 100 half marathons, but the one time I broke through that distance was the Canadian Army Run. The “Commander’s Challenge” was a 5k at 8:00 followed immediately by the half marathon. It was an interesting experience requiring two different running styles - the 5k speed run and then the 13.1 mile endurance run. I under-appreciated how much the 5k would impact the half. Exhausting, but “fun” to do. Once.
My longest run was a heavy half marathon in Leadville, 15.75 mi, my first trail run, loved it! But that's not my "distance" story" This morning I met someone and we got to talking and the subject of running came up. He's not a runner. But he told me a story of when he pulled up into his apartment complex years ago and a bunch of people were running in the opposite direction, so he started running too. Then he asked somebody what was going on, and they said they were a run group, out for their Wednesday night run. Lol! He stopped at that point but his take away from the story is that he ran with a running group, even if it was only a quarter mile. True? Maybe. Funny? Definitely.
I knew there were aid stations, but you're still doing a 100 MILES!!! Which is outstanding and a hell of an accomplishment.
When I was 63, I participated in the yearly American Cancer Society Walk For Cancer. Years earlier my father had died of lung cancer and my wife's father also passed from two different types. The year before, my wife and I lit candles and walked around the HS track where it was being held. The next year I decieded to go for broke. Being the purchasing manager at my company, they allowed me to hit up my venders for donations. Between friends, family and vendors I had forty-two people sponcer me for a $1.00 a mile. I even wore a white tee shirt with the names of people who'd had cancer and or had sponcered me. I set up a route so every two hours I'd pass my house. Water, food and a potty breaks are important. I started at 5:00 a.m. The furthest I'd ever run before was a marathon. One thing I did learn though. It's easier to run slowly than to walk. I did the last 10 miles on the quarter mile track at the local high school where the Walk For Cancer was being held. I stopped when I hit 63 miles. Our local newspaper was covering the event and took a picture of me when they heard what I was doing. A person never knows what they can really do until they try.
In my younger days, I did 50K's, about 9 total. At the end of each one, I always asked myself: Would you like to go 19 more miles right now (total 50 miles). The answer was always a hard no, so I never did the 50 mile. What a weenie.
Farthest I've ever gone is 15 miles by mistake. I was training for a Half Marathon--The Golden Gate, I think. Wound up in Bothell. WA with another runner and had to turn around and run home. I guess I was fit and it was no problem! Went for a walk up the hills here in Oregon yesterday. . . Couldn't have been more than a mile. (I'm still learning the streets!) but it was not as hard as expected. Then, last night, I watched the San Francisco Marathon video through all the miles. Got me jazzed to try running again.
Don't know if I'll try. . .It certainly is tempting. . . one of the few Marathons in the US during the summer months, which I enjoy. Who knows. . . maybe. . . my daughter is encouraging and she says she'd do it with me. At 77, I may and I'm crazy enough to try! These Oregon "Hills" are perfect training for San Francisco!
Walking again today. Still beautiful and clear--no rain yet.
Enjoy your 9 Miles. As I remember, it's a piece of cake, but it has been a while since I've been out on any Trail! :)
I’ve always wanted to do the Camino. (And I will!) The longest I’ve run is 14 miles. And I’m gearing up to run that distance tomorrow too -- it’ll be the longest run of this half marathon training program I’m doing. I’d like to do a marathon eventually -- sooner rather than later, I guess, as I’m aging -- but I find the distance to be mindboggling. I’m a big walker, and between that and running, I easily do 10 miles a day. But to run almost three times that much?! Gah! Does. Not. Compute.
What a coincidence that you mentioned the Camino. 2 couples that are friends just got back last week from walking part of it. One of them said it was a very moving experience. The most I’ve run is 26.2....maybe a little more when you add in getting to the marathon and then getting back home. I usually only run 18 as my longest before a marathon. I have 2 coming up but after that I’m not sure I will do anymore. I think the brutal training this summer has put a halt to future marathons....probably will stick to halves after this. But never say never!!!
Love this topic especially since you mention the Camino! Last year I ran the JFK 50 miler and found it to be a beginner friendly ultra. Previously had run a 50K at a looped course. I never have run an official marathon, the closest was doing 26 miles during an 8 hour race in December in New Jersey. And love the connection to the Camino, my son and I plan to walk it for 2-ish weeks after his high school graduation.
14 miles in prep for a half marathon. Planning on first full in 2024.
After 14 years of one-per-year marathoning, I ran my first 50k in 2012, and ramped-up from there. I'll run my tenth 100+ miler next year, and the farthest I've run is a 200k (Kerry Way - a wonderful race in Ireland that I think offers a shorter option, too).
But here's a secret... in many ways, it's easier to run a 100k than to race a marathon (or even an all-out 10k) — low intensity for a long time versus high intensity for a short time. Another secret... if you want to stay in the mid-pack as you get older, you can either work really, really hard, or you can choose longer distances where your declining top-end physical capacity is less important than your wisdom and experience.
26.2 seven times, and like Monte above, have an itch to do the AT.
I ran a marathon once, thought I’d run it again, and in the middle of the second one, around mile 12, I zonked. At that point I decided half marathons were my speed! (I did actually complete a ‘Wild and Wacky’ 50K once, which was a 5K every hour for 10 consecutive hours. Also not for me going forward!) Now, for hiking, I would like to complete the AT one day…but that will have to be at retirement age.
I have done a couple of woodsy 50ks. After each one, my feet hurt so much I could not imagine going any farther. I was thinking, at the time, about trying a 100k. But my feet... er.... put their feet down. I never had this problem after a road marathon 🤔 but there’s a lot more walking, and therefore time on my aching feet, on the trails. Regardless, I prefer 13.1 🤩
I’m thinking that I did a 28 mile run when training for a marathon. That was long ago. Now at 77 years young, my mind won’t let me think about it. But then… maybe, could I? Should I?
So far I only have a Half Marathon to claim..........it was a virtual (2020), but I carefully laid out the course to even include several hills at the end.........my niece took an easy pace with me that day and we finished !!! My goal was 3 hrs and 30 minutes..........I did it in 3: 13 (should have left out the hills at the end!!!) Even though I have taken a break from running it is still on my bucket list to do the Chicago Marathon........at 74, I am strengthening my body with CrossFit training and walking........(2 surgeries last year has slowed me down) ................I love runners they are the most encouraging and caring people on the earth and with CrossFit being a very close second!!! Be happy with what ever distance and time you have..........it is your race enjoy it!!!!!
Great questions! a resounding 26.2 is my record and that was almost 30 years ago. these days if i can do 8 i feel happy:)
I didn't start my running journey, seriously, until age 56, but somewhere around age 59-60, I went for the 1/2 marathon. At one event, I had to park in Timbuktu and walk to the start, then after, walk back. That walk to and from added to the total for the day of about 15 miles. No desire to try a full on marathon. Have I thought about it? Sure did, but not for long.
Great question. This raises a sort of itch in me. After starting running as a teenager and then extending my distances up to the marathon by age 19, I never got back to just running purely to extend the distance.
At age 35, The longest I have run without stopping is a marathon. The longest I have run in a day is 39 miles, composed of several relay legs over 24 hours. In both cases I was in good enough shape to push the envelope on pace throughout the whole distance.
I have set the intention of doing a longer distances several times and have never followed through. What sparks my imagination now is the simple idea of "how far can you go in XX hours?" 12 or 24? Let's just see.
I did the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati in 2008, and a house fire along the route that morning caused the course to be hastily re-routed, making it 26.5 miles instead of 26.2. Given that an ultramarathon is defined as "any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres (26 mi 385 yd)", I count this as my one ultra.