[BrewPat]

Total posts: 5068

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Well, "best" is a bit subjective. I love 5K's. However, compared to what I can do in longer distances, it isn't my "best" racing distance. The only distance I'm not a huge fan of is the mile on a track. That 3rd lap just sucks.

If you are trying to find out what event your are best at to modify your training (i.e. track work and such), then I'd say look at how you finish races. If you find yourself outkicking most people toward then end, then utilize longer track work. If you find you struggle to hold people off or get taken at the line, then maybe you need shorter track sessions.

Others will disagree with me, but I don't think track work should be tailored to the event you are running. It is more about tailoring it to the runner's strength's and weaknesses. I'm not saying you should do the same track work for a 5K as you would for a marathon, I'm just saying that the track work you do should focus more on your weaknesses and not a blanket "5K workout".

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[stopcecil!]

Total posts: 280

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Here is the best advice, ask yourself this questions. What race am I best at? What races do I do well at? Instead of asking everyone else just ask yourself.

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[stopcecil!]

Total posts: 280

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Just run what you want to run, the mile is a hell of a lot of fun. I just go out there with a goal time in mind, and if I am on a track I am try to hit the splits for that time, then on the last lap I go all out. Part of racing is learning how to be mentally tough and how exactly to race but it always varies. As far as 800s, and down it should be all out since those are sprints and not distance races (even though in high school 800 is considered distance). I have no done a marathon but I would say it might be up your alley but first try some shorter distances and really take time and build a nice little base. How many miles are you putting in each week, and what is your long run?

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[Scooby]

Total posts: 74

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I am really excited about running a 1 mile race in an indoor track this winter. I ran a 1 mile road race on memorial day, but i don't think i was prepared mentally for it, and it was pretty spread out. My best 5k was when there were 3 people very close to me, the harder i pushed, the better i felt. It doesn't make sense to me. This is one reason i'm really looking forward to it. Currently, i am putting in between 50-75 mpw. Before my last marathon in september, my long runs were from 18-26 miles. I don't plan on going past 22 for long runs in the future for a normal marathon. The plan is to build a better base over the winter and maybe run a couple short distance races just to see what they're really like and see how good i can do. I don't have racing flats yet though.

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[Minus]

Total posts: 323

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Go here: http://www.runbayou.com/jackd.htm and plug in all of your racing times. The one that gives you the highest number is probably your best, though it's usually skewed with extremely long or extremely short distances.

The site uses Jack Daniels' running formula, mentioned earlier.

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[Scooby]

Total posts: 74

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Thanks minus... i've seen something like that before. http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/trainingcalculator/0,7169,s6-238-277-279-0-0-0-0-0,00.html
it's a training predictor calculator which predicts about what you should run different distances based on a current race. i'm not sure how accurate it is though. I don't know if you can really measure how much progress you're making in a variety of distances at several points throughout the year since each one is raced differently and recovery is needed. Like you won't run a 1 mile races close to a marathon and a marathon wouldn't normally be run every month. I'm probably going to end up racing many shorter distances and find out what it's like after i learn how to race them. I'm used to pacing myself for the most part and i've never gone all out.

and stopcecil, i've learned that you can learn good tips from just about anyone, whether they are slower or faster than you.

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