Running a 10k is a huge accomplishment that everyone should experience at least once. Sure, it requires some time, dedication, and training (unless you’re super athletic and can just get up to run 6 miles).
But I promise it’s absolutely worth it to try. Stick with me for the next three minutes and I’ll tell you what’s in store if you commit to running a 10k at least once.
1. It’s a great challenge
Pushing yourself to run 10 kilometers is a challenge by most standards. You would need to summon the discipline to train, eat right and prepare for the race.
The biggest challenge comes during the race itself when your lungs, heart, and legs beg you to stop but, by sheer force of will, you keep pushing. And like all challenges, it’s incredibly satisfying when you eventually complete it.
2. Training helps you get in shape
Depending on your fitness level, you can train for 10k in as little as 2 weeks (Here’s a great training plan that can help). During your training, you’ll burn calories, increase your endurance, and of course, get in better shape. If you decide to cross-train on some days, you may even build strength in your core and legs
3. Understand your body better
Some people are naturally gifted at running, while others (like me) have to train and train to run half as fast. Until you decide to challenge yourself, you’ll never know just how great you are at running.
And if you do the 10k and absolutely hate it, you’ll know that it may be time for a different kind of cardio.
[bctt tweet=”Running a 10k helps you understand your body better. You’ll learn if you’re a gifted runner or if you prefer other forms of cardio.”]
4. Street credibility
Do you know how people who do CrossFit feel compelled to tell everyone about it? It’s because of how challenging the training can be. When you apply yourself and accomplish something difficult, you earn respect and naturally want to share it with people around you.
While you don’t have to tell everyone you’ve completed a 10K, running one will give you street credibility (even if it’s been a while since you ran.)
5. Meet new people
Signing up for a local race could help you form new connections that lead to friendships and business opportunities. And don’t worry because you won’t only meet adrenaline junkies at the race.
There will be people looking to have fun and challenge themselves, just like you. You could even bond over how tough it was to train for the run.
6. It’s easier than you think
Training for a 10K isn’t a breeze, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. You’d be training about 5 times a week maximum, and you can be ready for the race within 6 weeks.
What’s even better is that 10Ks don’t take that long. No matter how slow your pace is, you can be done with the actual race in less than two hours and start enjoying the street credibility I talked about earlier.
[bctt tweet=”Training for a 10K isn’t as hard as you’d think. The actual race is also quite short, and you can be done in under 2 hours. “]
7. A half marathon won’t feel as daunting
A half marathon is roughly double the length of a 10K. That may sound like a lot but remember that a 10K is double the length of a 5K. If you can complete a 10K, there’s really nothing stopping you from taking on a half-marathon.
8. It’s great for your mental health
According to Hopkinsmedicine, running “blunts the brain’s response to physical and emotional stress.” Running, among other things, floods your system with endorphins that basically help you feel good.
Try running in the mornings so you can get the endorphin boost and prepare to take on your day.
[bctt tweet=”Running blunts the brain’s response to physical and emotional stress”]
9. You may pick up a habit
You won’t know how you really feel about running until you try it; training for, and eventually running a 10k is an awesome way to do that. You’ll run short and long distances and really get a sense of what you like and don’t like.
Like me, you may just find yourself running every Saturday morning even after your 10k is complete.
10. Join the club and become a runner
There’s this misconception that you’re only a runner if you run certain times every week. Because of this, most people feel like a fraud when they call themselves a runner. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
As John Bingham once put it, “It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get.”
[bctt tweet=”It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. – John Bingham”]
But if you still feel like you have to “earn” the title of runner, what better way to do so than to complete a 10k run?
