You've run the marathon. You crossed the finish line. You got the medal.
Now what?
For many runners, completing 26.2 miles is the ultimate goal—until it isn't. Once you've done it, a strange restlessness sets in. The marathon was transformative, but you can feel there's more. More challenge. More discovery. More of who you could become.
If you're looking for your next Misogi—a year-defining challenge that stretches you and makes the year unforgettable—running offers extraordinary options beyond the standard marathon.
Here are 10 Misogi ideas for runners ready to go further.
1. The Ultra: 50K, 50 Miles, or 100 Miles
The most obvious next step—and one of the most transformative.
An ultramarathon is any race longer than the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles. The common stepping stones are:
- 50K (31 miles): Just 5 more miles than a marathon, but psychologically different. Often run on trails, requiring new skills.
- 50 Miles: Double the marathon distance. This is where running becomes a mental game as much as a physical one.
- 100K (62 miles): A massive undertaking requiring genuine planning and possibly multiple aid station stops.
- 100 Miles: The pinnacle. Finishing a hundred-miler puts you in rare company. Most runners find this takes 24-30 hours of continuous movement.
Why it's a Misogi: Ultras break you open in ways marathons don't. Somewhere around mile 40 or 50, you'll question everything. Who you are. Why you're doing this. Whether you can continue. Pushing through that darkness changes you fundamentally.
Who it's for: Runners who found the marathon challenging but manageable. Those who want to explore the outer edges of endurance. People who are more interested in finishing than racing.
Considerations: Ultras require significant training volume—more weekly miles than marathon training. Many are on trails, requiring adaptation if you've only run roads. Stomach management becomes critical for longer distances.
2. The Speed Quest: Boston Qualifying Time
If you've run a marathon but weren't fast, chasing a Boston Qualifying (BQ) time is a different kind of challenge.
Boston Marathon qualifying times vary by age and gender, but for most runners, they represent a significant step up from simply finishing. A 40-year-old male needs to run 3:10 or faster. A 35-year-old female needs 3:35.
Why it's a Misogi: Speed and distance are different challenges. Many runners find speed harder than distance. Cutting 30-45 minutes off a marathon time requires not just more training but smarter training—tempo runs, intervals, race strategy, pacing discipline.
Who it's for: Runners who finished marathons comfortably but never pushed for time. Those who want to experience Boston, one of the world's great races. Competitive personalities who need a specific target.
Considerations: Speed training increases injury risk. Some runners are better suited for distance than speed based on physiology. The BQ is more dependent on race conditions than ultras—a hot day can destroy months of preparation.
3. The Multi-Marathon Year: 12 in 12 or 50 States
Instead of one peak, create a year of peaks.
12 Marathons in 12 Months: Run a marathon every month for a year. This creates an entirely different kind of challenge—managing training and recovery across a sustained campaign rather than peaking once.
50 States Marathon: Complete a marathon in every U.S. state (or significant progress toward it). This becomes as much a travel adventure as a running challenge.
Why it's a Misogi: Multiple marathons transform running from "something you do" to "who you are." The identity shift is profound. You're not someone who ran a marathon—you're someone who runs marathons regularly.
Who it's for: Runners who love race day experiences. Those who want the community and travel aspects of racing. People who recover quickly and don't need long buildups.
Considerations: Expensive—race fees and travel add up. Requires flexible schedule for travel. Risk of overtraining if you don't manage recovery. Some months you won't have an ideal race nearby.
4. The FKT: Fastest Known Time
An FKT is the fastest recorded time for completing a specific route. It could be a famous trail, a mountain circuit, or a local path that nobody's officially timed.
FKTs exist for everything from the Appalachian Trail (46+ days) to your local park loop (maybe unclaimed). Websites like fastestknowntime.com track verified efforts.
Why it's a Misogi: FKTs combine running with exploration and legacy. You're not just running a race—you're writing yourself into the history of a place. The challenge is often unsupported, requiring navigation, self-sufficiency, and problem-solving beyond pure running.
Who it's for: Adventure-oriented runners. Those who dislike formal races but love challenges. Runners who know a local route intimately and want to test their limits on home turf.
Considerations: FKTs often require GPS tracking and documentation for verification. Some FKTs are extremely competitive with elite times. Others are more accessible. Research your target route thoroughly.
5. The Vertical: Running a Major Peak
Running up a mountain is fundamentally different from running on flat ground.
Options range from volcano summits (Mount Fuji) to Colorado 14ers to iconic ascents like Pikes Peak or Mount Washington. Some have official races. Others are self-supported adventures.
Why it's a Misogi: Vertical gain humbles everyone. Even elite flat runners struggle with sustained climbing. The mountain adds elements of exposure, altitude, weather, and technical terrain. And the summit moment—looking down on where you started—is unforgettable.
Who it's for: Runners who love trail running and want a specific peak to chase. Those who want their Misogi to have a literal summit. Adventure-seekers who appreciate the combination of running, hiking, and sometimes scrambling.
Considerations: Altitude affects everyone differently. High-altitude running requires acclimatization. Weather windows can be narrow. Some peaks require permits or have specific rules about ascending on foot.
6. The Stage Race: Multi-Day Adventure
Stage races cover massive distances over multiple days, with each day being a separate running stage.
Famous examples include:
- Marathon des Sables: 156 miles across the Sahara over six days
- The Coastal Challenge: 150+ miles through Costa Rican jungle over six days
- TransRockies Run: 120 miles across the Colorado Rockies over six days
Why it's a Misogi: Stage races are complete adventures—not just running but camping, managing nutrition, dealing with conditions, and recovering overnight only to run again the next day. The accumulated fatigue and the camaraderie with other runners create unforgettable experiences.
Who it's for: Runners seeking adventure beyond pure racing. Those who want international running experiences. People who enjoy the camping and community aspects of multi-day events.
Considerations: Expensive (race fees, travel, gear). Self-sufficiency required for some races—you carry everything you need. Extended time commitment including travel.
7. The Time-on-Feet Challenge: Run Every Day
Forget distance. Focus on consistency.
Run every single day for a year. Not far—just run. At least one mile. Rain, snow, sickness, exhaustion—you run.
The current run streak record exceeds 50 years. You're not chasing that—you're discovering what a year of daily running does to your identity and capability.
Why it's a Misogi: This isn't about big days. It's about what happens when there are no zero days. The cumulative effect of 365 consecutive days of running—even short runs—is transformative. You become someone for whom running isn't optional. It's who you are.
Who it's for: Runners who struggle with consistency more than intensity. Those who find rest days turn into rest weeks. People who want to build an unshakeable identity as a runner.
Considerations: Injury management becomes crucial—you can't take days off. Most streakers emphasize easy effort on most days. The mental challenge of continuing through illness, travel, and life disruptions is significant.
8. The Cross-Training Triathlon: Ironman or Bust
What if your running Misogi... wasn't purely running?
An Ironman triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run) uses running as the final discipline but requires learning two entirely new sports.
Why it's a Misogi: For a runner, Ironman is humbling. The swim and bike aren't just formalities—they're serious athletic challenges. And then you run a marathon on legs already exhausted from hours of prior effort. The multi-sport nature forces growth in uncomfortable new directions.
Who it's for: Runners ready for a complete transformation, not just running improvement. Those who want to prove they're athletes, not just runners. People who have access to pools and bikes (or are willing to invest).
Considerations: Time-intensive. Training volume for Ironman is substantial—12-15+ hours per week for serious preparation. Equipment costs for cycling are significant. Swimming requires technique development that doesn't transfer from running.
9. The Charity Challenge: 1000 Miles for a Cause
Choose a cause. Set a mileage target. Run 1000 miles in a year while raising money.
This transforms running from personal achievement into community contribution. You're not just logging miles—you're raising funds for something that matters.
Why it's a Misogi: Adding external purpose to physical challenge creates deeper motivation. When running gets hard, the cause carries you. And the act of raising money, sharing your journey, and building community around the challenge makes the year about more than just you.
Who it's for: Runners who feel self-focused goals lack meaning. Those who want to connect running to something larger. Community-minded people who enjoy rallying others around a cause.
Considerations: Requires energy for fundraising, not just running. The cause should be something you genuinely care about—performative charity won't sustain you through the dip. 1000 miles is roughly 20 miles per week, achievable for most committed runners.
10. The Personal Record Year: PRs at Every Distance
Make it the year you set personal records at every standard distance.
- 5K PR
- 10K PR
- Half marathon PR
- Marathon PR
Four races, four PRs. One year of relentless improvement.
Why it's a Misogi: This challenge requires strategic periodization—you can't peak for everything simultaneously. It demands understanding your body, planning your racing calendar, and executing across different racing demands. And seeing four lifetime bests in a single year is unforgettable.
Who it's for: Competitive runners who love racing. Those with a solid base of experience at multiple distances. People who want variety within the challenge rather than a single massive goal.
Considerations: Injury derails this completely—you need to stay healthy across the entire year. Racing fatigued can produce disappointing results. Strategic planning of training cycles matters.
Choosing Your Running Misogi
When selecting your challenge, consider:
What scares you? The 50% rule suggests your Misogi should have about a 50% chance of success. If you're confident you'll finish, it might not be ambitious enough.
What excites you? Fear alone won't sustain you through the dip. You need genuine excitement about the challenge, not just resume-building.
What fits your life? Some of these require significant travel, expense, or time. Be honest about what's realistic given your circumstances.
What would transform you? The point of a Misogi isn't completion—it's who you become in pursuit of it. Which challenge would create the most meaningful growth?
For more guidance on selection, read our complete guide on how to choose your Misogi or explore our broader list of 50 Misogi ideas.
Track Your Running Misogi
Whatever you choose, the Misogi app can help you track daily progress toward your running goal.
- Define your challenge with a clear, measurable target
- Log daily training to see consistency compound
- Watch your year fill up with evidence of pursuit
- Stay accountable with a community of people chasing big goals
The marathon was the beginning. Your next Misogi is waiting.
Key Takeaways
- After a marathon, many runners feel restless for a bigger challenge—that's the call of your next Misogi
- Options beyond marathons include: ultras (50K to 100 miles), speed quests (BQ time), multi-marathon years, FKTs, vertical running (peak summits), multi-day stage races, daily run streaks, Ironman triathlon, charity challenges, and PR year campaigns
- Choose based on what scares you (50% success odds), what excites you, what fits your life, and what would transform you most
- The best running Misogi isn't just about completion—it's about who you become through the pursuit