Question for runners...

BenKnowsFitness
BenKnowsFitness Posts: 451 Member
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
During your your run, which mile feels like the longest? The first or the last one? For me it varies but it is usually the first one.
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Replies

  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I find the first ten minutes hardest. At the end of the run, I'm mostly going on adrenalin and feel pretty good. (Not that I'm doing very long distances at the moment, but I've covered more ground pre-injury.)
  • vanessaclarkgbr
    vanessaclarkgbr Posts: 731 Member
    Yes, most definitely the first ten minutes for me - toxic 10! Yuck - I definitely want to give up!
  • lulabellewoowoo
    lulabellewoowoo Posts: 3,125 Member
    I have a 6 mile outside course that I run around my house and it's the first 1.5 miles that I have to convince myself not to turn around on, not convincing myself that the 3 miles that I would complete if I turned around would be enough. I called it my PONR "point of no return". After that, it's just easier for me to keep going and get 'er done.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I love the PONR. I have a similar thing - a point where I know I've gone about 10 minutes, and I know if I get to that, I'll be ok....
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I have had some pretty bad last few miles before. Last year I was not prepared enough for the half marathon I was running and really really hit the wall. Those last 3 miles were beyond bad. But in general, the first one is always the hardest. I like the PONR someone posted above. I agree, I am the same way.
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    usually the first...sometimes the last, if I am really wiped out.
  • Sharonbed4d
    Sharonbed4d Posts: 163
    The first few miles and the last mile on longer runs.
  • nukehiker
    nukehiker Posts: 457
    yes for me it's the first 10 minutes, so about 1 mile or close to it....
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    The first is always the worst for me under normal conditions. Unless you're talking a marathon - and then it's somewhere between miles 18 and 22 that are just agony for me.
  • addierama
    addierama Posts: 3
    The first mile is hard, I am currently training for my 2nd Half marathon. I'm to to MFP:)


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  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    Fist, but because it always IS the longest time wise as I am getting into it and warming up.
  • RunningAddict
    RunningAddict Posts: 548 Member
    Usually the first 6.
  • sjtreely
    sjtreely Posts: 1,014 Member
    I very rarely have a negative split. Most often I have positive splits, so that would be rationale for the last mile being the toughest. But in my brain, I really like the, "You're almost home. You can do this," chant I repeat to myself during the last mile(s).

    I really, really like the PONR - which to me is the half way point of an out and back. It's when I realize no matter what, I have to get home so I might as well put the sole to the road.
  • valeriebpdx
    valeriebpdx Posts: 497 Member
    I always find the first mile hard. When I used to run very long, I often found miles ~15-17 difficult, but the last ones were OK. Once I got within a half hour of finishing, I was always OK.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Depends on what and where I'm running. If its a loop it's the first if it's out and back it's the end. Not sure why.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    May I ask you runners another question?

    How long did it take you to consider yourself runners? Did you start out hating it? If so, at what point did you stop hating it?
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    May I ask you runners another question?

    How long did it take you to consider yourself runners? Did you start out hating it? If so, at what point did you stop hating it?

    I considered myself a runner from my first race, really.

    I hated it for the first 6 months, when I only went once a week. Once I started running more, I enjoyed it.
  • Angelie28
    Angelie28 Posts: 197 Member
    For me its not the first or the last really its somewhere in the middle that's why I make my runs outside take me far away from my house so i cant just stop in the middle i need to get back home .

    To the above poster yes at first I did hate it but then I experienced a runner's high and I just haven't looked back since. Nothing really compares to how you feel after a long run when you were really pushing yourself
  • sjtreely
    sjtreely Posts: 1,014 Member
    May I ask you runners another question?

    How long did it take you to consider yourself runners? Did you start out hating it? If so, at what point did you stop hating it?

    You're considered a runner when you have both feet off the ground at the same time and moving in a forward motion. Humans have two gaits - running and walking. You're walking when you have one foot on the ground while the other one is off the ground.

    Another way to determine if you're a runner vs. a jogger (which is a moot point considering what I just wrote) is whether or not you stop to pick things up while you're on your run. Pffft ... I don't stop for anything less than paper money. Therefore I am a runner. If I was out for stroll, I'd pick up any denomination of money. :smile:

    Also, runners have a destination. Joggers just go aimlessly about. :smile:

    Lastly, if you're reading this post you're a runner because the OP's topic is "Question for runners...."
  • aweightymatter
    aweightymatter Posts: 222
    On a long run of 8 miles and up, I find the SECOND TO LAST mile to be the worst!! The first one is fun for me -- it's a warm-up and I'm getting into the groove. The last one I finish on adrenaline and happiness. But I think the second to last one is so tough mentally because you're SO CLOSE to the end, yet still a little far.
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    May I ask you runners another question?

    How long did it take you to consider yourself runners? Did you start out hating it? If so, at what point did you stop hating it?

    I never hated running, but it was so hard for me at first and I hated how out of shape I was...
    I started feeling like a real runner when I could run a mile without stopping...but I've now completed a half marathon and there are still days when I doubt that I am a "real" runner :blushing:
  • llkilgore
    llkilgore Posts: 1,169 Member
    The first mile is difficult, by the 3rd mile I feel like I can run forever, and it starts to get difficult again around mile 7 or 8.

    I felt like a runner the first time I ran in bad weather because, well... it was a run day and that's what I do. I don't mind a little rain so long as no thunderstorms are in the area.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    On a regular run - the first half (or bit more) mile. But, on my longest runs (longest 13 miles so far), definitley the last mile or two when my legs are just so tired and I have to run uphill to get home. That's hard!
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I usually start slow and finish fast on my training runs - neg splits all the way. Until I crack a sweat (about 2 miles in) I move pretty slow.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Thanks for answering my question. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, you just all seem to be experienced runners. I hope to get there someday.
  • BenKnowsFitness
    BenKnowsFitness Posts: 451 Member
    There are those who run 26 miles in just over 2 hours. I guess they are serious runners. I think of myself as a recreational runner, I put in 10-20 miles a week or so. BUT, I'd say anyone who is running more than 2 or 3 times a week can be classified as a runner, regardless of distance.
  • HisPathDaily
    HisPathDaily Posts: 672 Member
    First couple miles are usually the most difficult by far ... there are those times that I'm in the "zone" and I don't even feel a thing the whole run ... wish those happened more often on race days! ;P
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Every half I have done ... mile 4 is the suck point. I feel awful and I just dont see how I am possibly going to finish. By mile 10 when other people are falling off pace and whining about it .. I am feeling awesome!

    My mantra is "as it goes longer, I get stronger" :)
  • HisPathDaily
    HisPathDaily Posts: 672 Member
    It's all about you isn't it?? *sigh* ... :)

    I never thought I would like running, and when I started it was all for health, nothing out of enjoyment ... For me, like many things in my life, it was a moment. It was the first time (much like today) as it was snowing outside ... I put on my newly purchased warm running gear, laced up, and ran as the snow was hitting my face ... it was only a 2-3 mile run, and I wasn't fast (still ain't) but I was running and thought to myself ... hmm ... I'm a runner! :)

    The races really help keep the motivation too ... for all the money I spend on other crap, I figured that for 20-30 bucks a month I'll be racing one race a month in 2012 ... 5ks, 10ks, and even a warrior dash ... gives me something to train for and [for me] there is nothing like finishing a race ... you feel so good!
    Thanks for answering my question. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, you just all seem to be experienced runners. I hope to get there someday.
  • kcgslp
    kcgslp Posts: 203 Member
    I hate the first mile! I think it's that crappy mile that makes people think they "can't run"

    A while back I was using a new watch one day to time each miles and boy was that first mile slower.... it was then that I realized why the 1 mile warm-up is ESSENTIAL to running your best 5K.
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