Runners! When do you hit your stride?

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  • AubreySue81
    AubreySue81 Posts: 167 Member
    At around 3 miles in... the first 1.5 miles is the hardest for me.. when i hit 3 miles, i can feel the endorphins kick in.. my breathing is steady and my legs keep to the beat of my music.. i make sure i have some awesome tunes in my ipod to pick me up and keep me going... a lot about running for me has to do with the music... :D

    ^^^ This is me as well. :smile:
  • mnstrpc
    mnstrpc Posts: 109
    If the temperature is above 75 degrees, every mile is tough.

    DEFINITELY agree with this. I struggle with heat/humidity every summer. You'd think I'd get used to it, since it gets hot and humid every summer in SW Ohio, and I do adapt somewhat. But I think I struggle more with hot weather runs than some folks. I just have a lot more fun when it's 70 or cooler. :)
  • Mama_Jag
    Mama_Jag Posts: 474 Member
    Usually around 20 minutes, regardless of how I am pacing that day.
  • iluvprettyshoes
    iluvprettyshoes Posts: 605 Member
    I am the exact same way! Just plan to run a negative split. Run slower your first half of the race then ramp it up for the last 1/2 after you feel the rhythm. A lot of racers do that.
  • oOMusicBabii
    oOMusicBabii Posts: 494
    First mile is always total crap and a storm of wheezing, but after that, my breathing levels out, I fall into stride and just go.

    Still slow as molasses but I like the distance more than the speed.
  • sarafil
    sarafil Posts: 506 Member
    I never feel like I am in the groove until mile 3-4. I thought this would get better with time, but it never has....so I'm figuring that is just the way it is going to be. This is the reason why I don't do many 5ks, and like 10ks and halfs!
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    OK. I used to run track, cross country, marathons, etc. back when 15 miles a day was nothing. But that was 30 years ago. So, at 50 I find myself just working up to 4 mile runs, lol.

    But, one thing that has become more important to me now is having a proper warm up. I notice a huge difference during all parts of my run when I do and when I don't warm up. It seems to serve as a foundation and base for my run that day and its effects last all the way to the end. That dreaded first mile is much more pleasant and near the end of my run I feel exhilerated and have to force myself to stop WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I did a good warm up. I'm not talking much. Just some basic stretches (done very gently since I'm well aware you really shouldn't stretch cold muscles and tendons) and then a brisk walk then slow jog- at about 1/2 mile I then turn on the stopwatch and kick it. I know there are a lot of variables, shoes, company, mood, hydration, weather, time of day, etc. but this seems to have the most impact on me right now.

    You could also be hitting a conditioning plateau. So, there will be a few days or weeks that are harder as you butt up against the plateau but after you bust through it this will go away to reveal your next plateau that is a few miles further.
  • laurcampbell
    laurcampbell Posts: 54 Member
    I am with you - no matter what distance I set out for 5k or 22 miles it takes me at least 3 miles before I hit my stride and feel ready to rock and roll
  • TKHappy
    TKHappy Posts: 659 Member
    Yup :) it's usually around the 3 mile mark for me! The girl I do races with loves 5k's and I'm not a fan (so as not to lose a running buddy, I do a 2 mile warm up run before I do the 5k races). I also noticed that at mile 7 I get another endorphin boost! :)

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