I have a theory about running...

Raylea00

I find the first two miles the hardest. After that, I can just keep going.

I find the first two the hardest as well. Glad it is not just me. After that, I have found my rhythm.

BucsGirl4Life

Not true for me. I find the first two miles the hardest. After that, I can just keep going. I race better at longer distances as well.
The only reason I end up doing 3 miles often is the time crunch, not lack of enjoyment.
[/quote

Me too! I dread my first two miles, but once I'm on to mile 3, I'm ready to go as far as I can. I usually do my long runs on Sundays and they average anywhere from 5 to 12 miles depending on what else I have planned for the day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I average 3.5 to 6 miles. I used to HATE running, now I wish I had time to do some type of running every day.]

toddjg

I agree with much of this too.
1. The first two mile are the toughest - once you are in a routine, yo hit a "zone" after a few miles and it does seem you could run forever.
2. The average is probably driven by a few things:
- Popularity of the 5K distance for beginners "I want to get to 5K"
- 5K as a minimum for longer runners "If I can't do at least a 5K, I am not bothering"
- Time - a 5k is less than a half hour run - easy to fit in

BrianSharpe

I'm not sure how statistically valid the sample is (you may find a completely different result polling Garmin users.....) but it's the longer runs that I enjoy the most. The run is its own reward.

iluvprettyshoes

My own personal experience is that it can be boring sometimes and yes, I've had painful injuries but the endorphin rush I get from running is not one I've been able to get from any other type of exercise no matter how hard I push myself! So I guess it's an addiction for me!

SueGremlin

I find the FIRST mile the most difficult and I almost always have to push myself to get through it. Once I get past that, I would rather run than walk. It's easier on my old joints. :laugh:

After mile 3, I feel like I could go on forever. All day. It feels fantastic.

iluvprettyshoes

I disagree with your theory. Once I hit about mile 4, I feel like I can forever. That's when I get my wind. Up until mile 2 or so, I'm sort of warming up, and feel slow.

That's my experience too. It becomes easier & I can run faster.

cls_333

Well this sure isn't true for me. I love running more than just about anything, and the longer the better. I never run under 5 miles at a time (I do about 40+ miles per week). This first mile or two are always the hardest for me. I am injured at the moment, and I can't even tell you how depressed I am that I can't run. Running makes me feel so much better, and gives me so much energy. I feel completely lost without it.

dawnemjh

I also disagree. I find the first couple miles the hardest. Actually the hardest part is walking out the door!!! I find the longer I run, the better I feel regardless of whether I am training for a race or not!!!

fabfindz05

I've been running for almost a year and I love it.. The first couple of miles are tough, but I settle in after that. I run between 20-25 miles per week. Running is social for me. I look forward to running with the group.
Sure, I get aches and pains but it goes away.

The hardest part about running is putting my feet on the floor when that alarm goes off at 4:15.

ChaseAlder

I've heard plenty of "hardcore" runners say that they don't actually enjoy the running itself, they only really enjoy the racing or the accomplishment of the mileage. I've also noticed that the entire Nike+ community averages about 3 miles per run. I have a theory that running starts to get boring, painful, or otherwise un-enjoyable after that 4th mile or so.

Runners, any thoughts?

I disagree. The running is enjoyable for me after I'm warmed up, a couple miles in. I get into a groove and I love feeling my body working efficiently. The racing and accomplishments are nice, but they aren't what I think about when I get up at 4:30am to lace up. I feel powerful when I run. I feel like I'm making myself better.

JustJennie1

I've heard plenty of "hardcore" runners say that they don't actually enjoy the running itself, they only really enjoy the racing or the accomplishment of the mileage. I've also noticed that the entire Nike+ community averages about 3 miles per run. I have a theory that running starts to get boring, painful, or otherwise un-enjoyable after that 4th mile or so.

Runners, any thoughts?

I enjoy running. Truly. I enjoy racing for the adrenaline rush and the accomplishment of crossing that finish line. I also enjoy my leisurely runs that I do on the treadmill. It's been a while since I've done a "long" run (my cardio is 30 min. so my typical run is 3 - 3.5 miles in that time) but even when I do a 6 miler outside I still enjoy it. The only time I didn't enjoy running was when I was training for a half marathon and that was because the schedule was so regimented and I was forced to run even when I didn't feel like it. There were a lot of times where I dreaded the long run and hit the wall at 2 miles and I still had 5-7 more to go! I'm more of a "run when I want to/however fast/however far". If I'm forced to run then I really don't like it all that much.

ritmeyer

I love running, especially longer distances. Not boring, it's my release, my mediation. Around mile 4-5 is where my runs get super comfortable and I feel great.

As far as the Nike+. I run 15-20 miles a week average. I use that app only when I'm trying to measure a new route or when I'm training and more than half my mileage in a week I don't use it. My husband runs 25-30 a week & has never used nike+ or any GPS app.

krisiepoo

The first few steps through the first mile are the worst for me... my muscles are trying to get into the routine of running another day. My most enjoyable distance (thus far) is around 7 miles but i'm currently training for a 1/2 then doing a full marathon in June so my weekly mileage is going to up considerably soon and I can't wait. There is JOY in pushing yourself to what you never thought you could do.

atsteele

I have been running for over 18 years. And I don't do anything that I don't enjoy. LOL

Personally, at this point in my life, 4 or 5 miles is just a warm up. I truly love to run. And thanks be to God who has gifted me the ability to do so.

jooonesy

I just started running about 2 months ago and I used to hate. I have to say that initially, the first mile or 2 did suck for me... Felt like I was going to pass out and I wanted to quit. But I've learned over time to pace myself and that there's nothing wrong with slowing down if you need to. So now I average anywhere from 3-6 miles per run, depending on how much time I have and I absolutely love it. I think ultimately training your body to run properly will alleviate that boring or tired feeling.

Culley34

Stick with it, but listen to your body. Soreness is normal -- remember to ice your knees, shins, ankles etc... if they get sore. Don't be afraid to add in an extra rest day.

It gets much easier and as the serious runners can attest - it becomes a way to unwind. It's basically meditation. There have been times when I've been running and zoned out so much that I've blinked and I realized that I've been going for 6 or 7 miles and it only feels like 5 minutes.

FWIW - I'm doing about 40-50 miles (on 5 days of running) and 1 day of cross training on my road bike for 45-80 minutes. It depends on if it's a stepback week or not for me.

I find that once you break into a comfortable fitness base with running, it becomes much more enjoyable.

When I was getting myself into decent shape-- I didn't enjoy it.

After I was able to run 3-4 miles, relatively easily, then up the mileage -- I found it to be relaxing and a great way to de-stress after a day of sitting in the office.

Culley - I have just started c25k. I dont like running so much. Yr post gives me something to look forward to.

scottb81

Runs are never boring but sometimes they are painful either because the workout is very hard or because the workout the day before was hard and the body is still tired. But I enjoy the process of improving and figuring out the best ways to get that improvement; and especially being able to beat a whole lot of people 30 years younger than me in races.

MtnKat

I love to run and run an average of about 5-6 miles a run 3-4 days a week.

I hate racing.

Did I mention that I hate racing?

That doesn't make me a lesser runner.

I also have a friend who hates going beyond 3 miles. To each his own :-)

I think your theory is off. It's too generalized to be a theory but nice try ;-)

jturnerx

... I really wanted to get home and make pancakes.

I'm totally making pancakes now!

CarsonRuns

... I really wanted to get home and make pancakes.

I'm totally making pancakes now!

I'll be right over!

sjohnny

... I really wanted to get home and make pancakes.

I'm totally making pancakes now!

stingrayinfl

Long training runs are the best part of running. I enjoy them. Running helps me more mentally than physical.
As far as races go, I run where they have the best post race food.

adietron

Thanks for your input everyone! Looks like there's a great deal of individual variation. Maybe the Nike+ community is skewed because the average runner only has about 30 minutes of time to run, rather than a disinterest in running more than 3 miles?

rybo

I think your theory is flawed.
3 miles is roughly a 5K the most popular racing distance, so often that's all people run. PLus that puts most at about 30 minuts or so. I don't think it has anything to do with mile #4 being boring or painful.

I still dont understand people who hate running but still do it. If I hate something, I'm NOT willingly going to do it.
I run because I enjoy it. Sometimes more than other times.

Erinthebodo

I run marathon and I really love the longer runs. It is not just the physical part, I get a lot of mental benefits from distance running. Ironically.... I used to hate running more than 3 miles but once I started training for a marathon I started to love it

californiagirl2012

I've heard plenty of "hardcore" runners say that they don't actually enjoy the running itself, they only really enjoy the racing or the accomplishment of the mileage. I've also noticed that the entire Nike+ community averages about 3 miles per run. I have a theory that running starts to get boring, painful, or otherwise un-enjoyable after that 4th mile or so.

Runners, any thoughts?

I have been a runner for over 30 years; from 3 miles up to 50 and all distances in between and HIIT. I LOVE running and always have. Well except at the beginning when my body was adjusting to it. I love sprints, I love long easy runs outside, I love moderate paces, I love all of it. I'll admit the last 6 miles of a marathon are tough, as is the last 10 miles of a 50 miler. But overall if you put in the miles your body adjusts and you crave and enjoy it.

dsjohndrow

I effing hate running! However, it feels so good, I can't stop myself.

It's my place to pray, to have some me time, to be grateful I am no longer in ICU with a heart condition, to feel healthy, to feel the wind, to experience life from the inside out and feel young! I like the challenge of time and distance, and I am addicted to endorphins, it's almost as good as sex!!

bunchesonothing

I love my runs and feel better two miles in. 10 miles in is when I start getting giddy.

zombiesama

I start getting bored at the 9 mile mark.