RUNNERS: come here!

I'm at a 14 minute mile (or so)...I've been running on and off for the last 14 years but I stepped it up this year to do a duathalon in September (run/bike/run). I'm an idiot because I've never run (or biked) any race in my life, but I needed the challenge this year. No, that feeling never goes away in the first 10 minutes...there's always something that can keep you from running, but if you push past that -- you are good to go!

So I started running as an exercise in the middle of April. I pretty much run 2 miles per run about 4 times a week with a pace of 8-8:30 per mile now. Ran a 5k about 3 weeks ago at 26:02 even though I hadn't run that far in the daily running.

All that said, even with only running 2 miles the first mile is still hard! Like you, I am hoping that will change so that my normal run is more in the 3 to 4 mile range.

I started seriously running in Jan. of this year and still that first mile is a bummer, the first 2 for me actually!! I find I get spurts of energy at the 4th mile, the 6th and the 8th! I just ran my first 10k trail run...lots of hills and I had a pace of 11:28...I was the turtle in that race! Usually distance doesn't affect my time...I will range between 9:30 - 10:30 on a flat surface! When I started though I was at 12:00....so there was improvement!!

I'm 45, ran track in h.s. and gave it up til about 8 years ago. I started doing 5k's and 10k's, then my first half-marathon last year and first full this year. My most recent half a few weeks ago was 1:45 (about 8 min per mile) but my fastest time was an 8k at 39:24 (about 7:50). I train between 8-9 min per mile. My next goal is to get my half-marathon time in the 1:30s (1:37-1:39 would be great!).

I'm still wondering when it gets easier and I've been told time and time again...with time it will eventually. I finished C25K a week or two ago and run about a 13 minute mile at a 5K distance. And that's my limit right now - 5K. By the end of that, I'm dying LOL. My average HR for that kind of run is around 171, with the max hitting the low 190's.

When I started, my HR was around 172 if I even thought about breaking into a jog. It has slowly gone down, and my runs feel "easy" when my HR is in the 130's. My regular runs it's usually in the 140's-but gets into the 150's if I'm going faster. My last 5k, my avg HR was 162-and that felt nowhere near "easy"! But I'm slower than you too. My 5k race pace was about your regular pace-my regular runs are much slower, my long runs even slower than that. But I prefer slower and easier over gasping and panting.

I have been running for about a year and a half and despite having a fairly active lifestyle found running to be a whole different ball game fitness wise and struggled at 2.5km runs. Hardwork paid off and I ran my first race (Grim Original 8 mile) 4 months after and from then on have been hooked. I am ran a Marathon in April (not the London but my own training run) in preperation for a 50 mile Ultra in August.

Pacing wise my long runs usually average around 9:30 to 10:30 per mile but as I run trails this can vary widely. Speed work I ran a 5.11km loop in 23:36, so can average 07:30 on a good day

Thank you all for the honest responses. I finished Couch to 5k yesterday and I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. I'm still pretty slow, but I also know that I need to keep at it and also continuing to lose weight will help me out.

That's great!!

Really, at this point, don't worry about speed!! You will speed up as your body gets used to it. Right now, the important thing is to take it steady (don't push too far too soon) and try to enjoy it. With running, I think patience really is a virtue!

I always ran to train for sports when I was younger, but it turned out that I had never truly learned how to run at a decent pace for longer distances. In that regards, I feel like I've only been running for about 2 years or so. Illogical? Kind of, but 2 miles used to be a nightmare. I could play soccer for hours, but a "simple" run seemed impossible. Over the last 2 years I finally built up the comfort and courage to run my first half marathon after doing a couple of 5k's. Distance runs are still hard on my body, obviously, but I've learned to really enjoy it…especially when running through the city. It keeps my runs interesting with so much to take in and ways to vary my route!

My pace for the half was just under 8:00/mile, but for a 5k was just over 7:00/mile. Both seem pretty quick, but I can tell you that at 30-40 lbs heavier, my pace was much, much slower for shorter distances. It's amazing how your speed increases with each lb lost…

I was never a runner.. Back in school days I loathed PE when we had to do laps or any sprints. My ankles would role or give out and I would easily tire out.

As of about a month ago I decided to work on this... Some 20 + years later. Lol.
Ive always kinda did interval sprints on the treadmill but never went for more than say 3 min at a time. .. So as of lately I have worked my way up to pushing myself to at least complete one mile. Started at 12/min miles.. And after a few weeks now at 10.30min/ mile. This is still my max distance per stretch..But for never having run a mile in my life... It's a win in my book. Still working on it and will continue to do so.

Oh and the moment I begin my stride about 30 seconds into it I am thinking ..wtf this sucks..but I press on.. Looking forward to beating my pace or length..even better both..each week.

How fast is your average mile? How long have you been running?

Also-- I've found that I really DO like to run... I'm finishing couch to 5k right now, and I find that in the first 8-10 min of running, I constantly think about quitting and starting again tomorrow... lol (I haven't quit.)--- do these feelings ever go away? Does it get easier?

I average about a 9 minute mile.
I've been running since 1984.
The first few minutes of a run are always the hardest. It definitely gets easier! Good luck!

Also if you run on a treadmill what I do is put a towel over the time and speed and miles it helps for me to not stop when ive reached a certain number whether it be time miles calories burned. I just go until im tired and then I know Im done!

That's a good idea, I'll have to give that a try.

I have been running since January of this year. My average is somewhere between 9 and 10 minutes and the most I've ever run is about 2.25 miles. Working my way up to running a 5k.

I am so glad I read through this post because I now know that I am normal, haha! I thought I was the only one who struggled through that awful first mile I did C25K October through December and have run four 5Ks this year. My pace is 11-12 minutes per mile. Slow and steady, that's me. Starting to up my distance a bit. Signed my husband and myself up for a 5 mile trail run for our anniversary in two weeks. He was shocked I would do something like that and is very excited to run together. Loving this lifestyle I tell you!

This makes me feel so much better. I started C25K and got to about week 6 or so and then just started running and not really using the app. I made it 2 miles on my best run ever. Now I struggle with a mile. Guess its nice to know that the first mile is hard for most everyone. Maybe I just need to push past that and keep going! The humidity is really proving to be hard on me too. My first 5K is in 2 weeks and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to run the whole thing like I had hoped (unless some miracle happens between now and then!).

You can do anything you set your mind to also the people there will inspire you to keep going by seeing them still going

This post has helped me some, also...I started running several years ago to prepare for a huge 15k we have locally. Nevery in a million years did I think I could do this distance. My goal was to do it in under 2 hours, being new to running & everything, and I had also injured myself during training. I finished at 2 hours 2 minutes. I set out the following year preparing and not allowing myself to take time off...I got sick a couple of days before the race and fnished in 2 hours 5 minutes, major bummer!

I am extremely slow, and am finding that I am not improving...I have tried different training schedules from magazine and on line. I am keeping myself to about 4 miles during the week, and 6 on the weekend. I don't run many times because I enjoy doing other types of workouts.

I know that much of this is mental, but my heart rate does shoot up over 170 and I feel like I have to slow down.

I never thought about trying the Couch to 5k because I had been running for so long...but after reading the results on here, I think it would be a great idea!

I struggle through about the first mile (maybe a little less) as well. I feel tight, my mind is looking forward to quitting. Then, like others said, I settle in and go for the long haul!

Happy running, everybody...Like I tell others...it may take me a while, but I am out there! I love being outside!

This makes me feel so much better. I started C25K and got to about week 6 or so and then just started running and not really using the app. I made it 2 miles on my best run ever. Now I struggle with a mile. Guess its nice to know that the first mile is hard for most everyone. Maybe I just need to push past that and keep going! The humidity is really proving to be hard on me too. My first 5K is in 2 weeks and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to run the whole thing like I had hoped (unless some miracle happens between now and then!).

You can do anything you set your mind to also the people there will inspire you to keep going by seeing them still going

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm doing the Color Run in 2 weeks so I'm hopeful that with the excitement of it all, I will do better than I think. We shall see!