Is there any top secret way to make

[Doc_Lobster]

the first 3-4 miles less shitty?

Seriously.

Mile 5 is always so much easier and faster than mile 1. Mile 2 is always the worst, though.

[Deleted]

This is why I hate 5ks! I was cursing during mine yesterday.

[Doc_Lobster]

I know there really isn't, it just pisses me off. lol

[IndiaInk]

That's why I like distance running.

Also, running with another person helps because then at least you have someone to talk to, to take your mind off the discomfort of the first few miles.

[kams]

I would looooove to learn how to de-shit the first few miles.

[al320]

Ive just resolved myself to the fact that theyre always going to suck. It sucks.

And this is why 5k is my least favorite race distance.

[joenali]

Ride your bike for about 56ish miles!! Then you are all warmed up and ready to run!!

[Doc_Lobster]

Feb 10, 2013 16:27:16 GMT -5 joenali said:

Ride your bike for about 56ish miles!! Then you are all warmed up and ready to run!!

That might work! lol

[gumi]

Feb 10, 2013 15:58:18 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

This is why I hate 5ks! I was cursing during mine yesterday.

You need to warm up before a 5K.  Even if you are walking parts of it - you need to warm up.

The first few miles never suck for me because it is my warm up.  It's slow because its supposed to be slow.   It is not only important for your muscles to warm up, it is important for your lungs and your heart.

The first mile of every run I do is always like a minute slower than my average pace of that run.  The second mile is faster than the first, but still the second slowest mile.  This is not intentional, it is just the natural progression of running.

If it bothers you, dont start your Garmin or look at your watch for the first 20 minutes of a workout. Or, walk for 10 minutes and then slow jog for 10 minutes and THEN start your run.  Or jog 1 mile, do some running drills, and then start your run.  If you don't look at the warm up as part of your "run", the first mile will feel awesome.

I actually enjoy the warm up.  It is slow, yes, but also very easy. It's a good time for talking (if you are with a group) or thinking.  I often plan my run during the warm up.

[Doc_Lobster]

Feb 10, 2013 16:55:26 GMT -5 gumi said:

If you don't look at the warm up as part of your "run", the first mile will feel awesome.

I will try this next time. Mind over matter!

[Deleted]

Feb 10, 2013 16:55:26 GMT -5 gumi said:

Feb 10, 2013 15:58:18 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

This is why I hate 5ks! I was cursing during mine yesterday.

You need to warm up before a 5K.  Even if you are walking parts of it - you need to warm up.

The first few miles never suck for me because it is my warm up.  It's slow because its supposed to be slow.   It is not only important for your muscles to warm up, it is important for your lungs and your heart.

The first mile of every run I do is always like a minute slower than my average pace of that run.  The second mile is faster than the first, but still the second slowest mile.  This is not intentional, it is just the natural progression of running.

If it bothers you, dont start your Garmin or look at your watch for the first 20 minutes of a workout. Or, walk for 10 minutes and then slow jog for 10 minutes and THEN start your run.  Or jog 1 mile, do some running drills, and then start your run.  If you don't look at the warm up as part of your "run", the first mile will feel awesome.

I actually enjoy the warm up.  It is slow, yes, but also very easy. It's a good time for talking (if you are with a group) or thinking.  I often plan my run during the warm up.

I always treat my first few miles as my warm up but it doesn't help (even with shaking out with an easy jog before 5ks).  For me, the brutal part is regulating my breathing and finding my stride and I have to run a solid 3 miles with no breaks to do that and just run through the tough part.  It's just different for different people.

[cinco]

I feel like I'm 60 years old in my first few miles. I'm slow, everything is creaky and hurts. Bleh. Of course lately miles 3 on feel crappy too. Hmmph. I think I'm just a fair weather runner.

[finallykrisb]

If I roll out of bed and head out for my run I don't wake up fully until after mile 2 so while those miles still really suck I barely remember them.

[SuziSaysDa]

Maybe this is why I don't love running. Most of my morning runs are only 3 or 4 miles and it is such a struggle for me to get out of bed and do them, no issues getting out of bed at same time for spin class. I need to get faster so I can run longer in the morning, then maybe I will like it more.

[mrshandy]

Not that I know of. I didn't hit my stride on my long run this weekend until mile 7 out of 12.

But it felt great when I did. The first 3 miles. I'm like "why am I doing this? I really have 9 more miles left. Shit."

I agree about warming up before a 5K 1-2 miles warm-up makes it go so much better.

[Deleted]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who hates the first 3 miles.

[Doc_Lobster]

Yeah, mentally telling myself that the first mile was not part of my real run did not work. I still felt like a turd who has not aged well for the first 3 miles.