Running Through The First Mile “Struggle” to Hit Your Running Groove
There is one thing all runners have in common. That thing is the initial struggle and uncomfortable feeling we all get during the first few minutes or mile(s) into the run before we hit our running groove. You know the feeling, you head out the door and you legs feel like they are 150 pounds each, you heart rate spikes, and your breathing is labored. Not the most comfortable feeling in the world! Sometimes it is amazing that any of us run through it.
I know I am making some broad generalizations here that everyone goes through the same feelings. I know this is not the case. In my conversations with other runners, I have found that everyone experiences something different. Most interesting is the distance or time that each runner needs to get through before they hit the “groove”. Some runners found that it was at about the mile point when they felt better, other said it was more at the 15 minute point, regardless of their pace on that day. For me, I find that it is the 10 minute mark when I usually hit my groove.
I would like to hear from you on when you hit your running groove. Please use the comments to let me know.
Thanks for stopping by! Regarding the Gels… as embarrassing as it is to admit, yes, I keep track. I dunno why… I have no life, maybe? Anyway, I only use them on long runs over 9 miles and then I take one every 4 miles on runs 13-19 and every 3 miles on anything over 20.
I love this post. We were just talking about this very subject on our run yesterday morning. I don’t feel warmed up for at least 2 miles, which is why I have to go run a 5K before I run a 5K. Otherwise, I’m not warmed up until the race is almost over!
I totally agree. It’s about 1km in my case before I find into my smooth running pace. Especially on morning runs.
Greetings from Germany,
Steffen
Well it is about 1 mile on days when I’m not tired from biking and about 2 miles on days when I had preceding long bike session or during the brick workout. The legs just feel funny when you get them acustomed to biking and then want them to run. I guess this is pretty much the same for most triathletes or people doing cross training on bike.
It takes me about 2 miles before my legs stop feeling like lead and my lungs are able handle the air flow. Then the run turns into fun.
Hmm, oddly enough, I can usually tell in the first half mile if I am going to have anything or not. Only a couple times have I “settled” in at mile 3 or so. Maybe there is an art to this that I am not getting? Or maybe I just don’t have enough experience…