Is running ever easy??? (Read 1336 times)

Easy probably isn't the right word, but it does get less difficult, if that makes any sense. Prior to this month (I'd like a do-over on Nov., please) I had gotten to the point where I could run 10+ miles and feel much more comfortable doing that than I had running half that distance a few months prior. I ran a half marathon a month ago that was much easier and more enjoyable than a 10k in the middle of Summer (that had a lot to do with terrible heat and humidity, too). I think it depends a lot upon whether you are increasing your mileage or maintaining, too. Maintaining is a lot less taxing than consistent increases. Once you hit a plateau or slow your increases I think you will find that running is easier. Those first few months are just generally pretty tough as your body acclimates, too. I had sore knees a LOT during the first 3-4 months I was running. I think that's why so many people start and quit--they don't stick with running long enough to get over the "hump" that most newbies endure. k

I got some advice from MileCollector once... He told me that you get out of running what you put into it. It sounds like you're putting a lot of effort into your training. I bet you're also seeing a lot of improvements, too. You know, you don't have to train hard... It's just that most people choose to. Running can seem "easy" if ... you run easy. I mean easy... like add several minutes/mile to the pace you're currently calling an "easy" run. Try it sometime for a couple of days and see if you like it better. Maybe you will, maybe you won't. I've been training harder than I used to, and have been seeing a faster improvement. But I also know that if I want something to seem really easy, all I have to do is turn the effort level down about two notches and just kinda cruise along. Running should be fun. If you like it to be hard, run hard. If you want it to be easy, run easy. It's so flexible!

Is running ever easy? I sure hope not. When it is easy, I am not working hard enough.

Yes i'll qualify my own statement by saying i find my running easier rather than easy

I must admit that I've been having these crappy 3 mile runs lately and I was thinking the same thing. It seems that just because my early runs (2, 3 miles) were "really hard" for my body, I now run my easy runs harder than I need to. Great advice here Wingz!

You know, you don't have to train hard... It's just that most people choose to. Running can seem "easy" if ... you run easy. I mean easy... like add several minutes/mile to the pace you're currently calling an "easy" run.

I didn't used to time myself, so I had no idea how my time was (estimated 12- or 13-min miles). So when I got a watch and realized I was training around 10 minute miles 3 weeks into my training, I was pleased with my estimated improvement. Then I got a couple of shocking times in races and have been pushing myself harder in training. It's hard to run slower when I'm competing against myself. The problem is why am I competing? I think the lesson here is that EASY RUNS can and should be EASY RUNS!

Is there ever a time when running becomes easy?

YES. Not every day, not every run. But at this point, most easy runs are, in fact, pretty easy. Even some of the hard ones are easy, by my definition. It may hurt, I might sweat and bleed, but it's easier than most things I do, that's for sure.The hardest part is coming home. For me, it happened all at once. One day, something clicked. Magic. I swear. Before that day, I'd say I might have called 1 run out of 10 "easy." Since that day, I could count "hard" runs on one hand. With a couple fingers to spare. But it takes a while to get there. I'm convinced that if you could force most people to run 3-4 days a week, maybe 3-4 miles at a time, for one straight year ... by the end, they'd be addicted, never quit, and be calling it "easy" most of the time. No matter how much they once hated it. Just. Keep. Running.

Yes. I used to run for over an hour, but then decided to cut back, because I wasn't improving my cardiovascular levels. I now train with a heart rate monitor. According to this monitor, running at 70% of my maximum heart rate (this is the rate recommended for your "easy" or recovery days) it is much slower than I was running, with lots of walking too. So do mostly long but easy runs, but one short and hard run. If you are not enjoying your run, you are running too hard or too long.