Short runs just as hard as long runs?

[ToniCR]

I did my 2.5k run as part of the 10 is the Magic Number Week 1. I found it just as hard, if not harder than my hilly 5.5k on the weekend. Why is that? Was it my expectations? I thought it would be a breeze doing 2.5k on flat ground. It was a bit warm today, but still - I slept well, was hydrated, nothing out of the ordinary. Possibly still a little tired from the last run? Hoping Thursday's 5k won't be the same. Do other people experience this?

[Irish-John Graduate10]

The first mile or so is really tough for me -the "Toxic Ten' syndrome. Maybe that's what happened you today? 🙂

[ToniCR in reply to Irish-John]

You're right, it could be that.

[DebJogsOn]

I'd agree with John. In a very short run you kind of never hit that 'comfy' pace where everything just seems to work automatically. If I'm short on time I tend to run intervals - even though they feel hard I at least I feel I've accomplished something worth the effort.

[ToniCR in reply to DebJogsOn]

Yes, I never settled into a comfortable pace at all. Maybe that's it.

[Nictwit]

Me too! Toxic ten and subconsciously going out too fast because it's 'only' 2.5k.

[Slinkyminky Graduate10 in reply to Nictwit]

I agree with this

I much prefer longer runs to short ones

[Sandyscroll Graduate10]

I agree with all the above...I really struggle with short runs, and unless I'm doing drills of some sort, I deliberately set out slower. But then again, some days are just tougher than others for no real reason. I find if all my runs are all tougher than usual, it's time for a rest week.

[Hidden]

agreed with everyone else - in fact i don't really get going for at least 20 minutes, maybe longer.

[Fionn42]

Yep, same with me as everyone else here - I tend to hit my stride at around 2.5 to 3k so that’s probably what it was for you. Also, some days it’s just a slog, whatever the distance, for absolutely no obvious reason.

I do think sometimes that for us girls that is hormone related and for anyone, male or female, perhaps it can also be due to shifting testosterone and/or adrenaline and cortisol so our bodies may be responding to those things without us realising.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

I don't know why it is so but I have often found the same, can do 10k one day and thats fine and then do a 5k and feel like i'm fighting it at the end. I don't even think it's overall speed as for me being a novice it's all over the place anyways but I suspect it's a mix of psychology and also that for longer runs you are more likely to go a bit slower at the start.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate10]

Agree that toxic ten (or even twenty at times) likely to be main culprit.

I ran 5k yesterday on the treadmill and I really had to work at it. I think it was largely from being tired and having eaten very little during the day, but I think there is often a major psychological component. I tend to set out on a longer run when I know I have the time, whereas I run shorter distances when I know there are time limitations. If instead I am clockwatching, then it often tends to bump my pace up, and even if I am careful about that, nervy running isn't the best for me.

Then, as Fionn42 said above, some runs are just a slog for no apparent reason.

[davelinks Graduate10]

Yes, takes me a while to get all the cylinders firing, 20 mins 2-3k then starts to feel better..

[garym Graduate10]

Agree about the short runs being as hard; I don’t getting going till about 4K mind yer I’m done by 5 😂

[ToniCR]

Thank you everyone!

[Mcdon]

Yes I find 5k not any different from 10k at times but I think it depends how tired you are fitting it in around work etc I always have a better run on a day off if slept well etc x

[ToniCR in reply to Mcdon]

True, I do find my Saturday runs better than my weekday afternoon runs.

[ZeusPreckwinkle]

My best time for the mile was decades ago--4:19.8--and as I got older I started running longer runs because they were easier. Eventually I actually made it to 52.5 miles in one day, but the mile was so much harder! How you feel on a run can be influenced by how relaxed you are, how rested you are, and how fast you are going. I usually found shorter races much harder because I took them much more seriously, and their intensity could be exhausting mentally and physically.

[ToniCR in reply to ZeusPreckwinkle]

Wow, that is seriously impressive!!