Often the hardest part of running, is actually getting out of the door to go do the workout.  Once you have successfully done that, you then face the dreaded first mile of your run. 

The way you feel during the first mile of a run is typically different, from how you feel later in the run.  The first mile is usually uncomfortable, compared to what comes afterwards, which is where the expression “The First Mile Lies” comes from.

I am convinced that the feeling you get at the beginning of a run, is the reason why so many people don’t like running. It’s only after you work your way through that uncomfortable feeling, do you get to the fun part of running and ultimately to the ‘runner’s high’.

This morning was a struggle for me.  I woke up really early; way before my alarm was due to go off.  I then spent a good deal of time trying to get back to sleep.  Just as I felt I got back to sleep, my alarm went off.  I hit snooze.  I hit snooze four times.  I just wasn’t motivated to get up to run.

After hitting snooze four times, I eventually got out of bed, dressed in my running gear and had a quick cup of coffee.  I got distracted by my computer, while drinking that coffee, which was really just another delaying tactic, before heading out the door.  Finally, I got up out of my chair, went outside and started my run.

When running from home, I have no choice but to run uphill for the first half mile.  Today was a typical start to my run.  A few yards in, my heart rate started to climb and my breathing rate increased rapidly (I didn’t warm up, like I should have).  While trying to steady my breathing, I became aware that my legs were also not feeling so good, and that coffee wasn’t sitting great in my stomach.  Nonetheless, I kept running, because I knew things would get better.

They did get better. What I find is that the process of feeling better is so gradual, that you don’t realize it’s happening.  What I eventually become aware of, is that things just feel ‘right’ and I don’t remember when that transition occurred .  Today I noticed things were good as I entered the grounds of the local High School.  My legs felt fine, my stomach had settled down and my breathing was very much under control.  Seconds later, my Garmin watch buzzed at me.  The first mile of the day was complete. 

The rest of the run went really well. I felt strong and my pace was good, for the easy effort I was putting in.  So once again, on this run like so many others, “The First Mile Lied”…