I am the same way. I've only been running since April 1 . I have completed the 9 week running plan and am consistently running 30 minutes or more. I am now trying to improve my pace. I am up to 2.9 miles but sometimes I do it in little aver 30 min. and sometimes up to 33 minutes. Someday's it's easy, someday's it torture. I wonder ,does it ever get consistently easy. I do agree that the heat is definitely a factor. I live in southeastern North Carolina where the summers are hot and humid. On the really tough days I try to run earlier and slow my pace.

RR I agree with the other posters about the heat. My normal 4 mile route includes a 1/4 mile hill with a 80 foot elevation change. I usually run in the afternoon and its been 88 to 92 degrees recently. My average speed is around 4.2 miles per hr for the 4 moles. Yesterday I ran early in 75 degree temps and I averaged 4.6 miles per hr and actually picked up speed in my last mile. I believe it was all about the temperature as I havent been doing 4 miles that long.

Tony

It takes time to build endurance. Last summer, I started training for my first marathon. I started doing 2-3 mile runs and it took a while to get to a 10k distance. Once I achieved that goal, I then set a goal to do a 10 mile race and then a half marathon. I've done 2 marathons and several half-marathons since. I live in central georgia, so heat is always a factor, but since you have been running for just 3 months, heat is what you are accustomed to. To increase endurance, you need to challenge yourself to slowly build in a longer run every few weeks. Add some hills in, do some speed workout (track-type intervals), and enter a local 5k to get used to the adrenaline and pushing yourself. Set a goal to slowly increase your runs. It's not easy, but as the fall approaches, you will notice that you are much better conditioned than you think. I have run some very strong races in cold weather. The hot training will pay off, your body does know the difference. Good luck!

Hi there,

It could be what some runners call "runners high". Of course this was ages ago. Basically, after some time in running, your body will adjust to the distance and time, and it takes longer runs, or longer time to obtain the high level of endorphins which allow you to push yourself more. It has been found that these are the same endorphins which disguise pain in our bodies. Although, it can be dangerous, it can also be beneficial to make use of these endorphins.

I can explain this feeling from my own experience: When I have pushed myself through that mental wall telling me to stop; suddenly afterward I begin to feel better and start to feel as though I could run forever.

As others have noted your issue could be attributed to any number of issues: fuel, heat, hydration, sleep, fatique (which will cause runner's high). We all have our bad running days too!

Whatever it is, you will most likely figure it out, and move on to better running.

For more information on "Runners' High"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296435?dopt=AbstractPlus

http://scienceblogs.com/purepedantry/2008/02/the_neurological_basis_of_the.php

Best of Luck,

M.C.

Dear RR, Well though it is too late to reply after almost a year, I am sharing my experience with others. I live in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia. Normally the average temparature in my city is 35 Degrees foreignheit . In summer this goes upto 48 to 50 Degrees. I have not so far visited any country outside India. The other places in India I visited are almost of the same climate. I started running in the month of April 2008 (Peak Summer for us) Slowly I build the distance (Following Hal Higdons marathon training plan) Now the rains have come. Now I am able to run 4000 meters non stop!(in the beginning even running 400 meters itself is great for me). I observed after a day's rest my performace is good. I also observed that goodnights sleep (7 to 8 hrs) plays in performace. I am not concentrating much regarding time. By the I share information about myself. I am 48 years old next month I shall start 49. Weight 76kilograms. Teetaler, nosmoker, purevegetarian, 5'9 tall. Go slow and increase gradually. Performace will run with you.

Thank you

With regards

Gangavarapu.Venkataramana