Do long runs get easier?
Emily Carr
Published Apr 05, 2026
“I half-jokingly say that running never gets easier—you just get faster or go longer,” says running coach Kyle Kranz. “For a new runner, an 11:00 pace may feel moderately easy, but two years later a 9:00 pace may feel just as moderately easy.”
Should long runs be easy?
Summing It Up. The body of evidence is clear: your optimal “easy” long run pace is between 55 and 75 percent of your 5K pace, with the average pace being about 65 percent. The research shows that running faster than 75% of your 5K pace on your long run doesn't provide a lot of additional physiological benefit.How long does it take to get used to long runs?
It can take 4 to 6 weeks to notice changes in your aerobic ability and for the actual training effect being felt. Likewise, the more experienced you are, the less you will “feel” the benefits from a long run since you aerobic system is already quite developed.Are long runs supposed to be hard?
They are meant to be run at an easy intensity to build aerobic endurance and put “time on your feet”. These types of long runs aren't exactly recovery runs, but they aren't designed to be hard either. If your training schedule is well-written, it should be relatively clear what the intensity or goal of the long run is.Does running get easier after 2 miles?
You should feel better as you continue runningRaza says. In other words, a regular runner will acclimate sooner than someone just starting out. Most people, though, should feel adjusted by halfway into the first mile. Phew.