Sprinting the first mile feels heroic and ends with you walking at mile two.

Going out too fast feels excellent and borrows from a part of the effort that has not happened yet. Adrenaline sets the early pace rather than what you can sustain, so it always feels correct at the time, and the correction always comes later. Pacing is a skill that runs against instinct.

Whatever you are starting, deliberately hold back in the opening stretch. Decide your rate before you begin rather than by feel once you are in it. Finishing steadily beats a strong opening whenever the distance is real.