Yes... the age-old problem... and certainly not unique just to running... that as you get stronger/faster, it doesn't actually get any easier or less painful, you just perform better.
Club session tonight and a "Kenyan Hill" session... 20 minutes constant effort up and down a 400mtr hill with approx 50ft ascent/descent.
Still felt a bit stale from the weekend, but managed to knock out a smidgen over 5km in the 20mins... no doubt helped by getting into a race and pushing hard.
Total including warm up and down, 6 miles on a surprisingly warm evening.