Slow and steady wins the race?

I just started running after a long sabbatical. I guess that sounds like I ran regularly at one point. I have never really run as a hobby, but played sports. It just sounds better to say "I started running again" than to say "for the first time since high school I am attempting to partake in physical activity on a regular basis." It's not easy. I live on a hill, so when I start my run, I think "oh man, I am in way better shape than I thought I'd be." But the minute the ground flattens out, it turns from a decently paced run into a trudge. And for some reason, I think everyone passing by is judging me. So I stay on side streets unless it is necessary to run on a busy road...at which point, I speed up significantly, eagerly awaiting the next side street that I can turn at so I can continue breathing like a normal person. I don't know why I would assume anyone would care that I am running along at a pace that could probably be passed by speed walkers. I reason with myself and think "they are probably assuming I'm on the end of my run, so this pace is expected." And then I look down at my iRUN and realize that I have only been running for about five minutes and breathing has become a chore. I push on through the 5k at the pace of a senior citizen and get to my house and collapse. Tomorrow it'll be a little easier...hopefully.