+1 on this... I never really ran any type of distances besides a few 5 ks and I hate it... I do enjoy the HIIT though, i dont even need 15 mins, I do 8 mins at super high/low intensity and it kicks my butt, plus the results are phenomenal. i see these people plugging away on the treadmill for an hour and i think what a waste!
People have different goals, 8 mins of hiit will do nothing to achieve mine. Keep an open mind...