Beginner needing advice on easy runs when can’t run far

So last year I tried getting into running and was able to go from couch to running 1 mile over several months.

I lost my progress over winter and now I’m trying to get back into it again.

I keep seeing mentions of easy runs and people say that you should feel like you could run forever and hold a conversation (but not sing?) or similar for an easy run

But for me, I can’t even run a full mile at present (I’m up to about half a mile). How do I incorporate easy runs? Just running, not even fast or hard, my heart rate soars and my breathing is heavy with what feels like my natural pace.

Are easy runs just walks for me at this point?
How do I get to the point to easy run? Right now, any running is hard

In general, I’m not looking for speed, just the ability to run and hopefully get to a 10K and just complete the race before the cutoff time. It’d be nice not to walk any of it, but at least fully run a 5K.