[Quicksilver]

If it requires a different level of force to get it into gear when running and not then the difference is somewhere in the clutch. (Actually it can be sometimes harder to get into a gear when the transmission isn't turning.)

Either the hydraulics and cross arm aren't releasing completely, the pressure plate has an issue, or the clutch disk is the problem.
- I'd look at the bleeding of the the cylinder which is a common issue and can be stupidly hard to accomplish correctly.
- The clutch disk could be warped or 'out of true' in some other fashion.

A good test step to get a clearer idea is to put the car up on jackstands, put it in 1st gear, and run the engine. If the clutch isn't fully releasing it will be obvious because the tires will be spinning. If there is slight drag (still bad) you can stop the wheels but for correct action of the syncros you shouldn't see any transmission of force. More importantly it will be constantly wearing the syncros with each shift and you will significantly reduce the transmissions life.