Hrm.. on a cold day.. mine takes a LONG time to get up to half (i'd call it running temp), and when i say cold, i mean like -25 celcius cold. At about 20-25 C, it takes about 1 km to hit half way.
I really only notice 3 temps, cold, warming up, and warm.
The gauge may tell me it's in the middle, but if i crank the heat, it's decently warm. Now, if i go on the highway at 120km/h+, THEN turn the heat on, it'll burn my pants (or so it feels)... not the most accurate gauge ever, i agree.

89 4Runner
3" BL, M/T locks, 33"bfg mt, bilstein, Kayline, tubebumper, toyotafiberglass panels
TBI: Elocker,3.4 w/ORS,b+b,S2Sstg2cams,arias pistons,P+P intake,TRDs/c,URDpullies+7th,downey headers,MAPECU2,WEGO WB, SupraMAF,walboro255,stg4clutch, EPaOo2 sim