A question...

[johnjc8]

Just finished my fourth 5K run and I'm a happy bunny But. When I start each run my legs feel more tired than when I'm half way round. This seems daft to me. Does this happen to you? Maybe I'm not warming up properly? Any advice gratefully received.

[Atalaya Graduate]

Is it a psychological thing? I always find the first 10 mins or so hard but later on something seems to click and it gets easier.

[Tomas Graduate]

Sounds quite familiar. I guess you could warm up more, but why not just accept that the the first 10 minutes are also part of getting thoroughly warm? Just don't skip warm up completely, remember Laura's advice

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I think that is pretty normal - many of us will find the first few minutes hard until you find your stride. I know some people do a longer warm up - you could see whether that helps. Or as Tomas says, just know it is part of the run and will pass.

[Maturelady Graduate]

I always find the first run after the warm up the hardest regardless of how long it is. I think it is our muscles rebelling.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

I get the same feeling - legs are tired at the start, and i feel out of breath. But I've realized I just need to settle into the run and not think too much about it at the start. It always passes....

[Potty Graduate]

Great post and answers I've always found the same thing - that the first few minutes of actually running are the worst, for legs and lungs, but that it settles down afterwards. I've tried walking as fast as I possibly can without running for my warm up but found it still didn't make a difference. Now I just accept it and think how back it would be without my warm up first?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Yes, I feel like I have someone else's legs on, and they are tied in a knot! I've never really noticed the point that stops, but it does!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Ditto!

[johnjc8 Graduate]

Thanks everyone for such helpful posts. It's good to know I'm not the only one - it seems many of us start off with more aches and pains than when we finish.

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Yes me too. The first 10 minutes my legs feel tired and my breathing feels difficult. Things then get steadily better. I normally run around 10km, and during my first 10 minutes I'm often wondering whether I'll manage 5km !!

[poppypug Graduate]

Hi JC

I read somewhere that its called the Toxic Ten, its where your body doesnt know whether its in flight or fight mode, after the first ten minutes it settles down.

I think if you google it, it will tell you in more detail. Sorry Im a complete pooter numpty so dont know how to post a link xxx