First minute or so is always horrendous! - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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First minute or so is always horrendous!

stridingedge profile image
stridingedgeGraduate
20 Replies

Does anyone else find that the first minute or so of each run is REALLY difficult? Despite always doing my warm up walk, I always have trouble sorting out my breathing and my body and legs complain like mad. I hate it and have to really fight to keep going. Will it always be like this or will my body one day rejoice and say YES, great, this is fantastic!

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stridingedge profile image
stridingedge
Graduate
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20 Replies

I'm pretty much the same, i always wonder how I made it. Full of negative thoughts creeping in when I set off.

Rob_and_his_westie profile image
Rob_and_his_westieGraduate

Happens to me all the time...... Unless I've warmed up fully. I never get this problem at a race for example because I will have been through a light jog or something similar first. However, for that regular, get out the door, three times a week casual run, I can't wait to get that first bit over!

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate

I used to have this but it has gradually gone away; just keep going :)

kmcniece profile image
kmcniece

Happens every time. Even though you know you can do it. Just have to tell those pesky gremlins on your shoulder and in your head to "take a running jump! " and keep on keeping on.

caj62 profile image
caj62Graduate

I graduated in Nov 2012, run 3 times a week,have done several 10k runs, 1 half marathon and am training for another at the moment. I can honestly say that the first 10 minutes of every run is still horrible!!! Well done for sticking at it!

Chris

YvetteK profile image
YvetteKGraduate in reply to caj62

That's really helpful to hear Chris.

caj62 profile image
caj62Graduate in reply to YvetteK

Hmmm, I thought about it afterwards - it wasn't a very positive post was it? You may find that the more you run, the easier it will get. Sorry it wasn't very positive!

Chris

YvetteK profile image
YvetteKGraduate in reply to caj62

No seriously. It was reassuring to hear that even seasoned runners have this problem. Not just unfit newbies like me

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate

Yep! First 10 minutes I'm arguing with myself then it gets better, so just keep running :)

It's always for 5 to 10mins with me before my breathing regulates and I find my pace,I'm on week 8 run 2 now so these are better than the shorter runs as they get easier the longer I run.stick with it as I've nearly quit one or two times and that's not like me!its worth the struggle I promise!

frannyfran profile image
frannyfranGraduate

with me it is the first ten minutes or so and a year later it's still there.

I always fight with myself during the first few minutes. A few years ago I heard about Dr Steve peters book, the chimps paradox. I haven't quite finished it yet but I find that I am arguing with my inner chimp. Once I win the argument I am happy to run my distances.

Good luck and keep your chimps under control

Ffion2 profile image
Ffion2Graduate in reply to

The OH swears by The Chimp Paradox ... he keeps telling me I should read it. Maybe I will now. I always feel like a total hippo in the first five to ten minutes - flat-footed, really heavy breathing, but once I get going (in the loosest possible sense) I wonder what the problem was.

jules50 profile image
jules50Graduate

So great to read all these comments and your post, Im on week 9 and the find the first 5 to 10 minutes incredibly hard, all those thoughts of "I can't run for 30 minutes, no way" but I do and then feel fantastic, everyone is right, you just have to overcome the horrible thoughts and keep going, its so worth it! :)

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

Agreed. First 5-10 minutes I feel like giving up and going home. I never do though!

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate

I find that it's the last 5 minutes that are the worst ;-)

Toonlou24 profile image
Toonlou24Graduate

Me too!!! I was dreadful this morning. I almost stopped! The gremlins were back. I slowed down loads and have myself a good talking too!!! Then was fine. When I looked at my stats I was going far too fast! Always do. Even though I know I always do I still do!!!! Weird!!!!

YvetteK profile image
YvetteKGraduate in reply to Toonlou24

We all seem to make the same mistakes!

stridingedge profile image
stridingedgeGraduate

Thank you all so much for replying. I am so pleased I posted the question because it has been very comforting to hear your responses and know I am not alone.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

Some rotten so-and-so always ties my legs into a complicated knot before I go running, either that or they swap mine for someone elses....breathing ok, legs not ok...

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