Race question.... The first 5 minutes?

[PotterBook]

Am I the only one who feels like after the first 5 minutes of a run, that I have NO idea how I'm going to actually run for 35 - 40 minutes? That I've completely lost my mind? But somehow you summon the strength to keep on running (maybe with a few walk breaks in between)?

[yatesco Graduate]

Nope, I think we all feel that. I certainly do anyway :-).

[B0bP Graduate]

It's because the initial exertion of running, quickly depletes the oxygen in your blood supply as its sent to your muscles but your brain doesn't get the message until it's low.

So for the first 5-10 minutes that you run your body is playing catch up and not only has to replenish the oxygen already used but it has to get more to cope with the increased demand.

Something like that anyway 😀

[DiamonteSandal in reply to B0bP]

What a great explanation! Certainly makes sense. I always struggle for the first ten minutes and then just keep trotting along after that.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to B0bP]

... was it you who gave me the Ralph Fiennes link on this, way back... I forgot who it was... ?

[B0bP Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes it was me 😀

"The best description of what happens I've ever read is by Dr Mike Stroud (medic, polar explorer - with Ran Fiennes - and all round very knowledgable bloke) in his book Survival of the Fittest - Understanding Health and Peak Physical Performance.

I quote - "When you start to run your muscles need extra oxygen but your body is not set up to increase the supply immediately. For the first few minutes of a race [or any run] you develop oxygen debt as you use more energy than aerobic systems can supply. It is only when oxygen in the blood has been depleated significantly and levels of carbon dioxide have risen that your brain senses these changes and sends instructions to set things straight. At that point you will begin to breathe harder and your heart will pump more strongly. But by then , besides having to meet the demands of your continued movement, you also have to repay the oxygen debt and clear the lactic acid that has accumulated. This takes time, and so the first couple of miles of any run can be rough.""

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to B0bP]

Yeay... it was you!

Thanks for that, I am so sorry I forgot who it was...old age and decrepitude has set in

[B0bP Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You're welcome.

Your apology is not needed silly 😀

[ancientrunner Graduate in reply to B0bP]

Well thanks for that - good to know I'm not just being pathetic.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Loads of posts past and present on this subject. I think many of us feel like this and have felt like this

Lots of scientific evidence why it happens..all very interesting. Not sure if it was Celtprof or Hidden , who gave me information on this, my husband explained it all too, but it took so long, I got a bit bored

With me..it used to be 10 minutes... now it is about five and after that...i feel as if I could run for ever..not speedily...but for ever

[davelinks Graduate]

Slinky asked me this recently on her c25k run, which I responded, yes we all feel that early in the run, but didn't realise it was down to oxygen depletion, so thanks for the heads up B0bP..

Think I had this negativity feeling as I started lopping some big branches in the garden this morning, thinking, I really don't want to do this! but as I got on with it started to feel better..so for me, doesn't only happen when running..😊

[AndyD Graduate]

You should always warm up before a race... so that "5 minutes" of activity is over with before the start. Whether the warm up is taking part in an organised session (at larger events) or a gentle jog around the area then that will get you warmed up... heart going ... muscles warm etc

[Celtprof Graduate]

Absolutely. I ran 8km today but honest to god at the 5 minute mark my head was telling me to pack it in as there was no way I'd do it. Some days the gremlins are worse than others, but they are usually squashable!