W5R1 and feeling ok!

[boblit]

Towards the end of the first 5min run I was feeling out of breath. But after that things got so much better. So much so I felt I could of carried on. I didn't because I think it's important to keep to the schedule. Why is it that the first 10mins or so of running is always very breathless ?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

That first ten minutes is well known as the toxic ten It has a lot to do with all manner of scientific things and there have been loads of posts about it

When I did C25K, with me, at the beginning, it was the toxic 15!!! Just slow it down and take it really steady... follow the programme, as you intend doing and you will, I promise you, get stronger...( Cannot promise that you will lose the toxic ten feeling, we just get used to it??? Maybe???)

Go you, anyway.. well done

Have a read at this..

"It is just the process everyone’s body goes through (even elite athletes!) at the start of aerobic exercise. When you start exercising, your muscles need more oxygen, but your body isn’t ready to up the supply right away. So you develop what’s called an oxygen debt, as you use up more than your aerobic systems can supply.

Once oxygen in the blood becomes particularly low, your brain takes action to remedy this, making your breathing more heavy and your heart pump stronger. This is the point at which you sometimes wonder why you hadn’t stayed at home in front of the TV, with a bowl of snacks!

It takes a little while to pay off your oxygen debt and clear any accumulated lactic acid, and so this is why the first 10 minutes can be so hard."

I love the bit about. even elite athletes.... makes me feel better!

[boblit in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, what a great answer. I too feel a lot better knowing I'm not on my own with this.

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Toxic ten - you are so right the only thing that makes it bearable is the 'even elite athletes' bit. Go boblit, you're doing brilliantly well

[boblit in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jan. I didn't think it was a general problem. So after the replies I Googled it. Wow.....loads of stuff.