W9R1 1st 10mins the hardest part: My legs, my... - Couch to 5K

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W9R1 1st 10mins the hardest part

DIZZIC profile image
DIZZICGraduate
13 Replies

My legs, my mind, the pace....all seem to be rebelling against me as I start my shuffle. At about 8-10 mins my collywobble legs settle down; and it is not until I reach that point that my mind takes it all on board and begins its belief in actually accomplishing 30mins without breaks.

I really want to nail the final 2 runs of this program.

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DIZZIC profile image
DIZZIC
Graduate
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13 Replies
Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

You will! 😀

I find the first 10 mins the hardest- I don't think we're alone in experiencing that. I just go really slow and take some big breaths at intervals.

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate

Hooray! Almost there. You can do it, you know you can :)

JoanneBrowne profile image
JoanneBrowneGraduate

I had a bit of clumsy and uncoordinated W9R1 today too, not helped by a mishap with my fuel intake so I was a bit too hungry and I was running into a strong headwind. Only really found my rhythm near the end, frustratingly. However, it does seem to be a bit about mental mindset as my pace wasn’t actually much slower today than my good last run. I would have sworn it was much worse. Only two runs to go for some extra special Xmas celebrations for us! Well done.

DIZZIC profile image
DIZZICGraduate in reply toJoanneBrowne

Yep, we are in it together...and we will achieve our goals! :)

JoanneBrowne profile image
JoanneBrowneGraduate in reply toDIZZIC

Well, we’ve already done 25 runs - what’s another two?!

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

Just start slow, don't push yourself, your body will figure out when to relax, all will be fine.

I still remember my first 90 seconds, burning thighs, gasping and sweating. Now I do 5K as an easy run, 10K is a norm and 21K is the long run target workout. And neither of those guys is punishing me! ;)

And all that by listening what Forum people have had to say. ;)

I've got this idea where time is no limit, I don't need to rush, no pressure and nothing to prove. I don't do group runs or races, l simply go there and enjoy myself on my own terms.

I'm sure your mojo will click at some stage and then the real fun will kick off!

Best!

ruralfrance profile image
ruralfranceGraduate

Hello Dizzic,

I'm at exactly the same stage and know exactly what you mean! Good luck, you know you can do this. Keep posting.

DIZZIC profile image
DIZZICGraduate in reply toruralfrance

I am so hoping that nothing scuppers the final 2 runs...I am kind of fixated on the Sunday graduation! We will do it. :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Toxic ten... ( or more in my case) Much has been written about this.. and there is a reason for it:)

" The Toxic 10. It sounds pretty drastic, but in fact 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. "

Well done you...just carry on.. start slowly and carry on slowly...:)

DIZZIC profile image
DIZZICGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Thanks Oldfloss, I wasn't aware of the Toxic 10 but yes, it does nearly defeat me. I see that big black dog and determined to shrink it down, if only for a little reprieve. It's just the interrption at 5 mins tells you that you should have by now settled in to a happy pace and rhythm. I find myself almost yelling at it 'No, I bl**dy haven't!'

I shall persevere, well at least until Sunday!

Mimirossi profile image
MimirossiGraduate in reply toDIZZIC

Haha! That brought back memories for me! I used to shout the same thing at Laura when I was doing C25K! It does get better, so keep up the good work!

Herbal-T profile image
Herbal-TGraduate in reply toDIZZIC

I agree - I think for me it is more like the toxic 15. I also did W9R3 today, and didn't feel like I settled into a good rhythm until into the second half. I am going to try a longer warm up for the next run and see if that helps!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

As Oldfloss says, it happens to every runner, so just take it easy for the first few minutes.

As run time increases, you will spend a lesser proportion of your run struggling........one good reason to learn to run for longer.

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