Lovely run tonight : Out in the fields 3... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,192 membersβ€’159,537 posts

Lovely run tonight

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduate
β€’25 Replies

Out in the fields 30 minutes plus 10% as recommended and it was great πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ I always hate that initial first toxic 10 at the start. Is there anything I could do to reduce that struggling feeling at the beginning of a run?

Written by
PollyGray profile image
PollyGray
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
25 Replies
β€’
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Run a little slower for the first 10 minutes, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, slow and steady is the mantra slogan here on C25K

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply toAlMorr

Thank you AlMor πŸ‘

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Well done on your run today ! πŸ‘The toxic 10 of course is just your body's way of trying to adapt to the fact that you have made it run !One minute your walking the next your running .

The best way to help it adapt is to start running slowly ,

Bear in mind also that the increase in running time or distance of 10% is for after the consolidation period

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply toInstructor57

Thank you Instructor57 I didn’t realise regards the consolidation period.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduateβ€’ in reply toPollyGray

No problem, and I doubt that extra 3 mins will put you on the injury coach , just something to bear in mind πŸ˜πŸ‘

Happy Running !

drun profile image
drun

PollyGray we've all been there, as already said by Instructor57 and AlMorr it's your body getting used to running and it's at this point you need to concentrate on your pace, breathing and getting into the rhythm of running.

You might find this post useful on why the first 5 to 10 minutes of a run is so hard.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply todrun

Thank you drun I will have a read πŸ‘

I too find the first 10 min difficult, but I know once I get over that it becomes a lot easier, if easier is the right word to use. I’ve tried different warm ups, and tried to slow down and pace myself. I think it will take time. Nevertheless, happy πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Me too πŸ˜†πŸ‘

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

As AlMorr says, just start off nice and slow and/or extend your warmup.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

I'm usually uncoordinated at the start of my runs too. The only thing to do is to take it a little more slowly until you're feeling you're past that.

Popstess profile image
PopstessGraduate

Well done that sounds like a beautiful post C25k run 😁 I can't wait to get there after been put back a few weeks due to an injury I was originally due to graduate beginning of June too 😞 posts like this make me feel excited for graduating!

I too find the first 5/10 minutes super hard, in fact I could swear it's already been at

Least 20 minutes when sarah says that's 5 minutes I always feel outraged that it was only 5! I find slowing down and really focusing on my breathing so I don't get too out of breath too quickly. I find it easier if I'm running with someone because I concentrate on being able to chat to them but on my own my pace can creep up at the start making that toxic ten all the more toxic.

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply toPopstess

Keep going Popstess it won’t be long till graduation πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ‘ xx

Jericho2332 profile image
Jericho2332Graduate

When I was running longer distances regularly it took me 3km to warm up, after that I could just relax and keep running.

Now I'm only running fairly short distances 5 to 10 k and the toxic 10 is still very real lol just don't give up, ignore the gremlins and keep on going πŸ‘πŸ» your doing great πŸ’ͺ🏻

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply toJericho2332

Thank you πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ‘

Pigpog profile image
PigpogGraduate

You're doing great! I found the first 5-10 mins a struggle too but after the post suggested above by drun , about the reasons behind it, it all made sense and I just made sure I was taking it nice and slow and was well hydrated etc. You got this!

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toPigpog

I second what Pigpog says. Accept that the Toxic 10 is just an adjustment, take it really slow, look at the scenery and think about something else. Before you know it you'll get through it 😁

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

The more effective your warm-up is, the less toxic the 10 will be :-)

Skiddle1 profile image
Skiddle1Graduate

Hi Polly, I also get that sluggish feeling in the first 5 minutes... I think it's because your legs need to loosen up and your lungs need to open more to take in more oxygen.... Maybe some nice long stretches and deep breathing before you leave for a run would help. It's just the body going through an adjustment period from being quite still to then running. Everything needs to wake up and get with the script so to speak.. 😁

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply toSkiddle1

Thanks Skiddle1 πŸ‘

Skiddle1 profile image
Skiddle1Graduateβ€’ in reply toPollyGray

Hi Polly Gray, just thought I'd add, I did a run yesterday and I did a way better warm up specially aimed at runners (just a vid on YouTube) and I didn't get any sluggish feeling this time, I also ran in the afternoon, when my body is fully flexible unlike early in a morning. Maybe that could help too. ☺️

Riverseo profile image
RiverseoGraduate

Psychologically I found eventually doing the longer distances working up to 10k made the initial adjustment more bearable or less taxing because the adjustment time becomes an overall smaller percentage of your time running. Like now that 10mins is a third of your run time by the time you get to 10k it probably is only a fifth. Keep going you are doing grand!

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply toRiverseo

Thank you Riverseo πŸ‘

That toxic 10 i also find a huge challenge although today I really slowed down and blimey, it worked. It wasn't nearly as bad as usual. In fact, I actually enjoyed it. Wowzer!

PollyGray profile image
PollyGrayGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Thanks Alan99 I am not the fastest runner but will try and slow down even more πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ‘

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Lovely long slow run tonight

After my body refused to work very well at my first Parkrun on Saturday I decided to go out tonight...
AndyD profile image
Graduateβ€’

Good run tonight!

The knee was finally feeling better tonight and so I hit the pavement. I tried some pace work at...
RunningForBroke profile image
Graduateβ€’

Woohoo! Good run tonight!

Have been struggling to get out 3 times a week as I had planned and have been just about squeezing...
heavyhorse profile image
Graduateβ€’

Lovely run and personal best!!!!

Hi everyone, So chuffed this morning had to post on here! Since graduating back at the start of...
mand3966 profile image
Graduateβ€’

Lovely Sunset after run

Just come back from my first 15 minutes run of Ju Ju's Magic 10 and took this photo of sunset
AlMorr profile image
Ambassadorβ€’

Moderation team

See all
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.