Toxic Ten

[sundaypapers]

I've just noticed chatter about the Toxic Ten. Call me daft, but I've never come across this term before. Can someone tell me what it means? I have a half-an-idea (and if so, I experience it) but not totally sure.

[sundaypapers Graduate]

Sorry, I've found this. Very interesting, and good to know. That first 10 mins IS (often) tougher than the rest.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to sundaypapers]

It certainly is and I get it quite badly! For me, the best way to deal with it is to do a really good warm up. This way, most of my Toxic Ten is during the warm up and not the run itself.

I do my stretches at home and start my watch as soon as I leave the house. I start by jogging for a few minutes at a comfortable pace. Then I walk for a bit. Jog a bit more! I’ll speed up for about 30 seconds - not flat out, but quite fast. Repeat. Total warm up is about 10 minutes, usually just over a kilometre. During this warmup I often think “I can’t do this today I’m already out of breath!” (But then I might go on to run for 10 km!)

I stop my watch after the warm up and save it as a separate run. (It counts towards my totals for the week!) I’ll do a few more stretches and a couple of bursts of faster running. Then I’m ready to start my run, starting off quite slowly for the first few minutes. 😊

[sundaypapers Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks for replying. Yes, the times I've gone on to run longer than my regular 5k have often been the runs which have started off feeling the hardest. I get to 7 or 8k and think 'what happened there...?'.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate]

I reckon that the reason so many people 'hate running' is because the first 10 or so minutes really are the hardest. On the rare runs where I get beyond 5km it's just amazing and wonderful how the body takes over and just does its thing 😁

[nowster Graduate]

The Toxic Ten is when your body hasn't yet got the message that it needs to enter "running mode". The metabolism hasn't adapted yet.

There's also a Tomato Ten at the end of a run where the body hasn't got the message that the exercise is over.

[drl212 Graduate in reply to nowster]

I've not heard of the Tomato Ten! LOL! Thanks...

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to nowster]

Hahahahaha…i haven’t heard of the tomato ten 🤣🤣🤣

So I get toxic ten, tomato ten …I’ll be having a smiley in between thinking about this 🤣🤣

[SweatyHettie Graduate in reply to nowster]

😂😂Well as my name suggests I’m definitely a fully paid up member of the Tomato Ten !

[Bruch1 Graduate in reply to nowster]

🍅 LOL yes, I know that one too 🍅

[drl212 Graduate]

Yes, it's very real. I discovered it in the middle of the program.

I've increased my warm-up walk to be more brisk to try to get through it faster. Its helped a bit but I may try some walk/jog like Jools2020 suggests above.

It's a necessary evil. My rules on days when I'm not sure I want to run or not are: 1. Get out the door (first step) and 2. You can stop after 10 - 15 minutes. (I've never stopped).

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

No matter how much running I’ve done, I’ve always had this. Just knowing it will get better makes such a difference. I usually question all my life choices and hate every step, and then suddenly it’s ok! Weirdly I’ve always realised this while I’ve swimming (awful first ten laps then fine) but it took me ages to realise it happens in running as well. I’m such a slow learner! Take back the power and embrace the hideousness of those ten minutes, then enjoy the rest of your run!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Love it... ! x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

So many posts about this...and .. some get it, some don't... sometimes the toxic ten can last longer, sometimes less.

Have a read...

A post from the past from of our most awesome running friends... but still relevant!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Yup, I nearly always start each run thinking "What am I doing? Not a runner, ought to go home" etc, then at some point it's ok.... I never notice the transition....

[Bruch1 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I'm definitely with you there! Then at the end of the run I think WOW perhaps I could do that again ... but I don't as that feeling usually comes after my shower and cup of coffee 😆

[Snippit Graduate]

thank you for raising this as the replies have really helped me understand what’s going on with my own running. I struggle so much in first 10mins, to then be able to run longer at the end of the session and do a faster burst (s) too. And also breath!

[sundaypapers Graduate in reply to Snippit]

I’m glad so many have replied. It’s really helped me too!