Runners: does the first few min. of running get easier?

kuechletwins

I've been working on the C25K program for a couple of months and am loving it. But, it just dawned on me as I was running today that the first 3 minutes are always the toughest for me. It's like clockwork - after the first 3 min. I stop the self talk that is saying "why am I doing this", "this is a pain in the butt", - and LOVE the run! Is this just me? Do those first few min. ever get easier???

__flexylexi

I am the same way. Except for me its the first 2 miles. After those two miles are done, the long run is a breeze

starboardzor

I think for me it actually takes longer to get to that feeling as time goes by. But I always get it and I've been running for around 7 years. For a 40 minute run for me, it will probably hit around mile 1 and once I get past that I'm golden.

Atlantique

Yes and no. Yes, it gets easier to make it through them. No, they never feel fantastic to me. Even when I was running 25 miles a week, the first 10 minutes were the worst. After that, I'd be in the groove and enjoying the run.

epj78

Add me to the first two miles camp - never did get easier.

mommacool

I feel the same way when I get on the elliptical, which is what I always do first at the gym. During the first 2-3 minutes I question why I am doing it. Then it gets easier. I have been wondering the same thing. My legs feel so tired and unwilling to move.

Panda_Jack

I'm the same way.. after the first 2 minutes suck, but after that I'm good to go.

mrandolph112

I have been running for 2 months now and feel the same way! My legs just don't want to move like they should when I first get going. I even do warm up exercises and walk to try and help get my muscles warm but doesn't help much. I just push myself through it and I am now running farther and faster then I ever have in my life.

phitme

I'm more like the first 10-15 minutes but after that my body seems to warm up fully & it gets easier although it is never EASY.

debbiepa

I usually feel that way the first mile. My body starts out screaming "What are you doing?" and then after a few minutes, it says "Hey, I get want you want me to do. I can handle this." Completely normal. Good job on the running!

maserati185

I just recently picked up running again but yeah, I've noticed that even just 1/4 mile in I'm saying to myself "Oh God, I can't do this..." "Why bother" "Those people see that I suck" and just giving myself some hate talk... and sure enough, it seems like the times that I'm saying that to myself the most, that's when I have the best run when those endorphines kick in.

snkeller24

Mines about the first 1/2 mile or 10 minutes depending on the running adventure I'm on. If I'm at the gym I def find something to distract me from what I'm doing or super fast pumping music. Pandora is great for finding "house" music.

mayasmom

I am SO glad that you asked this question!

I've only attempted jogging in the past 12 weeks. I started out not being able to jog one lap (11 = a mile at my gym). I have increased my endurance to 6 laps before a walk break but the first two ALWAYS suck. Funny thing is that our trainer likes to have us do intervals of strength training between a typical 2 lap jog. Which means....of course...that I get to keep doing those first two laps over and over and over. They suck every single time! :-)

I'm hoping that goes away!

LorinaLynn

Same here. The first 3 minutes is the hardest. It's easier during a race, because I'm passing people for the first few minutes and that's always fun, even if they end up passing me in the next few minutes.

Wolfena

I've been running about 4.5 years now and the first mile is still the hardest for me!