The Dreaded First 10 minutes.... does it get easier?

dsak · January 2012

I'm a fairly new runner.... only about 6 months. I did the C25K program on the treadmill, and then re-did it for outside running. I ran my first 5K in early December, and have my 2nd scheduled for this Saturday.

Anyway, even though running is getting a little easier for me and I am slowly trying to increase my distance (ran 4 miles on my last 2 runs), I still notice that the first 10 minutes of every run seems hard. While I want to be out there, I still feel like quitting each run within that first 5-10 minutes. My breathing is harder... I feel like I'm struggling... and I feel tired. But.... once I hit a certain point.... it all of a sudden gets easier and I know I can keep going. While I don't "love running" just yet, I do enjoy it about 1/2 way into every run, and I love the feeling afterward... and I'm glad I did it.

Does anyone else feel like this? And for those with more experience... does it get easier, or.... are the first 5-10 minutes always hard until your breathing gets into a rhythm and your stride becomes more natural? Just wondering if I'm doing something wrong... or if it's common.

BioQueen · January 2012

I always hate the first 10 minutes or so (or the first mile). I started running around May/June of last year and have worked up to 6 miles on my longer runs. Once my body finds its rhythm and has adequately warmed up I am usually ready to tackle those longer runs. It has gotten easier with each pound I've lost, but I still dislike those first 10 minutes.

dsak · January 2012

Thanks... glad to know I'm not completely alone!!! I hope it gets easier as time goes on!!!

ACDesigns · January 2012

I'm not currently running (too hard on my knees at my current weight) but even with seated cycling I find the first 10 or so minutes are annoying and hard. I can't remember back to when I DID run how I felt, but I do remember not feeling that way so much after running for a long while. HTH

danger8 · January 2012

I play rugby and I feel the same week in - week out. The first 10 mins im out of breath instantly but once i start to warm up and get a but of a sweat-on i dont notice it until i get really tired.
Don't worry about it, the best thing is that its only temporary and things will definately get easier both after the first 10 mins and the more you do it!

yankeedownsouth · January 2012

I find this with cycling as well. The first 7 miles or so are exhausting, but once I get through those, the next 20 or 30 are a breeze.

toadiejones · January 2012

I'm a couple of weeks behind you in your run training! I did c25k last summer on all the treadmill and now I'm redoing it and taking it outside and improving my speed. And this time, I keep going until I've completed 3.1 miles each time. I feel exactly the same way about those 1st 10 minutes. I struggle to keep going...but after that I can run pretty steadily and get annoyed when my walk intervals come up. I find like it when the c25k part is done and I can just run straight for the last mile(s). I'm really hoping that it gets easier too!

momof3and3 · January 2012

No matter what speed I start off with, the first 1.5 miles of my run are the worst! I have tried to start slowly to warm up, or to just get right into my pace, either way I struggle with it...after I hit about 15 mins. into my run I finally feel ok, but it takes me until about mile 3 to feel really good...

youngmomtaz · January 2012

Yup, I always feel like this my first mile(or first 12ish minutes). I have been running up to 8 miles and everything after the 1st feels great. But the first has never ceased to suck for me, winter summer, indoor, outdoor it is always hard. Not sure how to get past it, I just count it as my warm up and take the first bit slower if I have to.

SinIsIn · January 2012

The first 5-10 minutes are always the worst for me too. But after a while I get into a good rhythm and I'm fine.

The Dreaded First 10 minutes.... does it get easier?

Replies

Categories