Couch to 5K Running Program (C25K)

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Which part of the run is the hardest?

yogibella
yogibella Posts: 321 Member
in Social Groups
Hello fellow runners! :happy:

Just finished W6D3 today...all straight running for the next 3 weeks!!

So, what do you find is the toughest part of your runs? (ie. beginning, middle, end...etc) I just assumed it'll be the end but I find the first 5-10 minutes the hardest...it's when my breathing gets rough, I already break out in a sweat and all the aches & pains from the workout of the day before flares up...and my legs feel like lead.

BUT after I pass the 10 min mark, I get into a groove and my breathing settles (somewhat) and the aches go away and I'm on a good rhythm. My pacing gets better and of course the hills hit me hard but I can keep going! Does anyone else feel this way? I wonder if it's because I'm still a newbie runner...or is this normal? I do try and stretch and do a 8-10 min warm-up beforehand to prepare. Or is it all psychological..lol?

Replies

  • jadesign19
    jadesign19 Posts: 512 Member
    Me too! The first ten minutes $$7!. It's terrible.
  • moesaid2
    moesaid2 Posts: 67
    The very beginning...like getting off the couch :embarassed:
  • yogibella
    yogibella Posts: 321 Member
    The very beginning...like getting off the couch :embarassed:

    so true....LOL!
  • paulwgun
    paulwgun Posts: 439 Member
    I find the first 2.5K the hardest and often feel like stoping, but once i pass the 2.5k mark its as if my body then relaxes a bit and off i go:bigsmile:
  • strawberrygashes
    strawberrygashes Posts: 210 Member
    I find the first 2.5K the hardest and often feel like stoping, but once i pass the 2.5k mark its as if my body then relaxes a bit and off i go:bigsmile:

    This exactly!! The first 1.5-2 miles are always the hardest. I just remind myself that it gets easier when I just keep going.
    However, my usual route is quite hilly, and the other day I ran on the beach for the first time which is very flat. I had a great run and didn't feel that struggle that I usually do at the beginning and ended up running 8.7km. So I guess it also depends on the terrain too. :)
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    I kept this post in mind while I was running today and I'd have to say definately the first 7 or so minutes. Once I got past that, my breathing and legs evened out and I was able to keep going. Same thing after my walking break. The first 5 minutes were the hardest, but I was also going up a slight hill. Once that hill evened out so did my breathing and legs.
  • Randyamc
    Randyamc Posts: 365 Member
    The very beginning...like getting off the couch :embarassed:

    ^^^ This!! lol But then again, I'm only on week 2
  • yogibella
    yogibella Posts: 321 Member
    so glad to hear I'm not the only one!

    I'm avoiding the hills at the beginning & leaving it til the end for this reason....lol I will have to try out different trails and see how it goes:)
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    The first 1.5/2 miles... I feel like I'm forcing my feet every step before I get into that rhythm and body goes on autopilot

    Also the last half mile is VERY tough when it's a distance event and you know you're getting to the finish line! That lasts forever!!
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    I feel that the first 5 minutes or mile is always the toughest before I get my steady pace and start enjoying the run.
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I actually find the last third the toughest. I can be going great guns then completely flag towards the end. I'm hoping that this is just a sign of being a newbie and that it is on the end bits than I'm going to see the most improvement in the weeks to come. I also wonder a bit whether it's a mental thing - perhaps I'm expecting the last bits to be the most difficult?

    Hasn't stopped me though, did Week 5 Day 1 today.
  • ltlemermaid
    ltlemermaid Posts: 637 Member
    getting out the door can be challenging at times. Once I start running the first 1/2 to 1 mile is rough then I get in a groove...
  • Drastiic
    Drastiic Posts: 322 Member
    There's more responses in a thread from about 3 months ago:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/533011-runners-what-is-the-hardest-part-of-your-run
  • gomisskellygo
    gomisskellygo Posts: 635 Member
    I have a really hard time with the first 1.5 miles. After that I feel warmed up and ready to go!
  • jsidel126
    jsidel126 Posts: 694 Member
    The last 0.5 mile is my most difficult. The first 0.5 mile while not difficult, the body is slowly warming up to running temperature.
    In between is relaxing. :happy:
  • yogibella
    yogibella Posts: 321 Member
    Thanks for all the responses:) It's good to know & now I can mentally be better prepared to push through. Of course as the runs get longer the end will get tougher as well......lol
    getting out the door can be challenging at times. Once I start running the first 1/2 to 1 mile is rough then I get in a groove...

    ^^And yeah, getting laced up & out the door is hard sometimes too! Funny isn't it because I never regret getting out there...:laugh:
  • kssnyd65
    kssnyd65 Posts: 23 Member
    The first 10 minutes for me is always the hardest, I am fighting with myself the whole way to just keep going! But I love the feeling I get when I'm finished..... wow I can't believe I just did that :)
  • virginiejaubin
    virginiejaubin Posts: 497 Member
    Yay! I'm not alone! 1st 10 min are harder for me as well!

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