This is interesting.

I didn't feel this when I did aerobics or weight lifting, but when I start running everyday, I have to struggle to really pull my breaths in and it seems a giant struggle just to get moving. I also mentally find myself trying to rationalize taking a day off or a break (I ran 3 days already, yesterday I did more than usual, 1 day off wont hurt, should I walk instead, etc). Seems I am dead set against doing the run. Then all of a sudden, 10 minutes in (almost exactly for me) my breathing evens right out, my legs starting pumping ahead more easily and I start to really look around and concentrate on the scenery, not the running. Every single time the same thing. Yesterday after a very long run I wasn't even breathing heavy. So weird.

Is this "the zone" people talk about? Or perhaps runners "high"? I have never experienced those things doing other kinds of exercise, so this is kind of unique for me.

Anybody else feel this?

sirant

I have the same feeling sometimes before my interval sessions. I literally drag myself to the gym screaming, and then, after the first interval, I'm "in the groove."

On the " runner's high ", it's likely the combined effect of adrenaline, dopamine and other chemicals kicking in.

As for being winded before you run - " when I start running everyday, I have to struggle to really pull my breaths in and it seems a giant struggle just to get moving " ....." 10 minutes in (almost exactly for me) my breathing evens right out, my legs starting pumping ahead " - my guess would be it's a warm-up - or shall i say improper warm-up - issue. But I'm just guessing.

One of the the reasons you want to warmup before you do any exercise ( like running ) is because you want to raise the temperature of your muscles. Warmer muscles can use oxygen and fuel supplied by your blood much better than " cold " muscles can. That's why, as in your example, if you don't warm up properly before a run you'll get winded as soon as you start running even though ( despite being in great cardio shape ), you might never get winded like that when you're actually running for the remaninder of the run. In your case, you said after 10 minutes you're back to your normal running wind " 10 minutes in (almost exactly for me) my breathing evens right out, my legs starting pumping ahead ".

I'm not surprised, and I think that warm-up may be the reason why. It's because although your muscles are being used for running, your " cold " muscles can't get the oxygen they need at the start of your run ( if you start too hard ) - so you end up getting winded prematurely at the start of your run. As your muscles get warmed up after 5- 10 minutes, your muscles can then get all the oxygen they need, and you can run easily ( not winded ) as you are used to doing. Everything is back to normal.

So, generally speaking, you want warm muscles ready to go before you start any exercise......and that is why we all recommend people do a " proper " warm-up before doing any exercise.

on some running boards, i've read that getting started is the hardest part. people that participate in running events will say that the first mile is always the hardest and about 1/2 way through they really find their "zone". so yeah - i think it's normal. it happens to me too. it's to the point where i think..why do i even argue with myself b/c i'm gonna run anyway..hehehe

Oh gosh I defenitely feel the same way!
Everything you said sirant!!
first 10 minutes are terrible, you struggle just to keep doing it (mostly mentally, but also physically!) Then after that, the time just fly by and you feel like you have all the energy in the world to keep going.

strange

For me it was always the first 12 minutes of a jog. Sometimes it was ridiculous how exhausted I'd feel at the beginning of a jog. But other times I'd feel strong right from the beginning. Booze is real bad for jogging/running and can make a person sluggish, as well eating just prior. I've never experienced the runner's high. I've usually always felt a challenge to control my breathing, work on pace, form, or feel my leg or butt muscles complain. The times I've felt strongest and most able to enjoy the scenery are when I've been consistently jogging for several months.

^ I drank wine and had a big dinner and pudding for my brothers birthday dinner JUST before running. I had a very bad pain in my stomach/chest. I won't be doing THAT again.

I agree with the other responses. I do the same thing. That's not "runner's high" though. When this happens, it's unmistakable. I've never been able to do it on normal runs, only some extreme sprinting efforts with competition. I cannot do it when practicing/training, only at a track meet. When it happens, it feels like you are floating, your legs just go at maximum effort by themselves, you feel incredibly smooth, actually you can't feel much, almost feels like everything's in slow motion, you have no pain, you are incredibly focused, etc. It's hard to explain.

Now when I run, I run leashed to a monster of a husky. The first mile can be especially hard, as the beast wants to hit 25 mph and he pulls! Warm ups are a must! But yes, the first mile is the time when I can feel out of breath, and have to exert a little mind over matter. Its easier now that I am fitter, but was especially hard at first .... and then my body falls into its 'running mode' - my breathing regulates, my 'running' falls into a more rhythmic jogging, and I feel just great. Once the run is over, I stretch, and have a hot bath - then I feel .... well, 'fit and happy'.

I don't run as often as I should, maybe every couple of weeks, but whenever I do run, I remember how hard that it was when I was overweight and just starting out.

I agree with some of the replies, in that it's likely the lack of proper warmup that is doing you in during those first minutes. You really need to take it easy that first mile, allow your body to get used to the idea that a hard workout is about to come up. If you can alter your running habit to take this into account, I think you'll start to enjoy your runs a whole lot more. And when you no longer associate 'running' with 'extreme agony', you'll never be making up excuses again to skip a training day.

I know how tempting it can be to just go out there and start pumping out those miles, showing the world who's the king of the jungle ... but your body won't be as cooperative, as you've already noticed