Why does running feel so hard in the first 10 minutes? Here’s how to avoid running pains

Woman sitting on the pavement in pain

Credit: Getty

Strong Women


Why does running feel so hard in the first 10 minutes? Here’s how to avoid running pains

By Miranda Larbi

3 years ago

1 min read

It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, the start of a run is always a painful experience, says Strong Women editor Miranda Larbi. 

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been running – the first 10 minutes of a run are bloody awful. You lace up with the intention of going on an easy canter and 500m in, your ankles feel like they’re going to explode and your lungs are crying.

Despite having run ultramarathons, each time I step out for a 30-minute jog I’m in agony. And it’s only until I’m quite far along my route that the pain starts to subside and I manage to find my groove – not ideal when you’re only planning to do 5K and you’re only able to breathe easy 3K in…

The question is: why does running often feel so painful early on, and why doesn’t that pain stop the more fit and experienced you get? I actually want to go running – I like running – so I know that it can’t be a mental block.

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