The first 10 minutes...

[jimboalee]

I have many times witnessed an 'Adrenaline rush' on the gym bike.

I set the bike to regulate resistance to keep a constant heart rate.

Off I go and the resistance is pretty high to keep me at 90% of 220 minus age.
After about 40 minutes, the resistance lowers and my pedalling action becomes easier.

Adrenaline has been secreted and as a result, increases my heart rate causing the bikes feedback loop to lower the power requirement to maintain a constant HR.

The same can be experienced on the treadmill where the machine is adjusting gradient to control a constant HR.
After 30 - 40 minutes, the gradient drops and running is easier.

 

[col1888]

Yeah, i get this too ! Raring for decent weather, or a non rainy day, to get out and go for it. Then for the first ten minutes it seems like b****y hard work and not much fun. But after that !Woo Hoo !

 

[PaulSecteur]

Just as a bit of follow up, last night I slept like a log, and feel knackerd today. I can feel my legs have been worked, but no real aches or pain.

Looking forward to the next dry day so I can do the loop the other way.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

First decent climb has the same effect on me. Always feels like the hardest climb of the day. Often isn't.

 

[StuartG]

I got that with running too. The solution, for me, was to have a toddle around the block to get loosened up. Then I could take on even the fitter folks as they went through 'their' first 10 minutes.

Pace. Its all about pace.

Actually if you do a bit of research into aerobic activity you will see your body changes gear after about 8 mins or so. You just need a way of enjoying those first 8 mins and understanding your body.

 

[normgow]

In the cold weather it's important to start off steadily. Also important is wearing the right amount of clothing, I find if I'm nice and cosy from the beginning then really I'm overdressed and a few miles on will be sweating profusely. Generally it's better to feel a bit cold for the first few miles until you warm up and then everything sorts itself out. However taking an exra layer of clothing in your back pocket is sometimes a good idea in the winter in the case of a rapid drop in temperature.

 

[Norm]

+1 to that.

I'm usually fairly lucky as I don't get cold whilst cycling. A pair of thin poly-cotton walking trousers (with waterproofs if it rains) for the legs and a t-shirt, thin fleece and cycling jacket for the top half will see me right as long as the temperature is above freezing.

It was definitely the last 10 minutes which were the hardest today, it was all getting a bit cold and wet after a couple of hours in the rain.

 

[Willo]

Just to echo above, I've found the same with running and it's carried across now I've started to do more cycling. As normgow says re clothing, I find the start of a cycle tough at this time of year as the cold hits me as I set out and wonder why I'm bothering. However, if I dress up too much I'm then too hot after a few miles. If I go out at the weekend, it's usually after 10-20 mins when out I'm into a rhythm and have warmed up that I start to enjoy things. In fact, I've not commuted to the station since before Christmas as my shortish cycle wasn't giving me enough time to get past the warm up stage in the cold weather (at 6 in the morning). When it gets lighter/warmer, I can enjoy a more scenic route to get past the warm up.

 

[potsy]

I did it the other way round this morning-10 mins decent pace then developed a twinge in my hamstring(I think) so had to take it easy for the next 6-7 miles.Bit sore on way home too.
Had a touch of trouble with it last year til I started doing a few stretches before a ride.Got lazy now and keep forgetting to stretch.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Its the same with running for me

I start and am hating it then after the first mile and a half, I get into a "zone" where rhythm and breathing all just work together.

Like StuartG above, I tend to do my warm up exercises, then leave the house and walk the half-mile or so to the junction where a quiet, long uninterrupted road begins, so that when I start running there, the short walk has made a difference and also I'm not stop-starting at crossings every hundred yards

Warming up isn't getting your muscles fully warmed up, its about getting them losened enough not to cause damage. THe real warmjng up starts at the beginning of whatwever you are doing be it walking, cycling, running etc

 

[andyfromotley]

Like others, i think it may be temperature issue. I set off and its a bit cold and yucky, 10 mins in blood flowing temp raised, happy rider.

 

[Debian]

I like this thread I thought it was only me that had this problem until I saw this.

When I cycle from home in my preferred direction it's an immediate steepish uphill for a short while. Likewise when I leave work for home I hit a steep but short uphill almost immediately. In both scenarios I feel like a complete wus and feel like I'm really struggling and unfit at first. I'm fine later on and can happily tackle much steeper and longer climbs with ease, it's just the first few minutes until I've warmed up.

 

[jimboalee]

Air temperature doesn't have much to do with it.

Try running up the Brecon Beacons in shorts and a T shirt with the snow flurrying around you.

Muscle core temperature however, does have a lot to do with it. It takes a while for the cardiovascular system to get oxygen to the muscle fibres.
It has been said often "warm up properly". This means 'stabilise the energy transportation system' within your body.

On the inverse, it takes 10 - 20 minutes of non-activity to get the muscle core temperature down AFTER a demanding exercise session.
Don't just jump into the shower, when you get out you will still be sweating. Sit down for 20 mins ( and have a dump ), and then have a shower.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Just a bit of an update, Im now been on a few more rides and although the 10 min effect is still there it doesnt seem as bad, In fact I have started using it as a motivator as I know roughly how far I will be before its gone "Get passed sainsburys and it all good from there".

An odd thing though, I have done about 6 rides of about 15 to 20 miles, after about 90 mins I seem to get a second wind and everything seems easier on the flats, then as soon as there is the slightest of uphill gradient its all gone...whats that all about?

 

[zacklaws]

Only 10 minutes to get warmed up, I found out a while ago it takes me 30 minutes riding to get going, if not, then when I get to the 12 mile mark I usually am.