muscle weakness and running

I have a question for the more experienced runners out there....I have found that for about the first 3 minutes of my run my whole body gets really weak to the point where I think I might need to stop!  I don't stop but rather push through it and once it passes I'm fine.  I'm currently running 5KM about 5 times a week.  I'm curious to know if this is something others experience.  Could it be lack of protein?

Are you warming up before you start running or do you step out the door and go at it?

When I go out for a run, the first 1/2 mile to mile is usually the hardest for me. I contribute it to the fact that my whole body is 'cold' and needs time to warm up, increase my heart rate, get blood where it needs to go, etc.

Either try going a bit slower in the beginning or do some arobic exercises before you start running.

I do not think it would have anything to do with lack of protein. (But I am not a nutritionist, so don't quote me on that.)

Thanks for the info!  I think you're right I do need to warm up more or else start out slow until I'm warm.  I've been trying that lately and it seems to be working a lot better.

I have another question...when you run (I think I read that you run half marathons?) do you train really lightly in the week before you run your race?  I've been doing 10KM races but so far I've been unsure as to how hard (or not)to train the week prior to the race. 

Thanks.  Reba

You are welcome. Glad to be of help!

If you were to train for a marathon, you are supose to taper (lessen) your mileage the last three weeks before the race with hardly any mileage the last week compared to your regular training schedule. During half marathon training, the 'taper' usually starts 2 weeks before, so one can safely assume that decreasing the mileage before a 10k race would be the thing to do.

The reason you decrease the mileage is so your body can recuperate from all the extra strain your training has done to it. All your muscle have time to repair themselves and be ready come race day. However, if you have been running the same distance consistantly then there is no real need to taper, perhaps don't run hard starting two days before your race.

I wish you good luck and look forward to hearing how things are going!

Penny