I don't speak bicycle. What's it called when... page

[Knifegill]

Okay, I barely speak fitness. I just want to know what you call that period at about 10 to 15 minutes of hard riding on a bicycle when the lactic acid/soreness suddenly vanishes and you can ride for hours without stopping. Happens with speed walking, too. You're hoofing it hard, and you feel like your legs are just burning - and poof - instantly you feel fine, and can walk all day as long as you don't stop. What is that?

[RichMahogany]

Being in the zone?

[Knifegill]

Yeah, but is it endorphins kicking in or what? How do I go from about-to-give-up-and-hobble-home to this-is-easy-and-great-let's-keep-going in a matter of seconds?

[magicmerl]

I always thought it was endorphins.

[MissJecka]

We runners call it "runner's high".

[EvRevFit]

Probably not something you can get yourself to in seconds. I'm pretty sure it's endorphins also, which I believe are part of the parasympathetic "rest and digest" hormones. Those hormones have a much slower response time than those affected by the sympathetic "fight or flight" nervous system.

[not on the rug]

not sure what it's called, but for me it just means that i'm warmed up. whenever i do anything cardio-based like cycling, jogging, intense kayaking, the first 10-15 minutes are really hard for me. i'm not loose or relaxed, the blood just isn't pumping, etc. i feel this way when i lift too, but the feeling doesn't last as long.

[Andtckrtoo]

not sure what it's called, but for me it just means that i'm warmed up. whenever i do anything cardio-based like cycling, jogging, intense kayaking, the first 10-15 minutes are really hard for me. i'm not loose or relaxed, the blood just isn't pumping, etc. i feel this way when i lift too, but the feeling doesn't last as long.

This. If it's the first 15/20 minutes, it simply means my blood is flowing and I've warmed up.

[sbhikes]

I wore a heart rate monitor while jogging yesterday. For the first 15-20 minutes it was hell trying to stay under my max. I could go just a few 10s of feet and then I had to walk to slow my heart. Then suddenly I was able to go long stretches under my max. Maybe it's just being warmed up.

[honeypig]

not sure what it's called, but for me it just means that i'm warmed up. whenever i do anything cardio-based like cycling, jogging, intense kayaking, the first 10-15 minutes are really hard for me. i'm not loose or relaxed, the blood just isn't pumping, etc. i feel this way when i lift too, but the feeling doesn't last as long.

Exactly--it just means that your heart rate has risen to where it needs to be, your muscles are warmed up and loose and you're ready to go. If you feel that bad when you first head out, I'd suggest maybe starting out a little slower and easier. Give yourself a 5-10 minute warmup and your workouts will generally go better. It's good to do the same when you're done, too--take a little cooldown.

Best wishes!