Struggling with breathing when I run

[Scarlet38]

Does anyone find they struggle with their breathing when they are running? I'm a swimmer and always thought I had good breathing until I started running. I'm up to running for 20 mins but I find I can't go further as I'm gasping for breath - tips?!

[Rignold]

I have been struggling with my breathing while running too. I have no problem while doing long cardio sessions on bike and rowing machine etc but running is quite different for me. I find it impossible to breathe from my diaphragm while running, even after just a couple of minutes. I manage to do 30 mins now but with very inefficient breathing, and am sure that if I could sort this out it would be a much easier and more pleasurable experience.

I just got this book though, which seems to suggest that the problem lies with the core muscles, which are working in different ways while running than during other types of exercise. Am going to have a go at doing the exercises it recommends for runners to strengthen my core and see if that helps.

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/073...

[ajwyld Graduate]

Also a swimmer and find the same thing. When swimming I find it easy to control and change my breathing - not so running.

If you're gasping after 20 minutes, is it possible that you're going too fast ? Try taking the pace down a bit and see if that helps. Also, try a 1 minute walk break then starting again.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Its a common problem - most folks here have had troubles with it at some point. It took me a long time to arrive at a solution that works for me. Counting 1-2-3-4 with my feet hitting the floor, I breath in-in-in-out, so sort of

ha-ha-ha-phew (!!!!)

I've no idea if that's good practice or not! Anyhow, it still takes me a good 7 or 8 minutes into a run before I'm doing that without thinking.

[Dam44]

A friend of mine recently did the Edinburgh marathon, & a few weeks before attended a course on breathing for the run & found it really helped her, so don't now if you'd be able to find the same sort of thing in your area.