Panicky runner.

[TwistaRuns]

So, I joined our local council jogging group (jog Derbyshire) on Wednesday. Was hard work but felt great afterwards with my best ever time. They were doing sprinting at one point and I've realised why I can't bare it... I REALLY panic when I start to get out of breath! It's horrid. I don't know WHY I panic! I don't have asthma but have had panic attacks as a child and it reminds me of that. It's ridiculous. It actually scares me. Any suggestions?!

In other news: my new running trainers give me pins and needles and then my toes go numb. What's what all about????

T

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Could you practice short sprints every so often (once a week maybe)? Perhaps start off really short? Maybe repeated exposure will lessen the panic

As for the shoes - were they tied too tight or your socks too tight? That can cause your feet to numb.

Happy running.

[TwistaRuns Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

They were making us sprint quite a distance. Maybe 200metres. Maybe if I know I've only got to do 100 metres it'll seem less daunting...

Did loosen up the trainers fully but still had it. I hate having to get new shoes! Loved my old ruined ones! Xx

[Hidden]

the numbness could be your shoes are laced too tight ? there are various ways you can lace your shoes as well - clouds.on-running.com/en-gb...

The panic I guess is more of a physiological thing , not wanting to experience being out of breath or uncomfortable , I have often thought and said I can run faster than my brain says I can ... I tend to run on my own in the week and with others at parkrun on a sat. I would have thought it was a good thing to be in a group where you can push each other in a safe environment ..

I would say it is a case of pushing a little each time so that your envelope boundary is pushed a little further as you go

[TwistaRuns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ohh thanks. I'll take a look at the laces link x

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

I was so happy to have trail shoes but when I ran, lost all the feeling in my toes 😖 Which was so upsetting. I relaced them loosening the lace at the toes, perfect. Hope u manage the same!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

For the breathing panic, try wearing headphones so you can't hear yourself (though don't do this if you're crossing roads, or running anywhere with heavy human/bike/vehicle traffic - no good being calm but squashed!). It helped me, and now I know from experience that I actually *won't* die of gaspy mouth-breathing, I don't care anymore.

For the shoes, check you're not lacing them so tightly they're pressing on the tendons on the top of your foot, or so loosely that your toes are sliding into the front of the shoe and giving themselves concussion.

Good luck with it all. I'm utterly biased, but we do have one of the loveliest counties to run in 😊