Hi,
I liked running a lot as a young teenager and was pretty good at it, but I had to stop at age 14 due to hyperventilation. I tend to hyperventilate as soon as I start to exercise a bit more intensely.
I got some appropriate therapy and have been able to engage in activities with a lower intensity level like yoga, pilates but also swimming.
However, since I'm quite broke lately (happens!), I decided to avoid expensive gym subscriptions and go back to running, I figured if I could run after a bus I could start and try to complete C25K. I am 26, just very slightly overweight and in good general physical shape.
Week 1 even felt easy, but now in week 2, I'm struggling to find a breathing rhythm that suits me. I run at 165 bpm on average and I've tried slowing down to 150 first and then only jogging very lightly (140). I do not feel tired after the 90 sec run, but I am out of breath and it takes me the full two minutes of walking to recuperate, if not more.
I managed to pull through this second week but I am afraid that hyperventilation will beat me and/or force me to quit. I tend to end up breathing in and out through my mouth, which hurts my throat and I know this will get worse as the weather gets colder.
Are there any hyperventilating runners in this group? Did any of you have any similar issues and how did you solve it?
I can't wait to be rich and able to afford a personal trainer to run again, I feel like I've waited too long already.