Breathlessness, my question is....

[ChrisAllen1]

So I have now done one post grad run but because in most of the later weeks I was running extra I have now done 10 runs all around or over the 30 minute mark.

My legs are fine and I am pretty confident would already stand up to an hour run and my energy levels are equally ok.

My issue is with my breathing which hasn't started to get any easier yet. After about 10 to 12 minutes of each run through to the end I am out of breath and having to grind it out.

I have asthma which doesn't help of course. I'm just wondering how many consolidation runs other people have done before it gets "easier" or does that only really happen when you start doing Bridge to 10k and start mixing up distances and speeds.

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

You're probably running too fast. Try slowing it down to a level where you could maintain a conversation even at the end of the run. Then just keep running at that level for a few months.

I'm the opposite, my legs are the weak point and I only get ahead of the breathing if i'm going way too fast.

[TedG Graduate in reply to pinkaardvark]

It’s the legs with me too, consequence of years of not being active.

I’m really working on stamina training at the moment.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to pinkaardvark]

I’m like you, and have a friend who is asthmatic like ChrisAllen1. We always say that between us we’d make one whole runner.

[TedG Graduate]

Morning Chris, without teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, have you tried easing off on the pace? I jog at a pace where I can comfortably hold a conversation....two breaths in and a long breath out works for me. First 10mins is always the hardest for me which is the norm I believe.

Just ventured out myself but too many ice patches about on the pavements to risk it 😏

Hope you sort the breathing out mate, nothing worse than having to grind it out on a fun run 😐

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate in reply to TedG]

I know pace could be an issue but I find it so hard to find a rhythm if I slow right down.

[TedG Graduate in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Try just taking 30secs off the pace...I soon found it easy to maintain it.

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate in reply to TedG]

Yes I think that's the way forward, I am going to try and run 5 even splits on Saturday at the park run

[TedG Graduate in reply to ChrisAllen1]

The advice I’ve had re parkruns, is start at the back and pick off the walkers and the ones that went out too quick. Otherwise you may get drawn into the pace of quicker runners.

Sounded like good advice to me 😊

Enjoy Saturday run 🏃🏃

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to ChrisAllen1]

If you want to slow down, you could try running to slower music to set the pace, or follow someone slower than you at Parkrun. I struggle with running at one speed as well.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Slowing down is the key. If you can't breath normally or have conversation while running, you are going too fast. Ignore other people's times, we are all different.

My breathing issues were sorted out very early in the program. As soon as l stopped pushing it and going faster.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

I’m afraid I can’t much, except to say slowing down does seem like it might be helpful.

[TedG Graduate]

I’m keeping at a pace that I feel I could maintain, breathing wise, for a Half Marathon, my ultimate goal.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Running slowly is difficult at first and feels lumpy, arhythmic, awkward and let's face it, not very macho, but your ability to breathe defines your easy pace, at which you should be doing 80% of your running.

Read this Chris runnersworld.com/running-ti...

It took me a long time to learn to slow down. My best tip is to go for a run with someone who has a naturally slower pace than you. Runs with my wife are perfect for me to run at an easy pace, because try as I do, I can't persuade her to slow down to her easy pace.

[TedG Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Re not being macho Tim. My brother filmed me on the Santa Run.....talk about shuffling Santa 😱

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to TedG]

Sounds about right,Ted, unless of course you were after a festive PB.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

If you're having problems breathing, and you're an asthmatic AND it's colder where you are these days, try covering your mouth with a buff. The warmer air coming in might improve your breathing. That, and slow down as others have said. Happy running.