Breathing

[MegR24]

I’m up to w4R2 today, however I’m still struggling with breathing

Trying to take slow deep breaths every three strides or so but still find myself panting a bit in between!

I’m by no means going fast at all. Quite unfit as not exercised in 6 years but it’s the breathing that’s making it so hard. My legs feel fine it’s just the panting like an overexcited dog 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just breathe.... like you do all the time.... If you are struggling, then slow down... until you are breathing gently.

Don't overthink it...like blinking... if you think about it.. it becomes weird!

Just try to relax... and also, as the runs get longer, increase some of your rest day exercise. Our stamina and strength needs to build up alongside our legs...!

[Jell6 Graduate]

Don't count, just breathe 😊

Your body has been doing it's own thing all your life, breathing wise, you can't suddenly change that, and you don't need to.

I do deep breaths on the warm up walk, I find it helps. I still breathe through my mouth too.

Slowing down helps.

When you get to the longer runs, you will find your breathing settles.

Week 4, more than half way through 👍

[micey2 Graduate]

Try putting your tongue just behind your front teeth when you breathe in, it makes you breath through your nose and out of your mouth. I find It works for me and stops the panting thing. Still blowing like a racehorse but not panting 😂😂 good luck

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

RHYTHMIC BREATHING!!! That is the answer. When you are sitting at your computer, watching TV or walking, you don't have to think about breathing too much. It just happens like it has all of your life. BUT - when you start to run (especially for the first time) , you need to organize your breathing. Your body needs MORE oxygen!! The harder the effort , the more it needs to be organised. Now this "organization" doesn't need to happen all the time and forever - but like any skill (hitting a golf ball?) it needs to be practiced and after a while becomes completely automatic. Rhythmic breathing while running is like dancing to the beat of the music. If you try to dance a walz to the beat of a Quickstep, it just doesn't work. But if you practice dancing to the walz rhythm , then you will get to the point where you can dance to the music without counting your steps.

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Actually old walz time music is good to run to - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - all beats equally spaced - try it

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

There is advice in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... on breathing and many other topics.