Breathing

[Thickthighs]

I get very breathless very quickly does anyone have any tips for me? 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and explains the recommended easy conversational pace, at which you can talk, breathe and run.

Enjoy your journey.

[Thickthighs Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you today I’ll try the technique on essential guide 😊

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Hi there my 2 tips are 1) read the essential guide if you haven't already and 2) embrace your inner snail 🐌 slow is the way to go. You may not think you can run any slower but you can Some days my running pace is slower than I can briskly walk so don't feel disheartened if you get that too.

Keep up the good work 👍

[Thickthighs Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

I have watched the essential guide so here’s to snails pace and being able to breath! Thank you 😊

[LA17YJO]

I completed C25K about 6 years ago but have just started again. Last time I was always breathless but put this down to being a smoker. So now, 3 years smoke free, I thought I would find it much easier but, no, I was still breathless. Goggle breathing techniques & read about "belly breathing" OMG! it's a game changer. Takes a bit of practice but am now week 3 & so wish I researched sooner. Good luck!

[Thickthighs Graduate in reply to LA17YJO]

Wow you’ve done so well! I find if I concentrate on my breathing the running goes to pot! I’ll try slowing down though thank you 😊

[Yeti5 Graduate]

Hi Thickthighs. I was in the exact same position when I started to run. Having read through a variety of forum posts, the bottom line seemed to be slow down. I genuinely thought I was going as slowly as I could but somehow found a slower gear. It was like magic. My next run was so much more comfortable.

I hope this helps. All the best with your future runs.

[Thickthighs Graduate in reply to Yeti5]

I too thought I was very slow! 9.3mins/km but I’ll try even slower thank you 😊

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Hi TT, I had to slow down. The breathing techniques which help some people were no good for me, because as soon as I thought about how I was breathing, everything went to pot! It's always possible to run slower, it helped me to think about shortening my stride rather than slowing down. It has the same effect

Don't worry, it does get easier - and quicker than you might think.

[Thickthighs Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thank you, my stride is short but I will try slowing down 😊

[Hatman Graduate]

Slow down is really good advice. Watch YouTube Japanese jogging video. Running on the spot, makes you land on the balls of your feet. That action with tiny steps allows you to breathe at a comfortable talk pace. This from me who stopped a few seconds early in some of the week2 90 second runs, gasping!

Now just come in from W6R1 and I am surprised how quickly I return to normal breathing. You are learning running and breathing and pace and posture and it all comes together and it helps so much.

Slow running is better than NO running! Welcome! Fellow runner!

[Thickthighs Graduate in reply to Hatman]

Thank you and well done so far!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Thickthighs]

Best of luck TT, I may not get to 6/3 until Tuesday next.

Keep up the good work!

[Scram Graduate]

I went through the same thing. Slowing down really helped. I walk very quickly so a slower run evens out my pace! It's better to finish the whole run slowly than not get to the end. It got easier over the last couple of runs. X