I get so breathless when running. How can I overcome this?

[Buspassrunner]

Is it my age.. 78?

[Buddy34 Graduate]

The only way to overcome this is to slow down. I know you may think you're already going slow but if you try really hard I'm sure you can slow down even more. Good luck 😊

[Annieapple Graduate]

🐌 running the only way. Have you googled Japanese slow running? Maybe helpful to you

[Buspassrunner in reply to Annieapple]

Yeah, curious isn’t it? Japanese people know a great deal about running.

[Mossywall]

Belly breathing! Google it. I've been trying it on my last few runs and it's making a huge difference for me when I manage it. Something I wish I'd known about long before now 😊.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Are you currently doing Couch to 5k? Have you completed it?

[Buspassrunner in reply to Tasha99]

Well I’ve just started week 2. I really like it but as I said I do get breathless. A reply said slow down but I’m pretty slow anyway!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Buspassrunner]

Ah! I thought so! My breathing didn’t sort itself out until I was through the 5-8 minute intervals. Just slow down and slow down again and stick with it - eventually your body will adapt and learn to breathe whilst you run. I promise you I could barely do 1 minute last year 😍

[Buspassrunner in reply to Tasha99]

Ta for that Tasha99. Encouragement!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Buspassrunner]

It’s a life changer - stick with it and keep posting on here 👌🏽

[Granspeed Graduate]

Not your age - mine’s the same. But you do need to run slowly while your body gets the whole idea sorted out. Japanese slow running (see YouTube video for the technique ) is ideal. Slow, slow, slow. Be sure to take your rest days and drink lots of water, especially on rest days. Stick with it. I started in January and am now up to an hour. But the early weeks do take perseverance. 👍😊🐢

[Granspeed Graduate]

And another thing: there’s a great welcome post from IannodaTruffe in the pinned posts. Be sure to read it & follow the links for more when you want them. It’s full of wisdom - and good hints!’ 👍😎

[Dalmorangie Graduate]

Doing C25K at 78.... huge respect to you, I found it a challenge at 50! Well done you 👏👏👏

[Buspassrunner in reply to Dalmorangie]

Yesterday a hare was running ahead of me. It won! No jokes about tortoises pl!

[CookieM Graduate]

I find if my breathing is off, then I am going too fast. We're not talking miles too fast, just a tiny bit faster than my body can cope with at that time on that day (and that will differ from run to run).

Some people time their breathing in and out with their footfall (choosing a number such as every 4 steps). I find that doesn't work for me, but if I concentrate on my breathing (making sure I am breathing out fully before breathing in again) it somehow makes it easier.

You cannot run too slowly (but you can run too fast!) 🐌

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on pacing....,.......if you cannot speak aloud clear ungasping sentences as you run, then you are going too fast for your current state of fitness..........slow down, what's the hurry?

Enjoy your journey.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Age, nope... I had the same issues. Slow running is the key... that’ll build the fitness and aerobic capacity up nicely.