Breathing

[Sandypretty]

I did couch to 5K last year and then did the race for life, as soon as I had done this I stopped running as I found it difficult. But have now started again, today doing, run 2 of week 2, I am really struggling controlling my breathing, and find it really hard taking longer breaths on the in breath. Any suggestions anyone please as I would really like to continue this time

Thankyou in advance

[Run123456 Graduate]

Have you checked you are well? Colds, running in cold air can all make you struggle with slow inhalation’s. Are you calm about what you are doing or does it give you the fear?

Hopefully this is just a little bump in the road you will get through. Or someone else will pop up and be able to give better advice. 🙂

[Sandypretty in reply to Run123456]

Thankyou, don’t think I have cold or anything, just unhealthy and I might be carrying a ”little “ extra weight

[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 breathing.

Basically, if you cannot breathe you are going too fast for your current fitness level. You should be able to speak aloud clear ungasping sentences as you run.

Enjoy your journey.

[Candy46]

Well done on starting again. Initially when I started I couldn’t get the hang of the breathing thing....then I worked out I needed to slow down (all advice/links from IannodaTruffe well worth a read) Also I looked up Japanese slow running/jogging which a few people have mentioned on here and I found that really helpful. I am in the middle of w6 and am managing much better with my breathing. Cx

[Runningmummyy Graduate]

I breathe in, in, oooouut in time with my feet, so in in is two steps right left and then oooout 2 steps too. So if you are going slowly you get nice long breaths and when you go faster your breath also gets faster. Works for me. My dad always told me ‘snip snap snora’ same principle, don’t know why the phrase but might work for you

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Are you running too fast or maybe just over thinking your breathing. For me, the bit in the plan when I was told how to breathe was the one bit that didn’t work. As soon as I think of breathing I struggle, ignore it and concentrate on running, breathing happens normally. You may be the same,

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Me too, GTB! When I try to breathe *properly* it all goes to pot. I have to forget all about it and concentrate on slowing right down when my breathing gets caught.

Sandy, the good news is that as I got fitter, the breathing got easier. I feel now that I can take much deeper breaths. It's like my legs were readier to run than my lungs were at first. Slow down until they are ready ☺️

[Sandypretty in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

I feel very much the same

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Sandypretty]

Going slow is definitely the way to go then 😊🐌🐌🐌

[Sandypretty in reply to Grannyhugs]

Definitely worst when I think about it