Tips needed on breathing

[WobblesEnsemble]

Just completed week 2 for the second time, am still struggling to get enough breath and by run 4 & 5 I had to stop before end of 90sec yesterday. Have started with friends and they are not struggling with it. I don't smoke, am active, am a bit overweight. Why isn't it getting better? Any suggestions please?

[Mands50 Graduate]

An experienced runner told me to sing nursery rhymes as I ran. This helped with breathing and keeping a steady pace. It sounds a bit weird but really worked, I sang out loud when no one was around and very very quietly when passing people. I probably looked mad but it really helped my breathing as I ran. Also make sure you’re not running too fast at this stage. It’s about completing the run not about how fast you get to the end. Hope your breathing issue improves and don’t give up, you can do this 💪x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and is full of tips.

The breathing issue is basically one of pace..........if you cannot speak clear, ungasping sentences as you run, then you are going too fast for your current fitness levels.

You need to run at your pace, not that of your friends.......ask them to slow down. It is one reason why I believe that we are all better off doing C25k on our own and not in a group.

Enjoy your journey.

[WobblesEnsemble in reply to IannodaTruffe]

To be honest I think any slower and it would be called standing

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to WobblesEnsemble]

If both feet are off the ground on every stride then you are running, regardless of speed.

[Roxdog Graduate]

I would agree with Iannoda. Running with people puts the pressure on and everyone needs to run at their own slow pace, which is different for everyone.

On the few occasions I've run with a friend, who runs marathons 😂 I have set off too fast and hated it. Even now I've graduated I'm wary. I'm running with him tomorrow but I just tell him to do his own thing and I will go slowly. We're on a running track so we won't lose one another!

If you're running with other people just stay in your own zone of comfort, otherwise you could get discouraged.

Good luck

[Alast]

I'm a lone runner by choice (I have got friends, honestly!) because I know that if I was running with someone else I would put myself under too much psychological pressure. I also struggled with the breathing thing too at an earlier stage, because (like most things), I was over-thinking it. Now I've just slowed my pace right down and I'm getting on a lot better. I'd say try running on your own and do it as slowly as possible, speed will come later, at this stage it is not important.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi WobblesEnsemble , well done on getting so far, you are doing well....but I agree with IannodaTruffe , running with friends whilst doing C25k isn’t always ideal because, as he says, they’re not running at your pace otherwise you wouldn’t be short of breath...don’t let this dishearten you though because we all have to find our comfortable pace when we’re on the programme so we can complete each run. Breathing should be deep and steady not short and sharp so you def need to slow down, get comfy and stay there 😉