Does anyone else struggle breathing?!? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Does anyone else struggle breathing?!?

bubblebird123 profile image
bubblebird123Graduate
15 Replies

Just curious is it me or is it a thing?

I am just starting week 5. Steady, slow jogging. Yes legs ache, mental battles, good self talk, able to breathe without gasping and probably hold a conversation if needed ......every time they mention breathing or I become conscious of trying to improve this "belly/deep breathingitcall seems so difficult. It feels as if I cannot draw air

I complete the runs and seem to recover ok but this breathing lark is throwing me

I plan to ignore it as I don't think it is causing a problem until I think about it

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bubblebird123 profile image
bubblebird123
Graduate
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15 Replies
MMP175 profile image
MMP175Graduate

Just ignore it and do what comes naturally. I’ve just finished week 9 and ended up ignoring trying to change my breathing

bubblebird123 profile image
bubblebird123Graduate in reply toMMP175

Thank you and .....Congratulations on finishing.....

I will go with that....it doesn't cause me a problem unless I think about it or try the "tips"

iamsuperunfit profile image
iamsuperunfit

I have the same issue. I try to chew gum while running, I don’t know why but it aids in my breathing. Hope it helps!

SquareBear profile image
SquareBearGraduate

Hey Bubble I start wk8 on Wednesday. I was always trying to breath how they say???

I find I’m a mouth breather with shallow breathes. But I’m breathing which is a bonus!! I’m guessing in time it’ll change but I’m doing my 25min runs and letting nature take its course!

Well done and keep going 👍

bubblebird123 profile image
bubblebird123Graduate

I really don't struggle...or feel as if i am struggling ...the minute i listen to them and try the technique it all goes to pot 😁

I am with you...as long as I am breathing....which i hope continues in general 😉 and as I move through the weeks....some anticipatory drwad for the week ahead.....

Well done on the 25 minutes

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

If you read the guide to the plan you will find advice on breathing, which boils down to doing whatever you do naturally...........if it means that you are not going to make the next Olympics, then you may just have to live with that, but at least you will be running.

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Am sure you've seen it already but watch this and see how they talk and jog simultaneously:

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...

Newbie59 profile image
Newbie59Graduate in reply toJohn_W

I hadn't seen this, thanks for posting it

bubblebird123 profile image
bubblebird123Graduate

John_W...thank you... i love this....I found it after a link around w2 and it was a revelation. I am seriously ok with the breathing behaviour until I think about it.

Also has a fab run this morning...W5R2...😀

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Hi bubblebird123 ...I remember getting to about week 7 and suddenly realising my breathing had improved without me even noticing so hopefully this will happen to you...for the time being though, just carry on as you are, try ignoring it and when breathing is mentioned just think about something else..or play a game in your mind 😉

Paraje profile image
ParajeGraduate

I'm the same, as soon as I start to do it consciously I feel like I'm getting more breathless. I just don't think about it now, unless I'm really tired and make myself take a few extra deep breaths.

Geographyrocks profile image
GeographyrocksGraduate

I’m with you on this - fine (well alive and breathing) until they make you think about it. Then panic that I’m not doing ‘breathing’ right!

Luvlollyboo profile image
Luvlollyboo

Rather than breathe through my nose, I have mouth gently open for breaths in and out; take a couple big in with each stride and gently blow out over a couple of strides etc. Not breathing in thru nose made a difference for me ....

Greenwich8 profile image
Greenwich8

I also have issues with breathing but what I do instead of focusing on the breathing is I tune into my heartbeat and I realise it’s really fast so I focus on kind of “telling it” to slow down and I find my breathing improves as a result

bubblebird123 profile image
bubblebird123Graduate

Thank you all....I mastered the breathing....sort of 😀. I go with the thinking that I have been breathing for 50 years without any problems....I have stopped thinking about it too much and whenever I do I belt out a couple of lines of the music I am listening to.....seems to sort it whenever Jo mentions it.

Good luck everyone

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