Done it!

[loop2005]

W1r1 completed! How do you all find the time to breathe while trying to jog

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 1 of week 1 and welcome to the forum, if you find breathing difficulties during your running perhaps you are running a little too fast, slow down a little, drink plenty of water before you run, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish to, no running on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, good luck for your running journey with C25K 😊 🏃🏾

[loop2005 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks for the advice, I never took water with me as read before that before was better. I think I might of been trying to go faster than a jog, I was feeling quite anxious about the whole thing as don’t like the idea of being the ‘fat’ lady trying to run.. and people seeing me. Maybe that factored into my breathing? But I will go out again Tuesday and try and do w1r2

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to loop2005]

👍 🏃🏾

[Chrissy700 in reply to loop2005]

I’m a fat lady trying to run 😂 and found week 1 the hardest. But I’m on week 8 now and my breathing is great and I feel great 👍🏻 You’ve got to start somewhere.

[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 minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

If you cannot breathe you are going too fast.........you should be able to hold a conversation as you run, so slow to that pace.......it will get faster as you get fitter.

Enjoy your journey.

[loop2005 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the link and the info, will try and go slower next run

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done for starting and completing your first run 😁👍

That's the hardest bit done !

If you are struggling to breathe then you are running too fast .

Slow it down untill you think it's too slow and then slow it down again .

You need to be able to speak full sentences while running without gasping for breath ! 😁

Enjoy the program ,👍

[loop2005 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks for the info, I am doing it on my own so don’t have anyone to talk too, but I will try and go slower

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to loop2005]

Haha, I did it on my own also, but tried talking to myself 😂

[loop2005 in reply to Instructor57]

I will try that 😬

[Plattszo Graduate in reply to loop2005]

I try singing to the music.... if I can't sing a whole line, it's too fast

[nowster Graduate in reply to Plattszo]

"Proper" singing and running are not compatible. They're different types of breath control.

With running you're probably wanting to go through a full in-out breath cycle every 3-6 seconds.

With singing you're trying to eke out the most from each breath, maintaining an even pressure from the diaphragm, making the breath last upwards of 10 seconds. If I tried doing that while running I'd faint and keel over. (I used to hold my breath when running as a little kid, so I know what that feels like.)

Talking is different -- you can be more breathy. You can get a short sentence out in a couple of seconds, too.

You won't get me singing The Major-General's song from Pirates of Penzance when running.

youtube.com/watch?v=JTSpFks...(Not working as expected?)

[Plattszo Graduate in reply to nowster]

I am not sure I would call my singing whilst running real singing 😂🤣 it's more of a saying the words of the song.... but I take your point 👍

[Plattszo Graduate]

It will come, I promise... the key is to go slow... if you think you are already slow, you can slow up some more... gives time for breathing.

Well done on getting out there!! 👏 Lapping everyone on the couch!! 😊

[Overweightandunfit Graduate]

Well done on completing your first run. As has been said slow down and then slow down some more, the breathing will get easier though. When I first started I was sure my lungs would explode but now although I get out of breath going uphill mostly it is easier.

[Maz1103 Graduate]

I've tried all the counting breaths etc but I really think it's better when I don't overthink it and let my body deal with it. If I feel out of breath I slow down, if I feel ok I speed up!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

You’ll learn to breathe as you go on - try not to think about it too much, just do it! Stay well hydrated all the time, not just on run days. Take it really slowly, you really can’t go too slowly. I run on my own and talk to myself sometimes (though not when anyone can hear me though I suppose you could pretend you’re speaking on the phone!) and I sing along to my music as well when I don’t think anyone can hear me! You must read Iannoda Truffe’s pinned post for newbies which he links in his reply to your post - it really is the essential guide! Enjoy!

[NicR115 Graduate]

I’m also a ‘fat lady’ but I graduated a few weeks ago and are still doing 2-3 runs per week. I’m now at the stage where I no longer have the gremlins in my head that try and make excuses why you shouldn’t go for a run or tell you to stop during the run. Stick with it and the breathing will come naturally, the biggest tip I took from this group was to run REALLY slowly. Just believe in the programme and you will do it. Just think about how much extra weight us ‘fat’ people are carrying and compare it to bags of sugar in a rucksack, it’s pretty amazing. That is one of the reasons why I started c25k, to make that rucksack lighter and it is happening slowly but surely x

[skysue16 Graduate]

Congratulations on your first run - very well done 👍😊