What are 4 steps in in breathing tip

[Nannie_Anne]

Week 2 breathing tip

When Laura talks about counting 4 steps does she mean LRLRLRLR or LRLR

[nowster Graduate]

It's four strides, left+right+left+right (or vice versa).

[Nannie_Anne in reply to nowster]

Thanks that's really helpful

[Jell6 Graduate]

My tip... forget about it, just breathe when you need to, it settles eventually.

This new running lark is tough enough, without adding counting into the mix.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

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 and breathing, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Nannie_Anne in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for your kind welcome. I like it here.

[healthy-laughter Graduate]

I'm so glad you asked that. I've been doing LRLRLRLR and finding it quite tricky. 👍

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Deep breath in then purse your lips slightly as you breath out, so you breath out slower, you’ll soon get into a rhythm and find you’ll just keep going. Don’t worry about steps your taking, far too complicated 👍🏃‍♀️

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Ignore the advice about breathing.

It really threw me for sometime.

Just do what comes naturally - after all you have been breathing just fine all your life😁

Eventually you will find a rhythm that works for you and you won't even have to think about it

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Ignore it and breathe how you can. It sorts itself out when you get through 5-8 minute intervals.

[Hidden in reply to Tasha99]

So true! My breathing found a nice steady rhythm all of its own once I found a settled pace.

[Neverhare Graduate]

Yes, I remember that in week 2, it gave me something else to think about, but at the time it was too much too soon. I never really worried about breathing, it just came naturally!

[Pepper86]

As an asthmatic as well as having reduced lung function, I was terrified about trying to breathe whilst running. From reading the tips on here I quickly realised my fears came from trying to run too fast. Biggest tip, slow right down, as the experts say if you can't talk normally whilst you run you are running too fast. I've found that to be the golden rule. The 4 steps breathing I found like many too complicated, plus thinking about my breathing made me feel like I was struggling to breathe. Instead I focus on my music, keep a slow steady pace and if I'm feeling energetic at the end then I can do a sprint finish lol. I have just completed the mile stone that is week 5 run 3, only possible by slow and steady pace, breathing was no issue, I was amazed. Good luck with it, keep up the positive thinking and you'll be fine.

[Nannie_Anne in reply to Pepper86]

Thanks. No danger of my running too fast. Since I run round Mum's house at the moment I know that the number of laps when I run is pretty much the same as when I walk. I reckon I can up the speed later.

[Pepper86 in reply to Nannie_Anne]

Good, you'll be fine!

[Nannie_Anne in reply to Pepper86]

Thanks

[Nannalaine]

Yes also asthmatic and trying to fathom out the breAthing but gave up. Mine has settled at three paces for now