Advice on breathing please

[August122]

I have just finished W2 and am having difficulties with breathing. I don’t seem to be able to breath through my nose without feeling panicky and I tend to breath more into my lungs and just can’t seem to find a rhythm. I am hoping this is a common beginners issue but have to say I am anxious about W3. Any advice would be much appreciated 😊

[mrrun Graduate]

We’ve all been there! Simply breathe! 😀 Don’t think about it, nose or mouth, for as long as you take oxygen into your system. I tried, through discipline, to breathe through my nose and then thought, hang on, am l training for the Olympics here? If you watch a race on tv, you will see the best runners in the world breathing the way they find the most beneficial for them, mouth or nose. Or to simplify things, copy children! Do they focus on their breathing? Nope, they run around having fun, and fun is the key part of what we all do here. You’re doing alright, get that week 3! 👍

[August122 Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Thank you, seems like maybe I’m overthinking it! I work with children and yes they definitely run whilst laughing and shouting at each other. I will keep this in mind for W3 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

As above, I can't breathe through my nose for long while running without getting breathless. Take deep breaths if you can but as mrrun says, watch children, breathe how feels most comfortable

[Naturesweapon Graduate]

Hello August122 , well done for finishing week 2, here is your🏆 fantastic work 😀 When I did week 2, I was struggling and getting really out of breath. In my case, it was that I had not realised that all I was meant to do was a very slow jog 🐌🐌🐌 I was simply trying to go too fast. Once I understood that I had to go incredibly slow, it became much more doable. In my case it made the difference between being able to do C25K or not. I think breathing in for 4 steps and out for 4 steps (like the app recommends) kind of works for me although sometimes I have to go down to 3 steps only. There is a video in health unlocked where they explain about the slow running technique. All the best for week 3 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 keep us posted 😊

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Some good advice here… if you overthink it or run too fast, that panicky feeling sets in.. finding your own pace and rhythm is more important at this stage.. well done on getting the first 2 weeks under your belt! Great progress August122 ⭐️

[BrookieRookie]

Pleased don’t worry too much about your breathing. I have recently completed C25K and still can’t breathe in only through my nose. It seems works for some runners but not all. Do what feels right for you.

Good luck.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi August122 , as others have said, just breathe in a way that comes naturally to you and ignore all the waffle about nose breathing.

Have you read the programme guide btw? It's here, with lots of useful info: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Trust the programme, believe in yourself and enjoy C25K!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

The advice is all here in the replies..

Do it YOUR way... we had this post up a while back... and that was the thing that came through... it is your run... just breathe x

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I came to running having been a swimmer, and swimmers do not breathe through their noses, most wear a nose clip to stop the water going up their noses!

My breathing while running is still a bit weird, I tend to gulp air in quickly, then blow it out slowly, just as I did in the pool...probably not ideal but it's my way and it seems I'm stuck with it.

You have enough to think about while learning to run, your body will get what you need if you just let it.

[Daith]

I echo all of the comments given thus far. Just do YOU and find YOUR own body rhythm, one that is comfortable - love from one very noisy, open mouthed breather 😂

Happy Running ❤️