Will it ever improve

[oldiebutboldie]

Have been running now for about 14 weeks and managing 15 minutes without stopping but, oh, it's really hard work. My breathing doesn't seem to have improved from day one but I suppose it must have as I was struggling them to do one minute runs and couldn't have managed 15 minutes without stopping then.

[kerryjoy Graduate]

I love the saying "I love running - just not while I'm doing it" Your doing great - keep going and it does improve.

[oldiebutboldie in reply to kerryjoy]

I enjoyed my run today - that's the second time I have said that so maybe things are begining to improve!

[Hidden]

Is it possible that you have asthma?

15minutes of running is a really great achievement, be proud

[oldiebutboldie in reply to Hidden]

Will check this out, thanks.

[Kelh76]

I agree with Kerryjoy. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.... you'll get your stride in due course. I still really struggle with breathing properly - I can't possibly follow Laura's advice for 4 steps / breaths in/out. I just crash along blowing and gasping! At least we're doing it. Once I can run for 30 minutes, I'll worry about the finer details like breathing and speed. Keep up the good work ;o)

[oldiebutboldie in reply to Kelh76]

Thanks, your comment gave me a good laugh!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Are you going slowly enough? So many of us go too fast to start with to be able to complete whatever the prescribed run duration is.

But hats off for keeping going - as 7-of-us implies, might be worth getting checked out to see if there's something with your breathing that needs a bit of help.

[oldiebutboldie in reply to GoogleMe]

I think I am going slow enough - I run at the back of the pack and the rest have to keep coming back for me, lol! Good idea about getting my breathing checked out though, I will do this but it's probably just down to my age.

[Malcy Graduate]

I too found the prescribed method of breathing hopelessly artificial. I just open my mouth, take a gasp and get on with it. I'm sure it means I eat a few flying beasties but hey, it's extra protein. Essentially, whether it's breathing, length of stride or anything else, do it in the way you feel comfortable. Good luck for the rest of the programme!

[oldiebutboldie in reply to Malcy]

Thanks!

[Jodey Graduate]

Dont know if this helps, but when Laura first suggested the correct breathing on one of the weeks, I thought 'your having a laugh love'. I ignored her (sorry Laura) and continued breathing as I needed. I graduated about a month ago and have found that i'm now breathing as Laura directed. I dont know when it happened but I guess it can come in time.

[juicydee Graduate]

I find I can manage to breathe fairly regularly now (unless I'm really pushing myself in which case it all goes out of the window), but I can only do in for 3, out for 3 - if I try 4 I almost pass out as I NEED that oxygen!! Beats of 3 are absolutely fine - unless you have music with FOUR beats to the bar blasting in your ear that you're trying to run in time with (eg on the new podcast that I tried this morning). It can be done but I think you'd need to be an orchestral maestro or a mathematician or something - AAARGHHH!!!

[mair99 Graduate in reply to juicydee]

I too tried the 4 beat count but found that breathing by threes is so much easier. I also agree with what you said about breathing when you step up the Pace... Not much control there for me either!