why do I get out of breath so quickly?

[Trudie2201]

[andystev Graduate]

Running too fast would be a good guess. Slow down a bit.

[sfb350 Graduate]

Agreed - everything I've read says that if you get out of breath you should slow down. Don't worry about your speed, building your stamina is far more important at this stage.

[happierswimming Graduate]

You don't say whether you are breathless during the walking stage or just the running, but either way the answer is slow down and choose a flat route. Use the walk as exercise too and not just recovery so make it as brisk as you can (just short of breaking into a trot) and your run just a little bit faster. That way the walk is building stamina too. Try this faster walk during your daily walking activities so you body grows used to it quickly. Short, fast steps are better than long strides. And do some exercise during rest days : dancing, cycling (flat route) and swimming are all good.

[Nevertoolate Graduate]

Have you just started C25K Trudie? We all got out of breath fast at the beginning. I found the first 2-3 weeks really difficult because of it. You will find that it gets better, don't worry. All of a sudden your stamina improves and it's so much better. I still found the first 5 minutes hard right up to my last run (week9) but used the warm up walk to breathe hard and then work to control my breathing before I started running. It really helped.

Slow down and you'll get there. Good luck.

[greatvalley Graduate]

Don't worry, you are not alone.

I have graduated today and I still get out of breath but you will find that you are eventually able to just keep going and run through it. I struggle all the way to 25 mins and then strangely the last 5 mins don't seem too bad.?!?