Very tight chest after running

[Purplefran]

I did my first ever run today and it was horrible! After the first 60 seconds of running my chest was very tight and it was quite pianful. I only managed to do a brisk walk for the rest of the 30 mins, but I guess its better then nothing. Even now an hour or so later after running, I am very wheezy and have been coughing a lot. Is this just because I am very unfit and need to take it slower or should I go see the doc? I am overweight (im about 12.5 stone and 5ft4) and it has been a while since ive done any regular exercise, but I wasnt expecting to be in quite so much pain!

[Heidi5]

Can you describe the tightness a bit more ? Was it made worse with the breathing ? I think if your embarking on a new fitness regime, it's always best to see your gp, especially if you're getting discomfort in the chest. Hopefully it's nothing, but you should make sure it's nothing more serious. Well done for getting out there and starting the programme, that's the hardest part !!

[Heidi5]

Can you describe the tightness a bit more ? Was it made worse with the breathing ? I think if your embarking on a new fitness regime, it's always best to see your gp, especially if you're getting discomfort in the chest. Hopefully it's nothing, but you should make sure it's nothing more serious. Well done for getting out there and starting the programme, that's the hardest part !!

[boudicca Graduate]

Sounds like it could be exercise induced asthma - see your doctor as you may need to carry a ventolin inhaler, especially as it will get worse with the weather (cold air hitting your lungs = not good). When you see your doctor make sure he/she knows that the wheeziness isn't there all the time, otherwise they'll be thinking chest infection.

At your weight and with a lack of regular exercise you may well not realise that you are borderline asthmatic - me too, same height and a couple of pounds heavier. It was only as an adult that I realised that much of my difficulty with sports as a child (apart from simply not liking the cheery hockey stick brigade) was caused by undiagnosed asthma. The good news is that having wheezed my way through W1R1, it has steadily got better through the programme and I only had a slight wheeze last night after W5R2.

[Purplefran]

When I tried to breathe in deeply, it definatly hurt a lot more and was struggling to breathe but I was still a constant crushing feeling in the middle of my breast bone. I was feeling slighty dizzy too, but i guess it was because I wasnt getting enough oxygen to my brian. It still hurts a bit now, especially when I try to breathe in deeply, but its tolerable.

Maybe I should go see the doc to be in the safe side. Im thinking of just doing a brisk 30 min walks for this week and try again with the running again next week.

Thanks for the encouragment tho, I'm glad I actually went out there and did something. it better then sitting on the sofa with my laptop as I am at the moment

[shelleymcb Graduate]

I started c25k on a treadmill & at about week 3 had to go outside due to not being able to get to the gym.

anyways, my chest hurt so much afterwards. running in the cool fresh air was such a shock to the system & it felt like the inside of my windpipe was sore for a few days afterwards when I took deep breaths.

I now run outside all the time but those colder mornings definitely make a difference.

have you considered repeating c25k but with walking & speeding up your walk for the running bits, until your chest feels a bit more comfortable.

also, it couldnt hurt to see the doctor & get the thumbs up before you try to run again.

well done on getting out there. shelley x

[Purplefran]

Hi boudicca - yeah I sound very similar to you in that I had a difficult time with sports as a child. Would make a lot a sense why i get put off so quickly with exersice. I'll go see my doc and see what they say.

[SKessex78]

I get this too when running in cool air. Best to get it checked though