Does it get easier ?

[Jojocoops]

Hi, I have just completed day2 of week1, will I get used to running ? I felt fab afterwards but I seem to be gasping for breath !! Is there a way to regulate my breathing when I run ?? And do I stay on the same run until it gets abit easier or do I keep going ? 🤓

[mooning Graduate]

The short answer is: absolutely, It really does get easier. I found that when I started, and even occasionally now, I struggled with stitches. Regulating my breathing became very important for helping me get through the runs. I found that breathing out in an exaggerated manner (almost as you would into a paper bag) for 3-4 left foot strikes and the same in, helped immensely. It helped regulate the diaphragm and prevent the stitches and shorter breaths that made me breathless over a run. The programme is there to work for you, if you feel you need to repeat a week, do. You need to balance this, however, with trusting your body and having the confidence to try the next run in the programme. Best of luck.

[Jojocoops in reply to mooning]

Thankyou, I noticed if I concentrate on music when running my breathing isnt an issue I think its when I start to think about it and I start thinking I can't do it that I start to struggle 🤓

[simonHumph Graduate]

Yes it does! Take your time though, keeping going for the time is more important than having a race with yourself. I varied the routes I took outdoors, usually on a weekly basis just for some variety. I also ran at night so had to keep to well lit areas

[Jojocoops in reply to simonHumph]

I run in the dark as i'm too self conscious to run in daylight 🤓

[Irish-John Graduate]

Don't know about your breathing but I have not been able to regulate mine I still gasp and pant and suck air - but it certainly is easier now

Basically, I now start feeling the 'pain' at 1.5 miles that I used to feel at one hundred yards. I'm not kidding.

I guess at some point before graduation I had a vision of someday being able to effortlessly bound around with a smile on my face and holding a deep philosophical conversation with a silent partner while breathing as naturally as when sleeping

Ain't gonna happen But - would not be such a sense of achievement every time I finish a run if it did

So - yes, it does get easier. Simpler? - that's a bit more complicated

Before you think of giving up though - read my earlier posts and those of other like me and see the absolute honesty when I say 'If I could graduate - so can you'

I hope you stay and keep running with us - we have a lot of fun around here. We might run on our own, but we are never alone

[Jojocoops in reply to Irish-John]

I'm not beat yet, i'll keep at it 🤓 🏃🏻‍♀️

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Jojocoops]

That is the spirit that marks the graduates from the non.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

It is tough - part of running is training your lungs, heart and muscles to cope - and it does improve.

First rule is always to SLOW DOWN if you are struggling. Just keep plugging away - you'll get there!

[Jojocoops in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thankyou 🤓