Lungs hurt when running outside

hungryhobbit1

I tried to run outside again today. This is a periodic thing for me, because I can't understand why it seems to be so impossible.

I keep blaming it on being out of shape, but it just doesn't make sense. I can run on an elliptical for an hour without stopping or slowing down now. I can run on a treadmill without my lungs screaming (but not for long because my balance sucks.) I can do an hour of zumba or step or whatever and be just fine.

But try to run two laps around my gym today during a fitness class and I'm dying, lungs screaming, wheezing and coughing after the first one, and coughing my way through the rest of the class. I remembered that taking it slow made it worse last time, so this time I tried to outrun my lungs by sprinting fast enough to get my laps in before the wheezing hit. (Last time I was in shape I used to sprint four laps around my old gym no problem, but that was inside.) I ran into a clump of people, slowed down, and it was all over.

What am I doing wrong? I feel like I need some kind of remedial lesson in how to breathe while running. I have never been a runner because of this, (and gait issues, but that's another topic) and it would be so much easier to be able to get my cardio in this way.

arc918

Slow down! Dreadmill should help the cause a bit, elliptical doesn't prepare you for the pounding.

Go outside and find an easy pace that you can hold.

Good luck!