Running out of steam

lavaughan69

I'm on week seven of a running program where you walk/run to 5k. I'm really struggling with chest congestion and fatigue. Is it normal to feel this way? It takes me at least a day and a half to recoup from it where I feel like I'm breathing normal and my energy starts coming back. It feels like a very bad chest cold, lots of heaviness in the chest, a dry cough and just extreme exhaustion.

I know I'm out of shape, and it's my first time running, but I really didn't think it would be this bad. I'm going to make a doctors appointment to get a physical but I was just curious if this is just something normal that you experience with running.

bostonwolf

It's not normal. Best to get it checked out.

hill8570

^^
What he said. You shouldn't be having those symptoms at all, especially after seven weeks.

lavaughan69

today was a shorter run of 3.6k and it was manageable, just a small amount of chest congestion. I never experienced any of these symptoms when I walked, and I always walked at a pace that almost had me running, even doing hills. Maybe it's exercise induced asthma?

ew_david

Are you getting sick? It doesn't sound like the two are related. It's okay to take a break and let yourself heal.

PaytraB

That doesn't sound normal and perhaps a check-up may be needed.

That said, how fast are you running? You could be pushing your body much too hard. Try running slower.

Is your program's goal for distance or time?
If for time, it's unlikely that you'll run the complete 5K within the time by the end of the program. That will take extra training. However, you'll be able to run the time (usually 30 minutes), which is great.
If for distance, don't worry about the time. Slow down enough to be able to run the distance.
For either method, test yourself occasionally throughout your run: can you speak a short sentence out loud without gasping, huffing and puffing your way through the sentence? If not, you're running too fast.

You say you're out of shape. It takes awhile for the body to get its act together and strengthen up. You're doing great by making it to 7 weeks. High five for that! Listen to your body. Most beginners start by running too fast (myself included). A big part of the training is to find your pace.....the one that allows you to complete your program, enjoy running and continue running after your program.

Hang in there!

Chain_Ring

Take a couple days off. Sounds like you're getting sick.

lavaughan69

I'm not running for time, I'm running for distance. Actually I was hoping I'd have the endurance to run (not run walk) a 5K by a race the first week in October, but now I know it's going to be impossible when I feel the way I feel at a walk run pace.

I don't think I'm running too fast, I'm running with a friend and we can converse while running, but I will try slowing down.

eganita

It sounds like a good idea to talk to the doctor. I have asthma (didn't have it when I was younger, but I developed it possibly due to the air quality where I now live), though my case isn't terribly severe. Before taking medication, I'd notice it most during allergy season, and especially when exerting myself during allergy season (some congestion in the chest area mostly, as well as some shortness of breath. I've never had a full-scale asthma attack or anything like that).

(Disclaimer: I am no medical expert!!) Your symptoms sound like they could possibly be in-line with asthma. Between asthma and allergies, I take one seasonal allergy pill, one pill for asthma, and use a preventative inhaler daily, all of which help me A TON. I also have another inhaler to use if/when I have symptoms, but I haven't had to use that in months.

Hope that helps, and best of luck!