Jogging

I too feel the same way about running. But i just started this Couch to 5k program. And although i am on Day 1 of it, it actually isn't that bad. I actually enjoyed it. The only thing is that it is a 9week program and it's ver easy to follow. I downloaded the app on my iTouch and I love it. You should check it out.

As far as the breathing, i don't know since i just started training to run. But good luck and I'm sure you'll do fine.

P.S. I am also training for a 5k in July and i hope this app helps me too.
:happy:

I also just started jogging in an effort to prepare for a 5k. I also am not a fan of running. I find that the more I do it the easier it gets. I chew gum while I run and that seems to help with my breathing and endurance but don't choke! I also tend to sound like a woman in labor when I breathe. I think you will figure out your own rhythm and what is best for you. Just get up and go! I always do a warm up and cool down and make sure you stretch a lot because my legs were super sore the first few days. Good luck with your 5k mine is may 7th how about yours?

The breathing comes with cardio fitness. I struggled with it a lot to start with, but the more I run, the stronger my lungs become. I find running the hardest sport, breath-wise.
How fast are you going? You need to start off a lot slower than feel right.

I also just started jogging in an effort to prepare for a 5k. I also am not a fan of running. I find that the more I do it the easier it gets. I chew gum while I run and that seems to help with my breathing and endurance but don't choke! I also tend to sound like a woman in labor when I breathe. I think you will figure out your own rhythm and what is best for you. Just get up and go! I always do a warm up and cool down and make sure you stretch a lot because my legs were super sore the first few days. Good luck with your 5k mine is may 7th how about yours?

The gum is a lifesaver. I have never been a runner and have been training 8 weeks for a 10k the gum truly does help keep your breathing steady. Start slow so you do not get discouraged.

Your breathing will get better the more workout you do when running or jogging. It does take time, but when you do find short of breath slow down and to catch your breath back. In time your breathing techniques will get better.

When I started off I would be so out of breath that it was embarrassing. By building up the pace gradually it became better. When I feel short of breath then I would slow down.

My advise don't rush, don't have high expectations. Make most of each session and up your pace once you are comfortable to do so. As you progress your breathing will become more controlled. :happy:

Good luck with your race.

I love running, so I highly encourage you to stick with it. The stamina will come! Just listen to your body: run when you can, if you start to get short of breathe, slow your pace. Take walk breaks if you need to - and then run some more.

I am actually terrified of running because I look so strange doing it, but a coworker who loves running told me today that it is so different from walking because, on a good run, you actually spend more time in the air than on the ground. He said that running is more buoyant and euphoric than walking. So that made it sound really interesting. But I have to be honest, I have no idea how to run. I can speed walk like no-body's business, but picking myself up to run just...I don't know, it's tough. Do you runners have any tips on that aspect?

I started Couch to 5k in late December and finished in late February. Go slow, take frequent walk breaks, and the breathing will follow.

I huffed and puffed like the Big Bad Wolf when I first started. My lung function is soooooooooo much better now! I've stopped snoring, and I can inflate a balloon like it's nothing. Can't wait to blow out candles on my birthday cake this year.

I'm working my way up to 10k now. I've done a few 5k races, have another on Wednesday, and I'm doing a 5 mile race next Saturday. And I never, ever was a runner before.

A lot of people have had success with couch to 5k or couch to 10 k, including me!

Breathing was initially a problem for me when I first started working on fitness. I would walk .5 mile to warm up and then do strength training. I couldn't get myself to take full breaths, even when going slow. I also found my feet and ankles hurting after short distances. Then I discovered the elliptical machine! The breathing got better with practice. The ankle and calf pain didn't go away until I found the elliptical machine. I recommend the elliptical to any of my larger brothers and sisters out there. Often the impact on the calves and ankles will discourage us from doing cardio, but once I got used to the elliptical I can do it for almost an hour. I'm now to the point I'm averaging 14.5 minute miles (down from 20 minutes when I first started 4.5 months ago). I have recently taken up jogging the parking deck at work. It is 1.4 miles to go all the way down and back up. I find the decline on the way down is the hardest on my joints. I walk the decline part, then jog the flat part on the way down and jog the flat part and walk the incline on the way up. I'm hoping to get to jogging the whole thing within a few weeks, but there's no rush, I'm only competing with myself. Good luck!!

I HATE Couch to 5K ... and you can see from below that I have had some success with running. Here is what I recommend to people... "common sense running"

Start out walking 2-3 miles comfortably. Add 30 secs running with 4 minutes of walking - then 3 minutes - then 2 minutes - then increase the running durations

Yep. What she said.

I loved the C25K program.

I started running in August 2010 at the age of 42. I literally had never run in my life. I was the one who would refuse to run the one mile test in high school...I walked it.

I have run two 5Ks and have one tomorrow. I have my first 10k next month.

For breathing, I struggled at first.

I learned to breathe out for three steps and in for two steps. That keeps side stitches at bay too. I am also a loud breather and thought I was the only one until I ran my first 5k and everyone is loud in their breathing. I think was I was trying to not be so noisy so that hindered my breathing and now I don't care who can hear me.