I can't breathe when I run :(

I used to hate running for this same reason, however, i find that if i chew (or just kind of roll it around in my mouth from time to time) some gum while running it keeps my throat lubricated, thereby making it easier to breathe. I also find that if i concentrate on a breathing pattern (two in through the nose (two steps) one long out of the mouth) while i run i'm able to last longer. maybe try those. i was never able to run really, but i'm in week 5 of a 10 week plan and i'm feeling GREAT!! Good luck!

I have a hard time getting enough air when I run, too. It's VERY frustrating. You are not alone!

I also find that if i concentrate on a breathing pattern (two in through the nose (two steps) one long out of the mouth) while i run i'm able to last longer. maybe try those.

Just out of curiosity, why are you limiting your oxygen intake through your nose? I breathe every way I can when I run. But I generally run long distances.

I try to control my breathing, I'm really just starting, and find that this method works best for me. it seems to keep me from hyperventilating. been doing it for years (lol when i used to be an athelete)

I have this problem too. Try timing your breathing with your steps. My husband also suggested to me to breath through my nose as much as possible because it slows your breathing.. sometimes if you feel like you can't breath... you will try harder to breath.. and it just makes things worse

Is the running treadmill or ground? Are you panicking? I panic sometimes. Can you try a sport? Running the bases helps me to judge my progress. I don't like running for the sake of well...running.

Maybe you're going too fast? I used to have this problem as well , but I had very low fitness and tried running fast. When I tried running again, I jogged instead of running and also paid attention to how I'm breathing. Pace yourself and breathe in and out slowly (breathing out of your mouth and in from your nose) while jogging. If you breathe too fast, you will get exhausted and run out of breath. It was hard to do at first, but I got over the need to breathe fast and once you set a pace, you'll be fine.

I have the problem, but I have a congenital heart condition that is really the cause (not likely for most others, but it is frustrating)

I'd suggest seeing your GP and get an EKG and lung capacity test done. Asthma can be exercise-related as well, and may respond to treatment.

I agree, especially re. the asthma which can be exercise or stress induced.

hey there. we all have to start at some point. i couldnt breathe either when i first started to run. your breathing technique will come with time. but you gotta keep plugging away at it. start by taking deep breaths, and not shallow. do i slow count to 4 in, then the same slow count to 4 out. that is for every 4 steps you take you should try to breathe in then out on the next 4 steps. it works for me. i have run 2 vt city marathons doing just that!!

First up, get checked out to make sure you haven't got exercise-induced asthma. Do you wheeze or cough after a workout? Getting an inhaler changed my running life, and after using it for a while I got fit enough to barely need it except when I'm pushing myself hard.

Next, go slower. My breathing is the first to go, way before my legs! I breath in and out for three steps each (left, right, left) and if I need to breathe faster than that I can't keep it up.

Here are my beginners' running tips:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Check out point one:
When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

I would go to your doc and see if you have exercise induced asthma... You might also be suffering from a chest cold... If it feel like tightness and you are gasping for breath or there is a heaviness on your chest it's very likely. You might benefit from an inhaler when you work out, but that's for you and your doc to decide... You can also request a pulmonary function test which will measure your rate of breathing under stress! It's no biggy tons of people have exercise induced asthma ... For now I would suggest getting some evening primrose oil and borage oil these are anti inflammatory and can aid in respiratory health. Eucalyptus oil inhaled also open respiratory pathways. If you have a wet sauna at your gym using that can also help a great deal. Also keep going with your cardio your lungs can be worked like a muscle and build strength to fight off these attacks over time but you should not push it without talking to your doc if you do have asthma it can become serious and you may need a rescue inhaler...

If it's not a medical issue, then as others have said: slow down and breathe through both your nose and mouth to get as much air as possible.

Try to get into a rhythm. When you're starting out in running, often at the beginning of a run you'll feel crappy and out of breath, but push through it and find a nice pace and rhythm that you can maintain. For some people music helps with their rhythm. While music helps the time pass, there is some merit to being able to hear your own breathing as well. Perhaps try both with and without music and see how you feel each way.

Also take shorter strides with faster turnover rather than long bounding strides. Those big strides sap your energy by wasting it on vertical movement and the braking action caused by heel striking and having your feet in contact with the ground for too long. It is generally agreed upon that 180 foot strikes per minute is optimal.

With time and miles, you'll improve and feel more comfortable and be able to go farther and faster. Good luck and have fun!

In thru the mouth out thru the nose. Force yourself to inhale longer, hold for a second and then breathe out. I spent the first 3 weeks of my running program working on my breathing.

My lungs are covered in scar tissue from lung disease very early in life, plus I'm asthmatic, so this is a familiar problem. I've worked out for two years now (spin, Zumba, circuit, weights, walking, and jogging). I can lift for 45 minutes but have never been able to finish even a beginner's kickboxing class. My muscles can take far more exercise than my lungs will allow.

Very frustrating.

If you're sure you're breathing correctly, it's probably time to see a doctor to rule out anything medical... assuming you have medical insurance.

I would see a physician... It could be something cardiogenic OR as simple as exercise induced asthma... if you are exercising a lot and still having trouble breathing you might just want to play it safe. Good luck!

Good morning. First question...What do you mean by "I can't breath"? There is a difference between "I'm pushing hard and having trouble controlling my breathing" and "I'm gasping, my heart is coming out of my chest and I'm going to pass out." If you have any of the following symptoms, you need to see a doctor...your heart skips a beat or "feels weird and week," your vision fades out or goes black, you feel dizzy or like you're going to pass out, you have chest/jaw/arm pain.

Assuming none of those are present and you're just having trouble controlling your breathing, this can be helped by some training and "tricks." I am, by no means, a "runner." Yet, I have to run a 1.5 mile every year for the military and I have recently gotten much better at it. For 10 years, every time I ran this test, I got severe cramps around lap 2 of 6, gasped for breath the entire time and wanted to throw up. Last year, a physical therapist watched me run and said I was staying too tense. She had me try several tricks and they really helped my breathing. First, try to breath out twice as long as you breath in each breath. Second, keep your arms below the level of your heart and wiggle your arms and shoulders to keep loose. Third, (this may have been specially tailored to me since I have great breath control when I sing, but none when I run), whenever I feel tense or lose control of my breathing, I sing a few bars out loud and it kind of resets my diaphragm and calms it down. With these tricks, I breath deeper, run further without feeling like throwing up and have NO MORE CRAMPS!!!

The other trick that helped me was from my doctor. I trained and trained and trained and couldn't get faster. I could run the mile and half without stopping, but it really was a challenge and I was stuck at 16 minutes (only 16 seconds longer and I fail my PT test). He had me stop running the distances and do sprints. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS FROM THE FIRST PARAGRAPH!!! Anyway, I would run as hard and as long as I could (30-90 seconds) at 95% of my effort until I couldn't go any futher. I would then walk until I felt human again and repeat 4-9 times depending on how I felt that day). After doing this 3 times a week for 3-4 weeks, I took over a minute off my time and it was so much easier on me! It was almost like my body said "well, at least she's not running like a crazy woman like in those sprints" and it took 4-5 laps for me to feel really worn. Maybe these tricks will help. Let me know if you have any questions about what I've said. I'm no expert, this is just what helped me. I am an ER PA, though, so take the warning symptoms I mentioned seriously, please. Good luck!