Advice for running/jogging

[smithac96]

I have started a 5k training plan that does jogging/walking intervals and I do it with my jogging stroller. I do fine with the fast walking but as soon as I start jogging I cant breath. My heart rate starts going weird and I feel the constant need for a deep breath. When I start walking again it gone back to normal. What can I do?

[SunsetRunner]

Stay at it - at first it's difficult, then it gets better, then it gets easy ...

[williamhj]

As mentioned above, stay with it.  Slow your jog down a bit until you can do the time/distance required.  Since you said you're following a plan, just repeat the week again the following week to build up your stamina.  Did you talk to your doctor before beginning the plan?  If not, it could be a good idea.  Your difficulty could just be a sign of needing to get in shape, but it could be a sign of something else as well.  

[smithac96]

@williamhj I did not talk to my Dr. before starting as I workout frequently, this is just my first running plan. I do circuits, weight training, and yoga. The breathing problem only happens when im running. Not during my cardio circuits even.

[Raviv]

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@smithac96 wrote:
I do fine with the fast walking but as soon as I start jogging I cant breath. My heart rate starts going weird and I feel the constant need for a deep breath. When I start walking again it gone back to normal. What can I do?

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This was exactly me a week ago.

I got some amazing advice from some more experienced runners, and it has helped more than you could imagine.

I kept trying to power through which, as you know, is not going to happen.  It seriously feels like someone has a strap around your lungs and you will never take a full breath again.  And then you walk and it's gone pretty quickly.

What they told me was to slow down.  I protested that I was already walking like a snail through peanut butter, but they told me to run even slower.  I didn't believe them, but since they were all saying the same thing, I gave it a try.  It worked!

I went from being able to run for a minute, maybe a minute and a quarter, to being able to run for 4-5 minutes at a stretch.  It was a great feeling!  And I could feel the difference because I would stop running and start walking again due to my legs being exhausted, not because I couldn't breathe.  And my legs will get stronger as I go along, so that's okay with me.

Next time you're out, give it a shot.  Try running at a pace that is not much above your walking speed (seriously, it should feel incredibly slow) and see how long you can keep it up.  I bet you'll surprise yourself.

Then, as the strength builds up in your legs, you'll be able to go even further, as well as increasing your speed.

[Wanch]

I can tell you that when I first started running a little over 5 years ago I had the exact same feeling as you and I wasn't pushing a stroller!   I'm happy to say today that I'm able to pace myself and am able to transition into and back out  of  that challenging "zone" where I can completely lose my breath.  Remeber this formula.... consistency/time = success....  when starting out I think it's more important to be consistent than fast and always work at a level  just a bit above what feels completely comfortable.   Over time you'll discover an ability to control pace and heart rate as you become more fit.  Hang in there and keep moving!