Question from a beginner jogger

[kmorri 1,689]

Hi everyone,

I thought this forum would be the best place for me to ask this question. I've been trying to jog and need some advice regarding breathing. I currently walk a lot....in fact I average about 10 miles a day....I've recently been trying to add a little jogging to my routine and can only jog for a very very short distance before I'm out of breath.....I will be 57 years old in December and I've never jogged in my life but would like to start, but I don't really know what to do to work on my breathing......is there something I can do that will help? What I've been doing is each day I just try to jog a little bit further but so far I'm huffing and puffing at about the same distance.....I'm not seeing any progress yet.....will it just take more time?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[NewNewMe 277]

I would highly suggest using the C25K app. I started in January and have run two 5k events since. I run 3 times a week now and really feel it has made a difference in my weight loss. I love the freedom of running for exercise. When jogging try to breath in through you nose and out your mouth.

[sc101071 398]

Google couch to 5k

[swimbikerun 1,046]

Try googling for couch to 5K runs.

[kmorri 1,689]

Thanks guys, I've looked at the couch to 5k plan and it's basically what I'm trying to do.....but I guess my question is more about is it normal that what keeps me from jogging further is I give out of breath, rather than my legs being tired?.....I feel like I could go further if I could just breathe better.....I'm going to keep trying...I'm doing 4 mile walks with my granddaughter who is great at cheering me on when we do the short jogging parts....so maybe the breathing will just get a little easier as I keep trying???

[jess9395 5,449]

Yes!!!! Totally normal!!!! I started couch to 5k 2 1/2 years ago and have built my way up to two marathons. It's ALWAYS the breathing/cardio that gives out first on me even now. The ONLY time my legs ever gave me problems first was my second full marathon at about mile 23.

Couch to 5k will help you build lung/cardiovascular fitness as well as building your legs. Keep at it.

[emme.vee 142]

I would suggest looking up YouTube videos. There seems to be a video for just about anything. Good luck. It could also be how you are running that's causing the problem. Like your strides and how you're moving your arms.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[kmorri 1,689]

Yes!!!! Totally normal!!!! I started couch to 5k 2 1/2 years ago and have built my way up to two marathons. It's ALWAYS the breathing/cardio that gives out first on me even now. The ONLY time my legs ever gave me problems first was my second full marathon at about mile 23.

Couch to 5k will help you build lung/cardiovascular fitness as well as building your legs. Keep at it.

Thank you so much! That's what I was looking for just confirmation that what I was experiencing was normal....

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Road Runners Clubs offer beginner (and other) classes. It's fun in a weekly group and will give you an "assignment" for the non-class days until the next meeting. Long ago I signed up. As I recall, week #1 alternated walking and running for one minute. The second week was alternating 2 minutes of running with one walking. Each session began with proper warm-up. People in the class came in all shapes and sizes. The environment was wonderfully supportive and non-judgmental. The leader/teacher answered all questions. Google 'Road Runners Club of America' if you don't know your nearest club.

You can also browse the articles at sparkpeople.com. I've seen pieces on running for beginners and breathing during exercise and everything else you can think of. Livestrong.com, too.

I'm not discounting the Couch program. I'm aware of it and expect that it's good quality, but that's the extent.

You'll be great. You have the desire.

Disclaimer: I am not a runner. That flirtation was eons ago.

Tidbit: I bought my first running shoes at Frank Shorter's store in Boulder. I put them on back at my friend's house and went out on my own to jiggle on the bike paths very close by. That first, unschooled attempt at altitude of one mile prompted my friend to say from two rooms away that she could hear me huffing and puffing.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Good luck and enjoy the process. I found using an elliptical first worked well to learn how to breath better. Less bounce and could keep track of my speed and resistance. Then I started C25K.

To get the 5K done I used this Couch to 5K program. (http://www.coolrunni...2_3/index.shtml)

I was getting distracted and not paying attention to the timing then I found this cool little site c25kplaylists.com. The music is OK, but the nice thing is the voice prompts to remind me to walk or run. I can concentrate on form and not look at my watch. I just saved the 30 minute song as an MP3 file and put it on my iPod.

Speaking of form - http://www.jeffgallo...m/learn/videos/ Jeff has some great tips. Most important take away, short stride, shuffle, feet close to ground to prevent injuries. When I last tried to start running, I didn't do this and ended up hurting myself and was not able to walk for nearly a week. I used his tips and it has lead to pain free running.

[jess9395 5,449]

Yes!!!! Totally normal!!!! I started couch to 5k 2 1/2 years ago and have built my way up to two marathons. It's ALWAYS the breathing/cardio that gives out first on me even now. The ONLY time my legs ever gave me problems first was my second full marathon at about mile 23.

Couch to 5k will help you build lung/cardiovascular fitness as well as building your legs. Keep at it.

Thank you so much! That's what I was looking for just confirmation that what I was experiencing was normal....

Also realize that it's not really breathing per se... It's cardiovascular fitness. We breathe hard because our heart is working overtime beating fast and we breathe hard to keep the blood oxygenated. The more in shape the Heart muscle gets the easier you will breathe because you don't have to huff and puff to oxygenate the blood.

And if you've been waking that much your legs are in much better shape right now that your heart!

[kmorri 1,689]

Also realize that it's not really breathing per se... It's cardiovascular fitness. We breathe hard because our heart is working overtime beating fast and we breathe hard to keep the blood oxygenated. The more in shape the Heart muscle gets the easier you will breathe because you don't have to huff and puff to oxygenate the blood.

And if you've been waking that much your legs are in much better shape right now that your heart!

Thanks so much for the advice! But now I think I may have runners knee.....and it makes me soooo mad! I'm having pain on the inside of both knees. I went yesterday to a special foot orthotic store and got some really good inserts for my shoes with good arch support....but I'm not sure if I should keep jogging or give my knees a rest until the pain goes away. I feel like if I stop now I'll just have to start all over. The pain is not bad just sort of a dull ache..I'm wondering if some kind of knee support would help...dang it!!! I was doing good too!!