Week 3 day 2 and breathing

[Guest Lori]

I made it to week 3. I am still having a hard time with my breathing. I actually like to jog now and have worked myself through the soreness but after doing week 1 twice and week 2 about 3 times I didn't think I could do week 3 but I did it and I am so happy!! My problem is that I have a hard time breathing while jogging. Aby suggestions on how to practice breathing, how to improve lung capacity so I don't feel like I am going to die after running the 3 minutes? Thanks

[farmgirl]

Congrats on your progress!  Getting the hang of taking deep, controlled breaths has taken a lot of practice and concentration for me.  Having recently quit smoking I am finding it difficult to increase my lung function especially while I run, but here's what I've been advised and this is working very well for me.  While walking/running concentrate on your breathing, this also helps to take your mind off of the fact that your legs are dying (LOL)!  But when walking, I breath in deep for three foot falls, and out for two. As I speed up, I breath in for two, out for one.  Also, be sure that you're breathing from your belly and not your chest.  I've had to make myself stop sucking in my gut (everyone knows it's there anyway) and breath deeply so that my belly moves in and out instead of my chest or shoulders moving.  THIS is what has taken a lot of practice and I have even been doing this when resting in my recliner watching TV or working on my laptop.  Everyone does everything differently and something else may work for you, but this has worked very well for me.  I can feel my lung function increasing and am able to push a little further on the run portions of C25K.  Happy Running