Why is breathing when running so hard?!

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Obviously I can breathe when I run otherwise I would just end up in a heap on the floor.

BUT

I puff and pant as I run.  I know I am doing it.  I struggle with getting my breath to be natural and genuinely find this element of running hard.  I’m not sure I’ve yet had a run where I thought I wouldn’t finish because of my legs but definitely have from the breathing or simply not being able to catch my breath.

So something I need to work on and so this week I went for a 4 mile run with the hubby and tried to listen to his advice and concentrate on my breathing.  It was cold, and dark but was a comfortable run and almost at my usual pace so I was pleased.

I then ran to and from the gym for my pilates class and it’s only half a mile and yet on the way there it didn’t feel comfortable at all.  On the way home it did but still not as comfortable as the 4 mile run.  It didn’t make sense to me that 4 miles felt easier than half a mile and even after the half a mile I still looked like a sweaty tomato.  Every time I exercise I go from normal to this guaranteed.

I had intended to do Park Run on Saturday and was going to try and run home too in a bid to get some longer runs in or at least longer than I’ve ever done before.  However, I ended up doing the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k run with my lovely friend Helen.

Now you know when you go on a run or a bike ride and you have a route or road or hill that is your nemesis well the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k run is my nemesis run and route.  Don’t get me wrong I would recommend this event to anyone – it’s local enough, only £17 (or £15 if you are part of an affiliated club) and you get a medal and a goody bag.  The people involved are all lovely and there are photos available after as well.  Despite all this I just find this a tough run.  I’ve done enough 10k’s now and I this one just seems to get me every time.  It is three laps and I dislike laps with a passion.  It is what they describe as undulating.  They needn’t describe it as I feel it as I run every single lap.

After my 4 mile run I had high hopes for the 10k and in my head I wanted one of two things – either to complete the run with no walking or to get a finish time of sub 1 hour.  After the first lap I remembered that this is not my favourite run, as per usual I went off way to quick and my breathing was shot to bits.  My only goal became to finish it.  It was raining and windy and I was dressed in full length running leggings and a long sleeved running top but it was not cold at all so I was pretty hot – got what to wear completely wrong!  This was how the run made me feel 🙁

My poor friend Helen was super supportive as always and ran with me through my puffing, panting and moaning.  Here is a pic of us on the final lap and it says it all about how Helen feels when running and how I feel.  We finished after what felt like hours and hours but was actually just over 1 hour and 1 minute.

When I checked my Strava I was surprised to find that it turned out to be a PB for me for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k run and showed that every run I have done there showed an improvement on time.  It also confirmed that I had gone off way too quickly yet again at a pace I cannot maintain!

So I learned two things that I need to work on – my pace and my breathing!

If I am honest after the run I got in the car (did I mention my lovely hubby turned up in time to see me on my final lap after an evening shift of overtime) and I was pretty disappointed with myself but after some lovely words from my hubby and Helen I realised I am improving all the time and my progress compared to this time last year is huge and I am pleased with that and will carry on!  And I lost half a pound this week too!