When I was younger (before high school) I use to run ALL the time. It just came so naturally to me, that I kind of took it for granted. Now that I'm over weight and out of shape, I want to run so badly like I use to.

So, today I started to try to train myself into running regularly again by doing the run 1 minute, walk 4 minutes method. Pardon my language, but it kicked my ***! I'm thinking that this is probably a good thing for my weight loss, but here's my problem: after running, it feels like it's kind of hard to breath and it feels like my trachea (I think?) gets tight and sore. It goes away after a while, but it's very frustrating.

Is this normal for someone who's out of shape? Or is it possibly something more serious? I've considered that it might be exercise endued asthma, but it never seems to get THAT bad. If it's just normal, is there anything I can do to work past it? Or is it just something that'll go away eventually as I get more in shape?

Also, if anyone has any tip on trying to get back into running, for me, feel free to share!

Could be exercise induced asthma (I have asthma, exercise and allergy induced). That would happen to me when I first started running again. Maybe go to the doc. Could just be from being out of shape. I could barely run 1 min 5 weeks ago now I can run about 40 - 45 mins no stopping. It is so terrible at first but endurance builds fast. BUT I would call the doc and maybe just ask, sometimes there's a nurse practitioner available to answer questions.

I'll be sure to bring it up at my next doctor's appointment.

I don't want to tell you not to worry about it, but "I" would overlook it, and take it as an out of shape thing. That happened to me when I worked out too hard but it went away. I was also a runner in high school and have recently started working out again.

I would watch and see if it doesn't improve as you get more fit. If it doesn't get any better than I would go see your doc.

Have you thought about doing the Couch to 5K plan?

I would say its probably just from being unfit, but theres nothing wrong with being careful and going to see your doctor about it if it bothers you

I'm with everyone else. You may be out of shape, but get it checked out. Also, are you trying to run too fast?

I experienced a similar thing with my throat/neck area when I tried to do Couch-2-5k, and I think it was just from being out of shape. I could not complete the first, "easy" stage, and I felt like I was going to die if I tried to push myself through it. I stopped running and did other forms of exercise for several months. The next time I tried running I was in better shape cardiovascularly and was surprised to find I could do a mile without stopping. I still get discomfort in that area if I over-exert myself though.

Well, it's good to hear that I'm not the only one who has experienced it.

I can't say I've ever heard of the Couch to 5K plan. Is there a link or anything that I can look at?

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

this is the plan I'm starting today. (scroll all the way down) I've done it before, and it worked for this NON-runner.

Thanks for the link.

I sometimes get the same thing, and it's usually from running too fast, too quickly. Even after running for months, sometimes I would step on the treadmill, warm up for 5 min and begin running and that tightness would start. I realized I was just running too fast right away, and as soon as I slowed down and concentrated on my breathing it would go away.

So yeah, I would just focus on your breathing at first, and slow things down.

~BreathingSpace~