Running Problem...
 

OK I'm not sure how many of you run, but I just started last week. I started at 1/2 mile and ran Wed, Thurs, and today. I felt fine, although a little winded, on Wednesday and Thursday, but tonight when I ran it, I felt like the inside of my chest and throat were on fire. I walked a mile afterwards to try to calm it down, and it didn't help any, even though I was drinking water while I walked.

Now, I have all kinds of phlegm and am coughing a lot, and when I cough, the inside of my chest burns. Is this from running or am I getting sick? I NEVER want to feel that again. Just wondering if any of you have ever experienced that awful feeling.

Sounds like your coming down with a nasty cold. I was running pretty regularly last year and didn't have those symptoms....until I caught a cold.

Sarah

It's really common. You need to keep it up but just take it slow at first and work your way up. Try doing wind sprints (when you alternate walking & running/sprinting) and see if that helps. You'll still get a fab workout. Much of it probably has to do with your smoking past and your lungs and throat need some conditioning. I wouldn't rule out coming down with something either, though. Are you running inside or outside?

I think it sounds like a bit of both, you might be coming down with something so def take it easy but also go slow with the running.

I'm relatively new runner but i ran my first 8k in Oct and now am training for a 10k in April. And I finally got it, to take it slow. I had been trying to keep up with my runner friends and ended up crashing. Def do the sprints to build endurance-run min, walk a min, run a min, etc; move up to run 2 min, walk a min, some days take long slow runs, some days go shorter distances but push yourself. Just remember to go at Weezle's pace or you have no only lung issues but injury issues.

Thanks girls. I think I was just used to having someone to run next to, and last night I ran by myself so I may have pushed myself harder than I should have and just didn't notice it. I am running inside for now, and I think tonight I'm going to start alternating running and walking. I just have to be ready by spring time!!!

To weezle. How is your no-smoking campaign going? I am a swimmer and runner - and a sometimes-smoker who must quit for good. I have been under some stress lately and use that as an excuse, especially when my sister is in town and we go out. I have gone 3 years without cigs a while back - so I know I can do it. Just need to motivate and stick with it!
SBG

Well, Molly thinks she's figured out why I was in so much pain. It was the only time I ran the 1/2 mile by myself, and so I didn't have an experienced runner to match pace. She thinks I nearly sprinted the entire 1/2 mile. That would do it, I think.

I'm up to 3/4 mile now! My problem is that I constantly want to push myself harder and harder, which is good if I'm going for speed, but I'm going for distance, so I need to make myself start at the pace I'm going to finish at.

As for no smoking, I'm still good! Even as stressed out as I've been at work lately, I'm still good. It's not near as hard as I had it in my mind that it would be. There's no way I'd be able to run and smoke, and I have to be ready to run long distances this summer. Good luck to the other quitters!

I have a simular problem with exercise that increases my respiratory rate. Although I don't have asthma a Dr. told me it could be Exercise induced asthma. Just a thought =-)