What are some good ways to run without being winded?

You have to work out slowly. Start with what you can, and slowly increase how long you run, and how fast.. Don’t push yourself too hard at first!

I paced myself fairly slowly, and breathed in a rhythm; inhale for four steps, exhale for four steps. That slowing my breathing down a little makes me breathe deeper, which gives me a little more oxygen, which in turn kept that “winded” feeling at bay.

Oh, I just read on your profile that you’re trying to join the air force! Well in that case, they’ll whoop your ass into shape!
I remember running in the pounding rain, and I was so breathless, that I sounded like a near-dead whale. Anyways, Best of luck! Have fun!! =D

@curiouscat Were you in the air force then? Awesome! I really can’t wait, I need to have it whipped into shape haha I am trying to get in shape before basic. Thank you! :)

@tigerlilly2; ummm, no! I’m in the naval reserves. But I just did my Basic Military Training this summer. And wow… I felt SOOO good after! Mentally, and physically. I tried to get into better shape before basic too.. Kind of slacked off. But yes! you should definitely prepare first for it, it’ll make it easier. =D

I think it’s called walking. I’m retired from the Marines. When I went through boot camp, we ran to the puke level. Meaning we ran so hard and fast people puked. When I was in OCS, Quantico in summer, I saw people pass out from heat exhaustion on runs. If you’re trying to get in shape, you need to push yourself. When you finish your run you should be worn out and out of breath, or you’re not really trying.

Jumping into long distance running without building up to it is the surest way to repetitive motion injuries such as shin splints or stress fractures. Your lungs and your legs might not be at the same level of fitness for long distance right now. Start out walking the distances you want to be going. Once you’ve got that going, go the same overall distance, but run some, and walk some. Keep increasing (slowly) the distance you’re running, and soon you’ll be running the whole thing.

Just make sure to listen to your body. If it hurts, stop. If you’re just tired, push yourself. Injuries make it hard to run at all.

There are lots of running programs out there that can start you out on the right foot, so to speak.

One my friends who is a pretty avid runner uses interval training to increase his conditions. Simply put an interval is a specific amount of time or distance at a specific pace. You alternate between a pace that would be too difficult for you to sustain for a long period and a pace that you could do with moderate exertion, meaning you could carry on a conversation as you do it. The more of this you do the faster your pace will become.

Find what you can do without having to stop – walking; walking fast; walking fast while swinging your arms way out; light jogging without swinging your arms (baby steps!); then work up to a full run from there. If you have to stop to catch your breath, your trying a step that you’re not yet ready for. You can work up to it!

Just start out slowly and you will gradually build fitness. Remember that consistency is the best thing you could focus on at this stage. Running short sessions five days per week is better than running a single 1 hour session per week.