Help! I'm running outta breath, but only sort of, and I'm confused.

So... I've been going to the gym for the past few months (go me!) and I've been doing weight training a few times a week and cardio 4-5 days a week (again, go me!).  I like using the elliptical trainer, because it's easier on my joints than pavement and I can work up a good sweat.  Occasionally I'll treadmill it, but I can't go too fast (because I'm clumsy and almost broke my head open on one when I was younger).

Well, I was feeling a bit restless tonight, and the gym was closed.  I decided to go to the park for a jog instead and was reminded of why I have a hard time jogging outside.  For some reason, I get short of breath really easily.  My heart rate doesn't get pounding, and I don't get the chance to work up a sweat.  It just gets REALLY hard to breathe.  It almost feels like someone's stepping on my throat.

I usually do 45 minutes at a steady 5-6 mph on the elliptical just fine, and I come back to a normal heart rate and all that.  Whenever I try to run/jog/walk-superfast outside, I get like this. 

All of your thoughts are appreciated! :)

well, exercise is not enough if you don't have vitamins / supplements.. :)

before and after training you should drink at least 1 liter of water.. :)

when you run, your circulation increases and your body needs a lot of water coz a lot of sweats came out.. :)

In my opinion, the hardest part about being a beginner at running is learning to breath properly.  When I started (a couple years ago) I began outside, too.  I'd be gasping for breath before I'd actually be sore or tired.  After a while, though, you stop over-thinking it and your breathing adopts a cadence conducive to running--deep and controlled.  It also helps to find a pace that's comfortable.

I would suggest jogging kind of slow until you get used to breathing correctly.  I have seasonal allergies, but I don't get wheezy or anything when I jog outside.  Running is different from than elliptical (for me at least), it's just a different kind of stress you have to get used to!

You also might have allergies. It's that time of year, and if you aren't used to being active outside you might not have noticed them before.

I'm pretty sure I don't have allergies, and I drink enough water in a day to drown a whale, but those are helpful things to consider.  I think you might be right, killerqueen, I'm just not used to it.  Even when I keep a really slow pace, I get like that.

I pushed myself pretty hard at the gym today, and while I ran out of breath, I recovered quickly.  Whenever I try to go outside, it's much harder tp recover from that.  Last night, I still felt the feeling when I was just hanging out at home browsing CC.

There are a lot of factors with running outdoors as compared to indoors on a treadmill.  For starters, you have little to no resistance on a treadmill. Outdoors there is road resistance, wind resistance, and hills. There are numerous enviromental factors as well, as mentioned by others above. Even if you don't have allergies, you will be breathing in car exhaust, pollen, dust, etc. when you venture outdoors. While a treadmill sets and maintains a pace for you - your pace may vary outdoors. Speeding up a little can increase your heartrate. Trainers will recommend that in order to level out the treadmill vs. road differences, set your treadmill at an elevation of 1. This will be similar to the resistance you will experience outside. And, expect to run a little slower outdoors than you would on a treadmill.

I can't run for that reason, too. I can do the elliptical and even Spin class, all day long -- but no running. My allergist says I have "exercise induced" asthma... but how that can that be specific to ONLY running? I'm sure it has to do with the WAY i'm breathing.

I was told by a runner to "build up to it" by jogging only at a pace where you can still hold a conversation without sounding winded. Practice breathing at that level until you get it right, then step up the speed/distance. I'm a wimp and haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like a good place to start. I would LOVE to be able to run outside for an hour instead of lugging my a$$ to the gym for my cardio.

i agree, i think running puts a whole new kind of stress on the body and i think its alot harder than the elliptical.  especially running outside, which is harder than the treadmill (on a treadmill the belt moves under you where as outside you have to propel yourself forward).  

personally, running feels more cardiovascular and elliptical feels more like its working my leg muscles more than anything (to a painful burn!)  i think you will get used to the more cardiovascular workout of running and it will get easier

also, are you running in cold weather? the cold air may be burning your lungs

lastly, do you have any history of asthma?  there is  such a thing called "exercise induced asthma" but this usually happens AFTER a workout and not during.  the idea is that your airways are cooled off while you are exercising from all the heavy breathing (and possibly cold outside air).  when your airways re-warm after your workout, it triggers your airways to constrict and creates the symptoms of asthma (chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath)

contrary to popular belief, ability in cardiovascular exercise does NOT make you better suited to start a different cardiovascular activity. that is why people suggest that you switch up your routine:  bec every time you do, it's a shock to your body.

you can't transition from treadmill to pool to bike to outdoor running to rollerblading to rowing.  according to reports, lance armstrong ran a pretty sorry marathon.  but this is good and okay!  it means you're human!  a few practice runs at a slow pace, some pushing on your part, and you'll be sprinting the streets in no time.

I get the same way. I can do the elliptical machine for an hr before losing my wind. But running for some reason my breathing is not as controlled as I thought it would be. I think you still have to condition yourself for running and getting your breathing under control. I hope this helps

try the rowing machine, its low impact on knee joints, but a very good workout!

This sounds to me like Asthma. When I finally decided it was time to learn to run (when I was 22 or 23 in college), I would reach a point where I was so out of breath and dizzy that I finally went to a doctor who diagnosed the trouble. I never had asthma as a child.

Now that I know what it is, I use an inhaler before I exercise and I don't have as much trouble.

Since my asthma wasn't bad, I didn't have many symptoms unless I was really pushing myself hard. (ei, running, not jogging). Also, cold air or dusty/windy conditions will also trigger the tight feeling.

Before I was diagnosed, I had one episode where I went backpacking with friends. I hiked all day with no trouble, but we weren't going very fast. But that night I woke up in the middle of the night completely out of breath. I had to get up and sit outside the tent. At the time I thought it must be the altitude, but it didn't happen to anyone else.

Good luck!