Hi everyone,

Just to briefly provide some context, I'm a 26 year old, male, 5ft 8'', unfit and asthmatic. I've tried Couch to 5k a few times over the last few years, and complete it once (around 3 years ago). I've been on and off exercise for the last few years, and often find it hard to stick with it. I always take a puff of my inhaler before going to the gym.

I'm currently on Week 6, and today's run was a 5 run, 3 walk, 8 run, 3 walk, 5 run, and I really struggled in the final five. Throughout running, I often feel like I need to take a deep breath to get a satisfying breath, but I also have anxiety which complicates matters... so I'm often highly focused on my breath and how I'm breathing. This then makes me panic that I'm not getting enough oxygen, I momentarily go dizzy, and it's a negative cycle that goes on. I've had a few ECG's in the past, and the Dr's have never seemed particularly concerned when I've brought it up - so fingers crossed it's nothing with my heart. I also sweat A LOT... which I often find odd.

Today, I was really struggling with my breath (or thinking that I was), and towards the end of the run I felt really dizzy, which made me panic, which made matters worse. After the run I felt shaky, a bit 'out of it', and was still panicking. I do, however, think about the possibility of over-breathing... because I'm so focused on my breath, could I be taking in too much oxygen, which then makes me feel like I'm dizzy and out of breath?

After I was home, sat down for five minutes and had an apple, I felt totally fine.

Would really appreciate to hear other experiences... and I hope you're all well.

Thanks!