i just started jogging..i ran a mile yesterday..and a mile today..

i feel ok for the most part..the last bit gets tiring but i assume its just because im out of shape..well anyway..

about 5 minutes after i finish..my lungs begin to hurt really bad ..i smoked cigarettes pretty heavily for like 5 years..but i quit two years ago....

i was wondering if anyone knew any way to reduce this or if i just have to keep running and somehow it will go away..it just burns really bad and feels like someone shot me in the lungs.. are there any breathing methods i can try while running etc??

one more question..is a mile good enough to stick to or should i increase gradually? i just want to be healthier..not looking to run a marathon
thanks

I just recently started running again, too! Today was day number 3 for me. :vebo:

I can't speak with absolute certainty, but I would assume that smoking in your past is what is making your lungs hurt, presently. I smoked for about a year and just quit the day that I started running again because my first day running was absolute hell (the pain in my lungs was rediculous- I could hardly make it half of mile).
Mind you, I used to be able to run 5 miles on a normal day and 7 or 8 on a good day (this was about 2 1/2 years ago before I was smoking), so running so little made me feel like a total failure.
I would suggest continuing with what you're doing. Also, push yourself. Add a few yards every time you run. This will allow you to increase your run very gradually- if you run exactly one mile every day then your body will get so used to it that it won't even be a challenge anymore. Try to add to it slowly, over time!

Schu,

I would recommend a visit to http://www.coolrunning.com/ Check out their Community tab. There's a lot of good basic info that would be helpful to a someone just getting into running.

I'm not sure about the burning sensation, but anyone starting up cardio activity can expect your lungs to get a workout too. My lungs get sore and tired like my muscles after a hard run or when i return to running after taking time off.

I too was a smoker, but i tossed my camel lights 3 years ago and bought a new pair of running shoes. Boy, am I glad I did. Just did my first half marathon this year. The best advice that I could give to a new runner is get the right shoes to prevent all those little pangs that most runners complain about and very important -->> start out slowly. Your joints, bones, muscles, and lungs need time to adjust to your new activity. don't go for distance in the beginning. Just tell yourself you are going out for 15 minutes... and if you have to walk.. well, walk. Then start up again when your heart rate goes down. After a while you won't have to walk anymore. Your body will be strong enough and in shape. Just give it time.

Good luck. I'm glad you ventured into the running world. It's a great place to be ;)

What do you mean by "lung pain?"

Definitely breathe deeply after you run when it hurts. Short shallow breaths won't make anything better...keep breathing deeply in and out and it should feel a little bit better :)

What do you mean by "lung pain?"

it just feels like someone shoots me in the lungs at the end of a mile jog...i guess it must just be my beat up lungs/out of shapeness

was the air cold outside?

If it persists, I'd go see a doctor. There is a possibility that something might be wrong.

I used to get sharp cramp like pains under my rib cage, when I ran. There are three things I found to alleviate the problem:

1) Stay hydrated! Just don't drink a lot right before the run.

2) Don't eat a large meal just before running. Besides the sloshing around of food, it always feels like my body is using most of its energy and bloodflow to digest, rather than run.

3) Don't push yourself, but keep trying. I used to run for a few minutes with the pain. It usually stopped so I could continue running. When it didn't I decided to do a fast paced walk instead. Now, I can run 3-6 miles without crampage :yes:

I would if it continues go see a Dr. It could be a sign of Pulmonary Embolism. Then again it might be nothing....I just worry a lot bout PE's myself and that sounds like some symptoms of one...

it just feels like someone shoots me in the lungs at the end of a mile jog...i guess it must just be my beat up lungs/out of shapeness

Right after I quit smoking (a little over a year ago now) I started to run and my lungs hurt like crazy too. My chest would get very tight-feeling, and my lungs would hurt. It gradually got better as my lungs healed up and now I don't have this experience at all anymore.
Hopefully in time this will be your experience too, Schu.

Jinga's advice is good advice too. :yes:

I still get lung pain from time to time when I run. X-smoker ay, I was too when I started running and yes, that will cause some pain. Also, like ebola mentioned, if it's cold out then yup, ouch this can cause lung pain. I think what Jinga brought up sounds more like a side stitch (not really anything to do with the lungs)...very painful though, and her recommendations are the best advice for them.
To help your pain I would agree with what annabanana said, breathe deep after your run; take slow and deep as you can breaths after your run...even if it hurts. Think of it as stretching your lungs.
You can do it schu…keep it up! :hamster:

I figured I would post on this thread instead of starting a new one...I usually run for about 4 miles at a time. I ran Friday night and ever since my abs have felt really sore, almost like I've been doing sit-ups! Is this normal? It feels sore when I take a deep breath.

Also, how can you avoid blisters? I keep getting the same one on my foot after I run, is there something I can do (extra socks, band-aid, etc) to keep that part of my foot from rubbing against my shoe so much?

just start your jogging slowly, then gradually try to go faster and faster.

Also, how can you avoid blisters? I keep getting the same one on my foot after I run, is there something I can do (extra socks, band-aid, etc) to keep that part of my foot from rubbing against my shoe so much?[/QUOTE]

When I went to a pro running shop to get fitted for new shoes, the guy there told me that just about every single person who starts running buys shoes that are too small for running in. I ended up buying a 1/2 size bigger than I normally wear and my feet are so much more comfortable! Your feet swell after you've been running for a while - so having some room in the shoes is a good plan. This might not solve the blister, mind you, but it *is* a good tip.

maybe buy a stretchable material so it can "form" to your feet. Eventually shoes will stretch to form around your feet

Yes, buy your running shoes a 1/2 size bigger. The socks you wear can also make a difference, I wear Goldtoe they have made all the difference...no more blisters for me.
WufDeac, the ab pain I'm not sure about? Never had that...it doesn't sound normal...did you pull something?

Hmm...back to the lung pain- yeah I do kinda think it is unusual per se. Have you been screened by a doc before starting on this program?
I know I got side and neck stitches when I first started running. I even had a pressure like sensation in my left chest area. But I have never had trouble breathing. Of course, then, neither am I an ex-smoker.
Get it checked into...