breathing techniques?

I am currently training using the couch25k program.  so far so good...my jogging has sped up and I am feeling more comfortable with my pace.  however I seem to be struggling with breathing.  I don't know if its the cold (jogged in 17 degree snowy mess last night), or that I am not breathing deep enough, but I can't seem to catch my breath. I literally sound like a dying dog...I am embarressed to training in-doors on the treadmill, because I fear my breathing will scare someone into thinking I am having a heart attack lol. 

But seriously does anyone has some techniques on how to get my breathing under control? I've been told that I should be able to hold a conversation while jogging, that is not the case now, I can barely say a sentence without huffing & puffing.

thanks :)

As your fitness improves, the breathing will get better. Have you ever been diagnosed with Sports Induced Asthma? If you have that (Like Me) It gets triggered and gets worse in the cold. Practice breathing in your nose and out your mouth while jogging. If you are panting, and breathing completely through your mouth, you may be running really hard and not just "Jogging". Best of luck and congrats on the new healthy lifestyle...

thank you : )

after reading your reply I realize that I am not breathing in thru my nose mainly bascially because its running so bad from the cold temp.  I will practice this now...I hope I can get control because the panting is getting embarassing lol

Make sure you take some deep inhales and some exhales as well.
During my runs I will have to almost reset myself.  make sure I am upright so that I can take a deep breath in and another out.  I do this a couple times, then relax back into my normal pattern.

This really helps me with my breathing.

I was the same way when I first started. It gets better with time.

 I too was the same.  A trainer advised a 4-6-4 breathing  pattern that helped me.  

Based on your own pace, breath in through your nose for 4 paces (right-left-right-left) then out through your mouth for 4 paces (R-L-R-L);

next do the same in through the nose for 6 (R-L-R-L-R-L) out through the mouth for 6,

then back to 4.  In through nose R-L-R-L out through mouth R-L-R-L.

Repeat the 4-6-4 pattern, then it looks like 4-6-4-4-6-4-4-6-4-4-6-4...

The pattern is similar to quick cadence that Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers use in their runs...you know the old "Hut-2-3-4"

Watch out for "over" breathing as you don't want to hyperventilate.  

The breathing should feel very natural and almost cleansing as you run at your pace.

Good luck!