Breathing and running

Im really wanting to sign up for a 5k in May. Ive been working out steadily since Christmas. Elliptical, treadmill,  Zumba and strength training 5 days a week. The past 3 weeks have been strictly gym and I've let Zumba take a back seat for this 5k.

I started a bootcamp class (running and conditioning) and have been seeing a personal trainer once a week.

Im really having a hard time breathing while running. I can rock the hell out of the elliptical and when Im on the treadmill I do hill intervals and never go below a 2.5 incline at 3.3 speed. Thats pretty fast for me as I have a short stride.  When jogging (really its more a shuffle/jog) I can maybe make it 50 yards outside and maybe 45 seconds on the treadmill (I think I could do more, but I dont want the other people in the gym thinking Im having an attack) I really cant breathe. Im sucking wind big time and It seriously sounds like Im having an athsma attack. Im sure thats not what it is, I figure I just need to work up my lung capacity. When Im done, my lungs hurt like a severe case of bronchitis for about an hour.

Any tips? I try to focus on breathing, but I still sound like Im being tortured. Is it just something I have to train for? Maybe May is too soon to try to do this? I think I could go a little farther if I could just breathe.

 running is it's own kind of workout...and building up the lungs is one of the hardest parts (for me).  I would really recommend following a running interval program like couch to 5k to get your lungs tuned up.  

You should also ask your trainer to listen to your breathing - they could probably tell you if it's normal "out of breath" or if you have some kind of exercise induced asthma.  (coughing is often a tell-tale sign)

I have the same trouble to some extent... my trainer said to try "timing" my breathing to my steps - so I count (1,2,3,4) and inhale during one set of numbers, then exhale 1,2,3,4

Most of the time when this happens, you are running too fast for your fitness level. Try slowing down and see if that helps.

I always have a problem when I focus on breathing. If a trainer says in your nose out your mouth dang it I am about to hyperventilate. So I put on my ipod sing along to the music and my head and I run/walk and I breath. I have run a half marathon before and I know you need to build up your lung capacity so start slow I agree the couch to 5k is great but also try to not focus on it. I need my music to distract me or I feel like I am focused on breathing and keeping myself in a rhythm.

Good Luck

Thanks for all the responses!! I ended up just trying to follow a c25k style program. Im slowly working on it and will use my bootcamp as a weekly brutal workout. Yes, I can definitely say its way over my fitness level, but Im doing what I can. Glad I didnt know what I was in for when I signed up! 

Im also going to purchase a couple more sessions with the trainer.

AND...

Ive done it...I signed up for my VERY FIRST 5K. Im all registered....and scared! I did make sure to check the box marked fun run/walk not race. May 19th.