A little background: I've been trying to BE a runner for years now.  I say try because I always hit a wall and/or get too busy, make excuses, etc . . . then before I know it, it's been months since I've run and I have to start all over again. Well, I'm finally done with that and have made a committment to myself to JUST DO IT this time!! 

This time around (started about a month ago) I've committed to running at least three times a week with a goal of reaching 9 miles a week (3 miles/3 times a week) by my 31st birthday - January 25th.  When I made that commitment to myself I could already run a mile, though slowly and with effort.  So, my plan was to increase mileage at a rate of 1/10th of the overall distance per week.  Since I started at a mile, that basically means I was increasing about a tenth of a mile for my runs, each week (ex: 1 mile 3x/week,1.1 miles 3x/week, 1.2 miles 3x/week, etc).  Well, the first few weeks went just fine but I've noticed over the last week or so, every single one of my runs has been increasingly difficult and just . . . dreadful!!  I notice that once I get to about the mile mark and/or just over 10 minutes in, I'm out of breath.  It's like I can't get a good breathing rhythm or something and don't feel like I'm getting any full breaths.  Today for example I started getting tired around the mile mark and, though I was supposed to run a 1.4, I ended up walking a portion of the 1 mile point, and then ran a bit more - but didn't do the 1.4 because I just couldn't breathe. 

Anyway, I don't want to let this problem get in the way of my goals. I really don't feel like increasing mileage at such a slow (and recommended) rate should be this difficult.  I'm sure I'm not the only person who's experienced this . . . so, does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm all ears!!  Thanks!!