Can't Breathe up Hills!!

[Duck on Wheels]

I have the same problem, and yes, to some extent it is asthma in my case. But there's also a just-plain-out-of-shape aspect and a psychological aspect, and that last one also relates to a breathing technique aspect. The psychological thing is that when I "know" (anticipate, think) I'm doing something that's going to be tough, I tighten up my abs and almost hold my breath. One answer to that is to concentrate on breathing OUT. Blow out actively and in will take care of itself, especially if you manage to relax your abs a bit, and your shoulders, and just about every part of your body except your legs -- they're the only bits that really need to work hard. I can't say if this is really going to work for me. It's too snowy and icy outside. But I've been practicing thinking this way in the gym (spin class) and when walking hills and it seems to be working there.