Out of breath during recent runs

How frequently do you breathe?  I was surprised to find out that my wife breathes only every sixth step when she runs.  I have tried to encourage her to breathe every fourth step in order to facilitate longer and/or faster running for her.  The thing that makes you feel out of breath is not the lack of oxygen.  Rather, it's an over-accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body.  If you are holding your breathe while running, it will make you feel like you are out of breath.

Make sure that you get rid of all your air on each exhale to be rid of all the CO2.  Besides, the plants need it.

Yeah, so maybe you are on the other end of the spectrum - you're nearly hyperventilating.  Every other step seems way to quick.  What you might try is to shorten and quicken your cadence and try to breathe every fourth step.  By shortening your stride, you can take more steps and move only slightly faster than you have been.

I may also be way off base.  it is very difficult to make any recommendation without seeing you actually run...