Breathing and running

Some people breath 2 steps, out 2 steps, or some other similar thing to keep rhythm. It's important to conciously focus on the exhale, and get all of that bad air out.

Personally, I don't time my breaths to foot strikes though I do concentrate on slow deliberate breaths.  If I feel my breathing is getting out of control, I will begin to take slower, deeper breaths and try and hold them for about a second before exhaling, all while not changing my running pace.  this seems to work for me.


Edited by geepee 2009-09-20 8:19 PM

I'm a decent runner. When I am really pushing it, I concentrate on 3 breaths in, 2 out.

Next time you go out running, experiment a little. Try 2 out 2 in, or 2 out 3 in, etc until you find something that works for you. Nobody will be able to tell you that "this way is best" because they're not you. Find your breathing rhythm.

Good luck!

This is what I do.  It's still a battle for me at times but when I realize I'm having a tough run it usually comes down poor breathing.  At that point I focus more on slow, deliberate breaths.  I may though try to see if it matches up to a count so I can focus on that. 

Yups marathon pace 2 in 2 out (Zone 2), faster pace is 1 in 2 out (high zone 2 low zone 3) and home stretch 1 in 1 out for 2 breaths 1 in 2 out for 1 (high zone 3 low zone 4) and then 1 in 1 out (mid to high zone 4 and beyond) for last couple hundred yards, better be close to the finish line, cuz that won't hold for long.  Can you tell that I do not run with an IPOD. 

Thanks for the advice.  I'll give them all a try while I'm figuring out what works best for me.

NOTE .......

Breathing does NOT dictate pace.

Pace dictates breathing.

If you are having trouble breathing while you run.  Simple answer ....... slow down.