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It’s helpful to come round to thinking about breathing again. I usually do 3 breaths out and 2 in when I remember to do this. Maybe I could increase my cadence to do more breaths per cycle. I was thinking also that making sure I inhale properly would help the asymmetry to because I observed that breathing in properly on each side seems to make the shoulders level. So all good, but I do find both the inhaling and the odd numbered breathing to be tricky.
ReplyI’m going to find out whether or not I tend to always use either an odd or even number of steps when I run (and when I bike). I do know that I tend to think of my pedaling on my bike in groups of three.
ReplyThis sounds feasible, and I’ve been trying it over my last few runs (4 in, 3 out feels best to me too), but I’m wondering what your response is to this:
https://www.outsideonline.com/1783871/can-breathing-incorrectly-cause-running-injury
Apparently the author of the original study (Bramble) disagrees with Coates that it proves there’s a link between an even breathing pattern and injury–and even suggests, based on a later study, that 2-2 might be better.
I know that just because a study hasn’t proven something conclusively doesn’t mean it’s not true, but I’d be interested to read your response.
ReplyI forgot to ask too whether you recommend breathing through your nose or your mouth. I know Mark Cucuzzella breathes exclusively through his nose, but I’ve read other articles that suggest you should use your mouth because your body needs as much air as it can get.
I’ve experimented with this, and it *feels* like my breathing is better regulated (a bit smoother) when I breath through my nose, but sometimes I don’t feel like I’m getting enough air. I guess it depends on your level of exertion. I just don’t want to interfere too much with what my body does naturally.
ReplyDo you have an opinion on whether or not to breathe through your nose or mouth?
Thanks!
ReplyYes, Sarah–definitely through your nose most of the time. At very intense efforts you can breathe through your mouth, but that shouldn’t be too frequent or else you’ll end up overtraining and increasing your injury risk and your stress.
I wasn’t as clear on that when I wrote this post–it’s several years old–but I’m quite clear on it now.
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