[Helen]

Hi

I hope someone can give me some advice. I would like to loose some weight and tone up as I would like to get pregnant this year.
My husband and I have gone jogging before which I enjoy but I do have problems controlling me breathing. I know that there must be some techniques that people use.
Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks a lot
Helen

 

[selectomatic]

It's difficult to advise on breathing but I would try to get a rhythm with your feet, so breath in (left step, right step), out (left step, right step) and so on. If you are running slower you could try in (four steps), out (four steps).

 

[everest2005]

I read Paula Radcliffe's autobiography recently and she said that when she's struggling she counts to 100 in her head 3 times, by which time she has covered 1 mile. I tried it and found it took my mind off my heavy breathing. A lot of people say that listening to music while you run helps too...

 

[Don Minquez]

I just breath how or when I can. During races when I'm pushing myself, I'll normally find that losing all sense of dignity helps clear the passageways (read that as basically covering myself head to toe in expelled snot and flob!).

MY advice would be not to think to hard about actual technique, just don't try and pretend that you're not huffing and puffing.

 

[The Count]

If I'm going slowly I breathe on every 3rd step but usually it's every 2. Another tip is if you have a stitch then breathe out hard on the opposite foot from the side of the stitch.

e.g. Stitch on left side, breathe out hard on right foot strike. Also breathe in on right foot strike.

 

[everest2005]

Nice tip! I'm always getting a stitch, will have to give that one a try.

 

[Don Minquez]

Really? I can't think about breathing when I run. I just sort of do it!

 

[everest2005]

Really? I can't think about breathing when I run. I just sort of do it!

I think thats the best way, some people become preoccupied with focusing on their breathing.

 

[Don Minquez]

For me, what the Count says is too focussed... He'll be reccommending doing the hokey cokey in a minute! ;-)

 

[The Count]

The count to 100 trick works in a race where you're struggling. I did it at Loch Ness marathon for about 10K. Not the best time I've had...

Put your leg leg in.....your left leg out...

 

[Don Minquez]

Doesn't Paula do it backwards? (counting that is)

One word of advice though... PLease don't grunt! Grunting is annoying because it's normally a sign that I'm going to be overtaken by a 3 million year old man dressed in his club shirt from the 1820's!

 

[Duck Girl]

don't think too hard, and remember, if you are going fast you should be gasping!
as a beginner though, try to run at about conversational pace - so you should be able to chat fairly comfortably to a friend all the way round.

 

[Greg]

As a beginner, if you find it difficult to "control your breathing" then it means you're going too fast. The key to developing endurance is to run very slowly for gradually longer and longer. If you can't have a conversation, then you're running too fast. Slow down, even if it feels odd and awkward. All you'll achieve by running too fast is get knackered, dispirited, and give up.

 

[Duck Girl]

^ what he said.

 

[debbo]

That stitch thing works very well.

If I tried to count to 100 three times whilst running I'd probably lose track and get distracted, which is probably the point anyway.

 

[Greg]

I find I do the counting bit without noticing. Quite often I'll be "snapping out of it" and find I'm going "68, 69.." without realising.

 

[Dragon Breath]

Run with someone and try to keep talking all the way. That way you won't think about your breathing, if you can keep talking you are running at the right pace for you!

 

[Greg]

Something I discoverd at the week-end which you should never ever do is run while listening to Jack Dee live at the Apollo, or I'm sorry I haven't a clue. I found it was really hard to run and laugh out loud at the same time. Plus, other runners and cyclists must have thought I was seriously deranged...

 

[Paul]

Breathing

Hi i have found that breathing through my nose only enables me to not over do it and clear my airways at the same time, also i do find if i go running with a friend and hold a conversation whilst running it stops me from running to hard and my breathing seems to settle because of this

 

[NFRoadRunner]

Hi i have found that breathing through my nose only enables me to not over do it and clear my airways at the same time, also i do find if i go running with a friend and hold a conversation whilst running it stops me from running to hard and my breathing seems to settle because of this

Excellent advice Paul.

For more on nasal breathing, see the below article - scroll about a third of the way down the page to the section entitled "Hold Your Breath" (although do take the time to read the whole article as well)

http://www.tullyrunners.com/Articles/RaucciArticle.htm