How to breathe while running!

Coach Crowe answers different questions throughout our Winter Challenge.

How should we breathe while running?

Coach Crowe: “Should I be thinking about how I breathe when I run, and should it differ in training versus a race?”.  Should my breathing always be in through the nose and out through the mouth?”

Our sport is aerobic, the energy systems necessary to run long distances are fueled by glycogen and oxygen.  I think it is important to intake as much oxygen as possible when running and I always recommend breathing in and out through both the nose and mouth at the same time.  On easy recovery or maintenance runs breathing should also be relaxed.  The old saying is during these types of runs you should be able to hold a conversation.  During a race or a hard work out, the opposite is in effect and breathing will be more labored and it should be difficult to speak more than a few words at best.  An interesting side note: the great Portuguese distance runner Rui Silva in workouts would hold his breath during the last 150 meters of a repetition.  He used this technique to force himself into the oxygen debt experienced at the end of an 800- or 1500-meter race.”