Breathing while running

Simple right? Well, not exactly. There are ways to breath while running that can make you a more efficient and faster runner. Also, it can make running a little less painful. Most people have no thoughts at all about breathing, until it becomes hard to breath and then that's a problem. There are two things that runners should consider about breathing. First, try to breath using your stomach. Look at it, watch it go in and out as you inhale and exhale. Why is this better than breathing with your chest? Aren't the lungs in the chest. Well yes, but the diaphragm is at the bottom center of your chest. Breathing using your stomach frees up the diaphragm, allowing more oxygen to get into your lungs which as you should know by now, make running easier and less painful. More oxygen gets into the bloodstream, muscles are fed and work better. Secondly, breathing in a rhythm is an excellent way to pace yourself, want to slow down, breath slower, faster, start breathing faster. One of the most common things new runners are advised to do is run at a pace where you can carry on a conversation. If you can talk and run, that means you are getting in enough oxygen. That is fine if you want to jog at an easy pace for a little exercise and enjoy the scenery. If you want to go faster, you need to skip the conversation. Breath in a rhythm that matches your arm swing and leg cadence. Think "steam engine" on a train, Try inhaling every other step. You should get less side stiches and feel more comfortable on your runs. Okay? Everybody exhale..................................................