Runners: how do you breathe?

Sabine_Stroehm
Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
In through your nose, out through your mouth? In and out with your mouth? Your nose?

I'm trying to improve my breathing during running and cycling on hills. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Replies

  • jlcl119
    jlcl119 Posts: 51
    In through my mouth and out through both. I also breathe into my belly and not into my chest.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    I don't think about it. It just happens.
  • sapalee
    sapalee Posts: 409 Member
    In nose out mouth is what I try for. Usually in for 3 counts, out for 2. As my endurance has improved I've been able to do more in for 2, out for 2. Or just nice big easy in and out.
  • nwhitley
    nwhitley Posts: 619
    I don't think about it. It just happens.
  • aj_31
    aj_31 Posts: 994 Member
    Usually in and our of my mouth. I would like to breath in and out of my nose but I feel like I don't get enough air but then again I'm not an experienced runner.
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    Any and every way possible...............
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Horribly.

    I'm working to improve this, but I sound like a dying cat when I run. I feel fine, but it's just awful.

    I do best when I don't pay any attention to my breathing - it helps to have wind or LOUD music!
  • JellyButter
    JellyButter Posts: 160 Member
    Through the nose, out the mouth.
    Usually I try not to think about it...
  • farmgirlsuz
    farmgirlsuz Posts: 351 Member
    Depends on how buggie it is. Pretty sure I get a little extra protein everytime! :grumble: :frown: :sick:
  • mamaclose
    mamaclose Posts: 179 Member
    In through my nose out through my mouth. But I usually don't pay attention if I have headphones in. During some races you are not allowed to wear headphones and that's when I actually pay attention to my breathing.
  • johncole90
    johncole90 Posts: 23
    There is no right way in my opinion. Do what feels right to you and don't think about it. Once you think about it, it becomes a distraction that will hurt your performance.
  • JBApplebee
    JBApplebee Posts: 481 Member
    In through the mouth & out through the mouth, because you'll get more oxygen that way & I need every bit I can get when I run!
  • phillieschic
    phillieschic Posts: 615
    In through the nose for three strides...out through the mouth for three strides. I pay lots of attention to my breathing...it can make or break me some days.

    After I get going I don't think about it as much but I am VERY on top of it for the first mile.
  • faffajane
    faffajane Posts: 7 Member
    In any which way that is possible! Usually in and out through my mouth though!
  • usernamekelly1
    usernamekelly1 Posts: 1,941 Member
    I'm new to running but I breathe in through nose out through month at the same time as my steps.
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    Any and every way possible...............

    This!

    I usually try not to think about it because once I start thinking about it, I start over analyzing it. I do pay attention if I start getting a stitch in my side because I read somewhere that can fixed by breathing in for 4 beats and out for 3 beats. Not sure how true that is, but it usually works when it happens to me.
  • kmoore02
    kmoore02 Posts: 167 Member
    I breath through my mouth but with my belly and not my chest. Belly breathing is the secret...
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I'm definitely a mouth breather when I'm running....
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    To quote the legendary New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard, when asked how runners should breathe, “Breathe through your mouth. Breathe through your nose. Suck the air in through your ears, if you can.”
  • 9jenn9
    9jenn9 Posts: 309 Member
    Horribly.

    I'm working to improve this, but I sound like a dying cat when I run. I feel fine, but it's just awful.

    I do best when I don't pay any attention to my breathing - it helps to have wind or LOUD music!

    This^^Although I sound more like a bagpipe. Thank God for ear buds. I feel sorry for the people next to me at the gym!
  • kmoore02
    kmoore02 Posts: 167 Member
    Horribly.

    I'm working to improve this, but I sound like a dying cat when I run. I feel fine, but it's just awful.

    I do best when I don't pay any attention to my breathing - it helps to have wind or LOUD music!

    This^^Although I sound more like a bagpipe. Thank God for ear buds. I feel sorry for the people next to me at the gym!


    I have found that getting as much oxygen in and out; breathing through your belly and not your chest will make you a much quieter runner. It really gives you more control over your breathing and you won't feel winded. My legs get tired before my wind runs out.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Horribly.

    I'm working to improve this, but I sound like a dying cat when I run. I feel fine, but it's just awful.

    I do best when I don't pay any attention to my breathing - it helps to have wind or LOUD music!

    This^^Although I sound more like a bagpipe. Thank God for ear buds. I feel sorry for the people next to me at the gym!


    I have found that getting as much oxygen in and out; breathing through your belly and not your chest will make you a much quieter runner. It really gives you more control over your breathing and you won't feel winded. My legs get tired before my wind runs out.

    Yes, I try to focus on filling up my stomach and breathing "outward" instead of "up and down" in my chest. However, it doesn't stop the noise, lol!
    I don't do too bad on a treadmill, but I mostly run outside and that's where the problems are. It's getting better (according to my running partner.....poor girl - she has to slow her pace and listen to me!) but I definitely still make some noise.
  • christinehetz80
    christinehetz80 Posts: 490 Member
    I believe you have to do what you feel is best for your body, but I learned in bikram that mouth breathing (like panting) induces your fight or flight responses and increases your heart rate. I tried breathing only through my nose the following run day after I learned that and my heart rate was a good 10-15 beats lower than before. So I try to breathe through my nose. If I do breath through my mouth I try to take good cleansing deep breaths and go back to my nose breathing when possible. :)
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Thanks guys. It was yoga that got me thinking about it. Since they say it induces fight or flight as christine said above. My husband is an avid runner and very much nose/mouth.

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