How to Regulate Breathing in Military Cadence

Everybody has heard the familiar bark of a drill sergeant either through movies or maybe as the ROTC jogs past you on campus. To the untrained ear, the drill sergeant is just yelling at these cadets to run faster. However, there is a theory behind these cadences, songs or chants that a military jog uses. By regulating a cadence, anyone can run faster and harder than they ever imagined.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Learn a military cadence. These will all be monotonous chants and songs. Find one that you can learn and memorize for the duration of a long jog.

2. Download military cadences to an MP3 player if you do not think you can memorize one. There are countless cadences available either for free or for a small charge. Load these up onto your player before jogging. Run with the US Army Rangers by downloading cadences for free (see link in Resources below).

3. Begin jogging at your normal pace. Include your MP3s or memorized songs and sing along. Start slow if you have to or write down the lyrics on a small piece of paper and fold it in a pocket to keep with you. The important thing is to chant the lyrics as you run.

4. Adjust your running speed and power to fit the cadence. A successful cadence will help you slide into a pace and not think about the distances you are running. Some military cadets claim the effect is similar to a trance you put on your body. Before you know it, you have run further than you imagined. This is thanks to the unconscious regulations on breathing.

5. Change the song you sing and see how it affects your pace and your breathing. Every cadence was developed, written and practiced to help runners achieve maximum results. Find some that fit your needs and your running style, or make up your own.

Resources

• U.S. Army Rangers cadence download