How to Run With Proper Breathing Technique

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By JM Austin
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Running is all about being in control. A professional runner may appear to be running naturally, but that athlete's run is as technical, disciplined, and precise as a professional golfer's golf swing. Learning to breathe correctly while running is an integral part of a good running technique. Following the steps below will help you improve your breathing technique while running.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A stopwatch

Step 1

Calculate your steps per minute by counting your steps for five minutes while running at a steady and moderately difficult pace. Divide your total by five. You should be taking around 180 steps per minute (average). If your steps per minute pace is significantly higher or lower than 180, you should work on correcting your overall running technique before focusing on breathing.
Step 2

As you run, breathe through your nose AND through your mouth. You need to get as much oxygen as possible, and if you try to breathe only through your nose or only through your mouth, breathing will require much more effort but it will yield less oxygen. Open your mouth, and take deep breaths (as deep as you can with a reasonable amount of effort).
Step 3

Control your breathing by timing your breaths with your strides. This will allow you to develop a rhythm and a pattern to your breathing. As you control your stride, your arms, your thoughts, and your breathing, you will be operating at a very efficient level.
Step 4

Adjust your breathing rate at any time if you are feeling short of breath or if you feel you are breathing faster than you need to. The pace at which you breathe will be determined by you and your physique. Some people have a large lung capacity and others don't. It's as simple as that. Breathe at a pace that feels comfortable to you, but keep that pace as steady as you can.