Howdy Runners!

We have reached the half way mark. I'm so proud of you. I appreciate all the hard work everyone is putting in. We will meet at the track tomorrow for our 1 mile run. After the 1 mile run we will head out to the trail for an easy, relaxed run. Tomorrow is what I call a recovery run. So take the opportunity to chat with your fellow runner and enjoy a nice easy trail run. It should be a lot of fun.

You are going to hear this announcement often. I have to sell the program and sometimes its a hard one to sell. All I ask is that you help me spread the word. The new Finish Line flyer is posted at the YMCA. We are once again offering the morning and evening class. It is a 6 week class. Morning classes start March 31 and evening classes start March 30th. The race is the Chuy's Hot to Trot 5K. Race day is May 9th. Cost for members is $35 and non-members is $50. Off-site childcare is available to YMCA members. Even if you are not planning on doing it please help me by passing the information along to your friends. I'm excited about doing this again but I can't do it without runners.


O.K. so its been a while since Ive posted. Here is some information on breathing and running. It really isn't as complicated as you might think. Most runners keep their mouth slightly open and breath in and out through their mouth. Your muscles need oxygen. When you pick up your pace its natural to be winded. You just simply have to adjust and make it as comfortable as you can. As you get in better running shape your breathing will adjust. Working hard will make breathing difficult no matter how good of shape you are in. The point of working out hard is to get into better shape...right? Here is some information ....

When you run, you get out of breath. This is normal. This is natural. Your body runs on oxygen, just as your automobile runs on gasoline. When you start to exercise--whether running, walking or any other physical activity--your muscles need more oxygen. The body meets this need by supplying oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. The lungs work harder to absorb this oxygen out of the air.You get out of breath.Without giving it much conscious thought, most runners breathe in a 2/2 rhythmic ratio. They take two steps as they inhale; they take two more steps as they exhale. While running very slowly, they often breathe in a 3/3 ratio. While running very fast, they might breathe 2/1, or 1/1, but 2/2 is much more common.If you count breaths in and out and discover you are breathing with a different rhythm, don't worry about it. Adjusting your breathing pattern will not make you a better runner.The same with whether you breathe through your nose or your mouth. Most runners naturally breathe through both. Famed New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard, when asked how runners should breathe, once replied: "Breathe through your mouth. Breathe through your nose. Suck the air in through your ears, if you can."Your jaw should be relaxed, your mouth slightly open. The oxygen will come through your nose and mouth to your lungs, to your blood and to your muscles without you needing to give it a lot of thought. Breathing is a very natural activity--and so is getting out of breath when you run.

If anyone has questions about anything...please ask.

Happy Running, Victoria