Why Breathing Actually Matters for Running (And How to Train It)

The RunRX Podcast

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29d ago 16:19

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In this episode Coaches Caroline and Valerie unpack the breathing craze—what’s helpful, what’s hype, and exactly how to use breathing drills to improve your running. They explain why breathing is a rhythm inside your run (not a distraction), how to practice breathing so it becomes automatic, and simple drills you can use in warm-ups to expand your chest, calm your panic response, and run longer/faster with less effort.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Breathing is part of running’s rhythm — practice it as a drill, not as a constant thought during your run.
✅ Drills (exaggerated practice) teach your body to take fuller, calmer breaths so your breathing becomes automatic in the “show.”
✅ Nose vs. mouth breathing: useful drills exist (and historical methods like Buteyko helped many), but don’t limit your breath during hard efforts — expand it when you need it.
✅ Use the exhale-first cue at the start of easy runs (exhale → inhale → run) to release tension and find a steady rhythm quickly.
✅ Chest expansion and intercostal mobility let you lift your torso, increase fall, and run with better elasticity — breathing mechanics help speed and endurance.
✅ Breathing devices and masks are toys — they can help with drills, but they don’t replace coached progressions and movement training.

What to try this week

Add a 5-minute breathing warm-up before runs: slow diaphragmatic breathing → chest expansion breath series → 2 minutes of fast, rhythmic exhale-focused steps.
Try a few drills off the run (bands, balloons, exaggerated chest opens) to feel your ribcage expand before you practice on the move.
If breath panic hits mid-run: stop → long exhale(s) → a short drill (ball-foot hops or marching) → restart.

SEO keywords (use these in platform tags & show notes)

Breathing for running, diaphragmatic breathing, running drills, breathing drills, run cadence breath, breath training for runners, RunRX Academy, expand chest running, exhale-first running cue.

Listen & follow

Watch breathing deep dives and demo drills on our YouTube channel: RunRX.
Download the RunRX Academy app (iOS & Android) for focused drill libraries, warm-ups, and guided breathing progressions.
Got a breathing question or want Valerie to review your drill form? Post a clip in the app or drop a comment on the latest episode — we read every message.

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