Bad habits when running

[stevy]

Hi everyone,Thanks for all your encouraging words yesterday. The 2 biggest issues I have found when l am running is,-lfind my myself looking down at my feet alot;l try tofix it by raising my head but ten mins later am doing it again.The other thing is my breathing,-- any suggestions or help even? Stevy

[Michael_W Graduate]

You're at the third stage of competence: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_...

I remember being exactly the same during the c25k programme, always looking at my feet. Reminded me of when I was a learner driver, constantly looking at the gear stick instead of the road ahead!

Try not to worry about either because they're not issues at all. Once you've gained more experience you'll start to look up and your breathing will settle in to a natural rhythm as you get fitter. Good luck!

[stevy in reply to Michael_W]

Thanks Michaelw,l guess l am abit paranoid about it.Funny thing thou am such a perfectionist.

[Ditchingthebiscuits]

I do this too! ( week 5 on c25k) and try hard to self correct also. So following this thread for helpful hints ... good luck with it all!

[stevy in reply to Ditchingthebiscuits]

Not sure if I replied thanks,at least am not the only one with this problem

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

Not sure if it is true or not but I have been told that if your head is down it affects your breathing, so, keep your head up, keep looking at the view in front of you and hold your head up - hopefully this will also help your breathing.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Runners should never look ahead - they should always look backwards to see how far they have come since they started

[stevy in reply to Bazza1234]

l understand Bazzer but it could be misinterpreted

[AlbertRoss Graduate]

I found that having had no real rhythm to my breathing at all (despite Laura's best efforts) that it suddenly came right about week 8 - I can't say how or why.... it now tends to remain fairly constant until I'm towards the end of whatever run I'm doing, or if I'm making more than a normal effort (such as the finishing burst at higher tempo on Stamina or Stepping Stone)....

[stevy in reply to AlbertRoss]

Thanks,AlbertRoss,l am abit impatient. I love running now and am nit-picking myself.

[Katie204 Graduate]

Just keep gently correcting yourself every time you start looking down. As mcgurranhouse says, it's best to focus on looking ahead - try to focus on a point about 50-100 metres in front of you. This will help you keep your head and body straight, and will help with your breathing.

[stevy in reply to Katie204]

Good advice,thanks Katie

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Stevy, if you try and keep your shoulders down and relaxed it straightens your back. Head up, looking about 10 feet in front of you. This stance opens up your chest and allows more oxygen into your lungs. Your breathing becomes aerobic after the first 8 mins or so and settles into a more relaxed rhythm. Easing into your run will limit the lactic acid from building up before you are fully oxygenated.

I would think looking down will effect your breathing. Your core muscles get stronger from keeping a more upright position too.

This is all stuff I have picked up along the way from Laura and on this forum and with my own experience. Everyone on here advocates keeping the running pace slow and steady, or you will run out of steam.

Hope you find it helpful.😊

[stevy in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Many thanks Jan,lovely,advice.lshall read it again to get it into my head.

[Worldsend Graduate]

I have to look down as pavement so dodgy

Breathing takes longer to master

Whilst gasping for air lat night swallowed a gnat

[stevy in reply to Worldsend]

l agree the area you run can be abot dodgy.l managed to relax a little and held my head up today it helped abit.Stevy

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

I found exhaling a couple of slow,deep breaths helped steady my breathing when my lungs felt really tight during my run.

Don't worry too much Stevy, just breathe as best you can..it does get easier.😊

[stevy in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thankyou,l must admit l do go life like"a bull in a china shop"everything has to happen.My wife try's to hold me back(difficult for her now) l would be daft to injure myself now llove this running.Stevy😊